This report describes 40 consecutive emergency cerclages on dilated and effaced cervices prior to 26 weeks' gestation. These "emergency" cerclages were associated with a mean extension of gestational age of 12 weeks (range, 3 days to 20.5 weeks). Thirty-one of 40 pregnancies were carried to 28 weeks' gestation and 23 were carried to 34 weeks' gestation or greater. Twelve of 19 women with amniotic membranes bulging into the vagina carried pregnancies to 28 weeks' gestation, with seven of these 19 women carrying the gestation to 34 weeks' or beyond. There was no maternal morbidity. Thirty-four of 41 infants survived (83%). Two pregnancies delivered within 8 days of the procedure. Emergency cerclages should be considered as a management option in women with painless dilation of the cervix and previable gestation.