Birth after cervix operation

[zuzkah]

Hi there. I wonder is there anyone with a similar problem? I was diagnosed with HPV approx 10 years ago and had an operation on my cervix to remove the 'bad' cells. I ve heard that a birth after this kind of operation can be quicker? On the other hand, someone said that the scaring can make opening of the cervix harder. Anyone out there have gone through this?

I dont know, bumping for you

hello zuzkah, i had two procedures on my cervix, one under general anesthetic about 8 yrs ago, one under local, 4yrs ago, both were to remove bad cells that may have developed into cervical cancer. i have to see the consultant - this afternoon! - as apparantly my cervix may open too easily in which case they have to put a stitch in it so that i can carry the baby to term. I don't know if this is the same as what you have. i hope i will know more after the appmt this afternoon! also i did a search on mumsnet for LLETZ procedure which was the name of one of mine, also i did a search for threads on cervical stitch. Hope that helps! If not, this is at least a bump for you! xxx

zuzkah, I had a LEEP op on my cervix about six months ago to remove CIN III cells, am now 18 weeks rpegnant and have to go back to the colposcopy clinic on friday to have another smear and discuss my cervix as it were.
I'll be asking questions about any difference it will make during labour then so can let you know any answers I get.

Thanks girls a lot.
JackBlackRoady - I had only one operation about 9 years ago, also under general anesthetic. I know they are not using such an invasive procedure now which should not scare that much. Would be happy for any more info from your consultant.
VictoriaSqualor - I called my calposcopy clinic to let them know I was pregnant and they said to come at least once for a check up. When I came the doctor was just looking into the papers saying: 'We are going to repeat the procedure cos your results are not getting better.' So I said I was pregnant and she just replied 'So we are not going to bother you with an examination today. Come back in six months.' I was a bit shocked that she didn't want to check if my cervix was closed or do a smear. Because as JackBlackRoady mentioned there is a possibility that it might open easily.
BTW Im due next week and everything has been great so far. So good luck to you both!

I am watching this thread with interest. I had an LEEP under local 5 yrs ago and another treatment under general 1 yr ago both to remove bad cells. I am now ttc and didn't realise that previous treatments could cause issues. I wish they'd bloody told me when they did the treatments!

zuzkah I had LEEP procedure in Mar 05 for CIN111. I had my son in Oct 2007 and my labour and birth were fine. When I was pregnant with him I was told the procedure would have no affect on my pregnancy/labour/birth. However I believe since I have had him they have discovered that sometimes this can lead to premature labour-I think this depends on the number of procedures you have had and the amount of your cervix that is removed. Anyway, if you are a week off giving birth this is obviously not a problem for you. I really wouldn't worry about it affecting your labour. Pixie I would discuss your concerns with a consultant-when I had a twenty week scan at Kings they did check the length of my cervix.

I believe they usually avoid smears during pregnancy and for 3 months after giving birth, because the results that come back can be misleading.

This is what I found in Wilkipedia - 'The loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) does not appear to affect fertility. However, a recent study indicated that LEEP appears to increase the risk of premature rupture of the membranes during subsequent pregnancies which may lead to preterm delivery.'
And also : Risks Associated with Pregnancy After LEEP
Cervical Incompetence.Cervical incompetence is a condition in which the cervix is unable to stay closed during a pregnancy. It can result in miscarriage and preterm labor. Stitches can be placed in the cervix to help keep it closed, and is called a cervical cerclage.
Cervical Stenosis. Cervical stenosis is the tightening and narrowing of the cervix. This can cause the cervix difficulty in dilating during labor.
Btw my first operation was 'cold knife conization'. Sounds horrible, doesn't it? And I wasn't adviced on any risks either. Now I just pray I won't have the second condition mentioned! Well I'm going to google more as I have just realised I hadn't known or been informed much about these treatments. Although sometimes it might be better not to know too much as I'm worried now! 10 days before my DD! hmm

actually I had my son in 2006! Pixie I meant when you get pregnant I would discuss with a consultant. oh dear-not with it this evening

woo good luck zooka!

had laser treatment between DS1 & DS2; no probs with births of DS2 and DD (#3) cervix was more open than 'normal' during pg 3 (though they didnt stitch) and baby arrived just over 3wks early. As you have due date in sight you sound as if u are doing fine. Just keep up with your regular screening after baby is born - they will leave it a few months as an earlier poster said

Mojormoo - I was just about to congratulate you on your new baby. []
Thanks to all for your needed support girls. I'm always trying to stay on the positive side as I believe your mind affects your body. So I'll keep telling myself that labour will be shorter and opening of the cervix easier! []

Hi

I had Loop cone diathermy - dunno if that is the same thing, done under general. Anyway I have had two natural deliveries, both over 10 days late with no probs.

