LLETZ (cervix op) causing problems with future births?

[TruthSweet]

I had a LLETZ procedure in Oct '11 (large wide spread area of pre-cancerous cells was removed). At the time I was warned that it may cause pre-term labour or miscarriage but as I wasn't planning any more babies I didn't really pay too much attention . Well now I am pg (total surprise but a serendipity baby)

I prefer to HB (all being well with baby/me etc, etc) so am worried this will cause a problem or even worse I won't get to term and baby will be born too soon.

Does anyone have any experience of birth post LLETZ or have any guidance for me?

Taken from Colposcopy society website

Women's questions answered > Can treatment for abnormal cells cause problems for be in any future pregnancy?

Can treatment for abnormal cells cause problems for be in any future pregnancy?

Any treatment involves a balance between getting rid of any abnormal cells on the one hand and minimising any possible harm on the other hand. Clearly the more of your cervix which has been removed then the less supporting tissue for future pregnancies. Your colposcopist will recognise the importance of the cervix to support future pregnancies and will tend to remove as little tissue as possible while making sure the treatment is sucessful.

Women having had treatment for abnormal cells by loop excision may be at minor increased risk to deliver prematurely or preterm in later pregnancies. Other treatments such as laser or cold coagulation have not been associated with this adverse finding but these treatments may not be suitable for your problem. A type of treatment called cone biopsy (this usually requires admission to hospital and is performed whilst you are asleep with a general anaesthetic) or repeated treatments may also result in early delivery. If you have had multiple treatments and are pregnant or considering a pregnancy then you should speak to your GP or obstetrician.

While there currently appears to be no ideal way to judge this risk, your obstetrician or gynaecologist may advise a special scan early in pregnancy to measure the length of your cervix. In most cases this is normal but if not your doctor may recommend a cervical stitch (or cerclage) to provide additional support. This is generally fitted when you are pregnant with a short general anaesthetic and removed whilst you are awake shortly before your baby is due.

I had LLETZ a few years ago and delivered DC1 last month. I went 16 days overdue, nothing to do with the op. I was told by a consultant that I may deliver a couple of weeks early because of the op and I did have early scans to check viability ect. I've had a couple of different cervical treatments but it held closed for 42 + 2.

Best of luck

Thanks - I am worried about cerclages as I have heard they can cause miscarriages due to the infection risk (I am prone to womb infections anyway - I had one when they did the LLETZ) so I don't know what to do for the best.

I have had two scans as they were worried about bleeding (I didn't know I was pg until just before the GP appointment) and everything is fine but I am still having slight bleeds. I guess I want the impossible - a cast iron guarantee that everything will be well, or to be told early that it won't so I can prepare for the worst.

How far along are you? Have you had a referral to see a consultant? I was referred because of the surgeries I'd had but didn't get seen until 22 weeks. The consultant didn't even examine me but I wasn't too worried by that point, I'm sure if I'd asked they would.

Perhaps someone could take a look at your cervix to assure you that it's closed? Are you booked to have a stitch? You many not need one, honestly the risks are only slightly elevated and if your treatment was in Oct then you may have healed well enough already for this not to cause you any problems.

7 weeks so early days but I do like to be prepared.

I don't think the wound has healed yet as I have been bleeding nearly non-stop since the op which is what is really worrying me. It has varied from very very heavy bleeding (12 day periods and had 5 periods between end Sept and mid Dec) to sporadic spotting if I did any heavy lifting (I have small children so do a lot of lifting!).

Well I've never had a stitch so can't comment on that. Do you know if the bleeds are related to the op? I don't remember having bleeds as such, mainly lots of spotting and old blood type losses after my surgeries. Perhaps the bleeding has been hormonal? Any faffing about down there can screw with your hormones.

Have you got your booking in appointment arranged? When you go for it make sure you tell them all this, they may refer you to a consultant. You can ask your GP to check your cervix is closed although I'm not sure with subsequent babies whether a cervix ever closes back up completely so could be misleading. Try not to worry and stress too much, I'm sure you'll be fine. With me, apart from seeing a consultant once they didn't pay much attention to my surgeries and everything was fine.

There was a thread in pregnancy back in Dec about someone TTC after LLETZ and a few people posted with some positive stories, I can't find it but there are others out there who've been fine.

Not yet got my booking in sorted yet, been seen at the EPU a couple of times though. I have to have consultant care due to my epilepsy anyway so will see one regardless!

Thanks for the heads up on the other thread I'll look it out and have a read.

I know anecdotal stories don't really help, but I had LLETZ November 2010 and am now at the end of my pregnancy with twins and haven't had any issues. And twins are meant to come early too - clearly no one's told my cervix that!

Good luck getting it checked out.

I had 2 lots of LLETZ in 2004 then 2005. After that my cervix was too scarred up to let my periods out properly. We never realised it would make much difference in labour, hence a 12hr labour, 1cm dilation and an emergency section. The consultant was very relieved they never tried to induce me .

So, some people can go the other way and the cervix will be too tight. It's called cervical stenosis, but very rare.

Thanks rednellie & Meglet - I have to say Em.CS is my nightmare as I would need GA due to MH issues. Glad it worked out for you though.

Just before I found out I was pg (and not TTC) I read an article about cervical scar massage during labour - has anyone had that?