Self-Care Practices and Pregnancy Outcomes among Women undergoing Cervical Cerclage

Background: Cervical insufficiency is a well-recognized cause of recurrent second trimester pregnancy loss and preterm birth. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess self-care practices and pregnancy outcomes among women undergoing cervical cerclage. Subjects and method: Descriptive research design was used to conduct this study. This study was carried out in Egypt at the out-patient and inpatient obstetrical and gynecological departments of: Tanta and Kafr El-Sheikh University Hospitals, El-Menshawy General Hospital at Tanta city and Kafr El-Sheikh General Hospital. Stratified proportional sample of 150 pregnant women was included in the study. Three tools were used for data collection: Tool (I): Pregnant women's knowledge regarding cervical cerclage assessment sheet. It included Part one: Socio-demographic data of the pregnant women, Part two: Obstetric history of the pregnant women and Part three: Assessment of pregnant women's knowledge regarding cervical cerclage Tool (II): Pregnant women's self-care practices regarding cervical cerclage Tool (III): Pregnancy outcomes assessment tool. It included Part one: Maternal outcome and Part two: Neonatal outcome. Results: The current study revealed that 58% of the studied pregnant women had low level of Knowle regarding cervical cerclage with 79.3% of them had unsatisfactory practice level. Additionally, there was a statistically positive correlation between women's total score level of knowledge and their total score level of practice regarding cervical cerclage Conclusion: The studied nurses had poor level of knowledge and unsatisfactory practice regarding cervical cerclage. Recommendations: Developing antenatal classes for all pregnant women especially those at risk to increase their knowledge and enhance their practices regarding cervical cerclage.