Good luck

I had two LLETZ treatments on my cervix and it totally failed to dilate at all as it is just a chunk of scar tissue now. So emergency c-section for me last year and c-sections in the future.

Gyneacologist said he'd only seen it twice in 15 years. I'm a medical freak!

cervical stenosis, thats what it is.

I called my colposcopy clinic and told them I was pregnant when I recieved my appointment date, and they said as I am past three months they still want to do another smear, or may do a colposcopy again as it will be easier to see. I don't think they would do another LEEP however.

victorian did you get a colposcopy while pregnant? I am due a colposcopy later this month but just got a bfp so had assumed I'd have to postpone til after the birth.

Meglet, I think it depends on your previous results and on the particular consultant whether they'll do one in pregnancy, I had mine postponed due to pregnancy but was only a follow-up to check a previous cervical procedure (LEEP I think) had worked. They generally don't do them in first trimester though so at the least yours will probably get put back a bit - if you ring and tell them you're pregnant they'll tell you what they'll do.

thanks picallili. Mine would just be a 6 month check up, so presumably they won't be that bothered, I had LLETZ done 3 years ago. I'll check though.

meglet - Sorry to hear about your experience. How long did they let you suffer before they realized it won't dilate? And btw congratulation on your bfp!

meglet I am 18weeks pregnant, and am going for a smear on friday, they said they will definitely do a smear, maybe a colposcopy, but it is unlikely they will do anything else.

Also if I had been less then three months pregnant they wouldnt have done anything. When you get your appointment through just call the colposcopy clinic and they will be able to expalin if and when you need to see them.

woah, what a lot of information! I went straight to bed after getting home from the hospital so didn't check the thread!

Thanks for the wikipedia info zuzkah, that really ties in with what the consultant told me, and the other experiences seem to all make sense to me now.
I had a LLETZ procedure and a cone something, the consultant said both procedures removed a large amount of cells so i have to have the appts to check my cervix through pgnancy.
The consultant looked at my cervix like they do a smear and said 'oh yes I can see you've had quite a lot of work done' (!!!) which made me go (!!!) Apparently the scarring is like scars on your skin she said she could see exactly where the cells had been removed.
She said in most cases the 'treated' cervix is fine during pregnancy and birth but in some cases it can leak the waters around the baby and they have to put a stitch in to keep it closed. In which case I have to monitor how much discharge i am getting (sorry if TMI!). I had a vaginal scan and I have to have another of these at 16 weeks to measure the cervical length. This should give them an idea to see if it will dilate ok, i think. I might have got that bit wrong though.
She also took a smear as she wanted to see if I had any more CIN cells but she did say she might not be able to tell. Finally, she said it might be a good idea to not have sex (!!!) as I have 'loose scarring' on the cervix so I may be damaging my cervix when we have sex (again, sorry if TMI!).
I asked her about birth being quicker like you were asking zuzkah and she said it probably wouldn't be, as if the cervix is not closed a stitch would be put in anyway.

So there is some more info for you all! My next appmt is 27 Nov.

Zuzkah i didn't realise you were due next week, that's really exciting! Let us know how you get on!!!
Victoriansqualor - good luck for your appmt Friday and let us know what they say!
meglet - congrats on your bfp! your experience sounds awful
pixie04 - fingers crossed for you, I have a DS of 12 and it took 5 years of trying to get this bean, so despite horrendous sickness i am over the moon!

so lovely to talk to you all!
JBR xxx

JackBlackRoady - Thanx for the info right from the source. Hope everything will be ok for you. Thinking of you!
Anyway, what horrible things these bloody viruses. I hope they will make the vaccination of young girls available soon so they won't have to go though the same as we do. Good luck to everyone!

zuzkah I was in full blown labour for 10 hours and DS was in distress when they whizzed me though to do an emergency section, I'd only dilated 1cm. They couldn't do an internal to check what was happening as DS's head was being pushed down, so thankfully the very nice doctor put an end to it and I was in theatre a few minutes later. Not the end of the world but looking back I should have suspected it might happen, my cervix was too tight for them to do decent colposcopies and after the treatments AF would only come out when I went for a run or to the loo. Saved a fortune in fairy hammocks!

I have just put a big ring round planned c-section in my new maternity notes .

meglet - Interesting story! Thanx. Hope you will have a better and quicker next labour! x

I'm in a little bit of a panic now after meglet's post I too have found that apart from the first day off AF I normally don't get any staining on my sani towels. Unless I've just been to the loo or I've been very active. Does this mean that my cervix could be a bit too scarred. I had an appointment with my consultant a few weeks ago and mentioned bleeding during sex so he had a good old feel about but said that my cervix looked healthy. I must remember to ask him on my next appointment.....

pixie maybe just being aware of what your cervix might be up to could help. Cervical stenosis is unusual though. Hope you don't have it and it doesn't cause you any problems.