"The Silent Killer"........ Incompetent Cervix
My name is Jaquay Minor. On Sept. 21, 2011 I delivered my son Isaac Eugene Minor prematurely due to Incompetent Cervix. Incompetent Cervix is when the cervix opens before the baby is ready to be born. When I was experiencing certain pregnancy symptoms, (spotting, milky vaginal discharge & lower back pain) my doctor passed it off as normal pregnancy symptoms without having me come in & check for other possibilities. Incompetent Cervix is not routinely checked for & therefore is not diagnosed until AFTER a 2nd or 3rd trimester loss. No mother should have to lose one child in order to save the next. With that said, I am working in efforts to raise awareness so that a new law will be formed to enforce mandatory early testing for all pregnant women for Incompetent Cervix. Decades ago, the Glucose Screening Challenge test, also known as the "sugar test" was Not mandatory for all pregnant women but now is. Only 5% of pregnant women are diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. However, 25% of pregnant women lose their baby due to Incompetent Cervix. Once diagnosed, a stitch would be put in place to keep the cervix closed until it's time to deliver, this is called a Cervical Cerclage and it has an 80-90% success rate! Had I been checked, I could of had this procedure as well. I wasn't told I had an Incompetent Cervix until afterwards, therefore I wasn't able to save my son Isaac, but please help me leave his footprint on the world by saving other precious lives that aren't here yet. We can give these babies a chance at life by being their voice by having mandatory checks for Incompetent Cervix soon a woman finds out she is pregnant. Thanks to all for signing your name in hopes of making a difference. Remember: Every footprint is important no matter how small.
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