Pregnancy following treatment for abnormal cells

[lotte76]

I had a colposcopy and treatment to remove CIN 3 cells in October 2010, I had a follow up smear in July 2011 which was normal and then fell pregnant this October. So I'm now 3 month's pregnant and concerned about how damage to my cervix will affect my ability to carry the baby to term. I hadn't even thought about it until I went for my scan and when booking my next scan the lady told me she had also booked me in for a prem prevention clinic at the end of Feb. This came as a bit of a shock! I have since been on the internet and read stories of women losing their babies due to an incompetent cervix brought on by colposcopy treatment. I am very worried, I haven't got my next midwife appointment for 2 weeks - I've just made a doctor's appointment to discuss my fears but could do with some reassurance before then. Has anyone else had this treatment and had a problem free pregnancy?

hey there, i had treatment for cn2 cells and got pregnant a month later [phew was so not planned] got myself all freaked out by incompetent cervix stories and late stage miscarriage and premature labour horror stories. went to my mw all shook up she referred me and the consultant was pretty blasé about the whole thing with good cause as it turns out statistically speaking. the likelihood of premature labour is pretty low and is usually in the last couple of weeks so you are generally all good then any way.
the cervix shortening can be helped with a stitch if they think its necessary to stop late stage miscarriage which can happen around 26 weeks when the baby starts to get heavy they do it about 12 weeks i think. some regions offer it as preventative and some only if there is a problem. i am 33wks now and have had no problems at all so far. try not to worry you self. lots of this information is given out based on worse case scenario, doesnt mean it cant happen but it can be very unlikely.

What kind of treatment did you have? I've had cold coagulation ( I think that's what it was called) which apparently should't cause any problems. It certainly didn't with my dd, who was 5 days late. I think a cone biopsy, which removes some of your cervix, is the only treatment they might be concerned about. But even then, as pats says, the likelyhood of premature labour is low and they can use preventative measures if need be. I'm sure the doctor will be able to reassure you more.

i had a loop excision which is were they take off the layer of the cervix with an electrical current under local aesthetic. not quite as concerning as a cone biopsy pregnancy wise. not heard of cold coagulation whats that one?

Hi lotte, I had a cone biopsy a few months before getting pg. I had my cervix measured about every 4 weeks until around 24 weeks (they do this through an internal scan) to check it wasn't thinning or funnelling. As it hadn't changed at that point they decided my risk was back to normal and I don't need to have it looked at again - basically they assess I'm no longer more at risk of pre-term labour than anyone else.

So, it partly depends on the treatment you had - I think laser treatment has less risk that cone biopsy or 'cold knife' treatment, and it also depends how much cervix was removed.

The consultant I saw did say that the risk of preterm labour is VERY low, even after a cone biopsy. Many hospitals don't even do cervical measurements any more. I have heard some people being told that they'd have a cervical stitch as a precaution following the procedure, but that seems out of line with the policy in most places unless someone has tragically had an incompetent cervix in the past.

I think the best thing is to talk to you GP about getting the regular cervical measurement unti the end of the second trimester at least. In your case it might not be indicated at all (i.e. your risk is no higher than the general population). That's probably all they'll do at the pre-term labour clinic.

Honestly, don't fret too much - it initially scared the life out of me but no medical person I ever saw was that bothered. I think if I hadn't reminded my GP that was the advice of the oncologist, I probably wouldn't have been offered it at all...

HTH

Thanks all for your advice. The problem is I have no idea what treatment I had! I was just told it was a colposcopy and biopsy, I know I had the affected areas removed and have had a normal smear since. Will just have to check with the doctor tomorrow. Thanks again for taking the time to reply :)

I had 2 big chunks taken out with LLETZ.

To cut a long story short, my periods never came out properly as my cervix was so scarred up. When I went into labour I never dilated and both my DC's were whipped out by CS (first one emergency, second one planned).

It's called cervical stenosis, it scars up and is too tight to dilate. Consultant said thank goodness I was never induced as it would have been a disaster.

It's quite rare that it's too tight, but something to bare (bear?) in mind. We should have put 2 + 2 together when my periods wouldn't come out.

I had a loop excision for abnormal cells 6 yrs before DD was born. It was noted in my booking in session then never mentioned again. The pregnancy and labour was all fine. That said I have heard of people having to have a stitch.

It sounds like you have very thorough HCP and they're just looking out for you.

Hi Lotte

I had a colposcopy and abnormal cells removed a few years before conceiving DC2. Have no idea what the treatment was called!

I mentioned it to my MW at the 12 week check and I was placed under the care of the premature baby clinic which meant I had a scan of my cervix every 3 weeks to check it had not shortened. It never did, and even if it had shortened, the Dr reassured me that a a cervical stitch could be put in and I would be on bed rest.

They discharged me from the clinic at 24 weeks as there had been no cervical shortening and i'm going to have DC2 tomorrow!

So try not to worry, I hope everything goes well for you.

I had a loop excision and got pg with ds2 a year later. I felt my body did not allow me to get pg until it was ready to have a pregnancy.

It does really depend on how much was removed I suppose. Nobody ever said anything to me about it being a risk though. I would think there is a high probability you will be fine, but it is a good thing if they keep a closer eye on you.

I also had the colposcomy and loop biopsy at the same time as you (Oct 2010) I mentioned it when I became pregnant to the midwife and had a consultation with a doctor after my 12 weeks scan. She was incredibly reassuring and said that as a matter of course they don't do anything differently unless you needed more than one treatment.

I am now 29 weeks and touch wood all is fine. Mention it to you mw so you can get reassurance but try not to stress :)

Hi there

A bit more reassurance from here, I hope. I had CIN2 cells removed by LLETZ (the cheesewire as a friend of mine so delightfully put it....) in December 2010. Couldn't have follow-up smear as was pg by then, but did ask GP about possible cervical incompetence when we had decided to TTC and he said the risks were quite low.

No mention of it whatsoever at my scan, though it was in my notes - am now 30 weeks and (also touching wood) no problems thus far.

Good luck!

Hi, I had cone biopsy in July 2010. Told consultant that I wanted to have baby and would it be a problem, he said not, had all clear and got pregnant in august, Mc in oct 2011 now 7 weeks again, so I think all will be ok, but I will mention it to dr. , good luck ladies x