Pregnancy after LLETZ

[Oneandabean]

Several years ago I had a LLETZ procedure (which it later turned out I didn’t even need). I’m currently 13 weeks and just had a letter through for a consultant appointment at 16 weeks. After a bit of digging it turns out it’s because the LLETZ procedure can cause premature labour and I’m now freaking out a bit about it.
No one told me it could be a risk and the fact I didn’t need it is really annoying. Has anyone had the same and what were the outcomes of your consultant appointments, and pregnancies?

I’m more stressed as my partner can’t attend the appointment with me at the moment. I’m really worried.

I had a LLETZ 6 years ago, same as you I never heard of any possible future issues with pregnancy. At the start of my pregnancy my doctor mentioned about it and how I might need a cerclage if my cervix shortened..I panicked a lot and had a very tough weeks of googling and imagining my pregnancy in bed rest. Turns out I should have not worried, they measured my cervix at 12, 16 and 20 weeks and the length in every occasion was normal.. no higher risk, no other issues. I am now 36 weeks and have had a very easy straight forward pregnancy.. so please don’t panic! Just make sure they check the length at every scan to reassure you.. but don’t waste your time and energy stressing about it, you will be fine!

Thank you that’s very helpful. I have spent hours today googling and only finding horror stories of miscarriages and prem births. I have to wait another 3 weeks but I’m hoping it will be ok. I had to be induced with DD 9 years ago so hoping for a natural birth this time, maybe a water birth and hoping this will be nothing.

I had Lletz done nine months before I fell pregnant, for me it did affect my pregnancy and my cervix began to shorten at 24 weeks, but I stayed under consultant care throughout and used progesterone pessaries. I was signed back to midwife care at 36 weeks and all was fine. There are lots of people that it doesn't affect, and a lot of trusts don't even check you if you've had just the one Lletz procedure, I'd had bleeding which is why mine followed it up.

Don’t worry - a single LLETZ treatment generally doesn’t increase risks unless the excision was particularly deep (>10mm and more so >15mm). They may be able to review the lab results to say exactly how deep, but if not you likely just need cervical length watched as above - from 16-24 weeks. Cerclage is then an option if cervix shortens to

Hi! Another one here who had a lletz procedure and wasn’t told of any future implications. Mine was when I was 17 so they probably didn’t think to tell me! Anyway I’m 25 weeks now and having regular cervical scans all of which have been fine and showed normal length. They do like to take precautions and monitor which is good!
The only problem I’ve had is a cervical ectropian. I’ve got exposed cells where they removed the section of cervix and they like to bleed.. a lot! It’s really concerning as now and again I’ll have bright red bleeds but it’s always put down to the area that was treated. Oddly it didn’t bother me too much in my first pregnancy but it’s played up like crazy in this one. So yeah the actual length and pre term labour aspect has been absolutely fine, and also in my first pregnancy they didn’t even check it and she was born @36+6 x

I had LLETZ in 2018 and ended up paying for private cervical scan because my NHS trust won’t do it on that basis unless you’ve had 2 LLETZ treatment. My cervix ended up being well within the safe measurement. As long as it gets checked try not to worry too much as there are treatment options if your cervix ends up being on the shorter side. You could also call colcoscopy and ask how much was removed- I did and they were able to tell me straight away over the phone

Thank you everyone, it’s really comforting to see others have managed health pregnancies. This one is so different from my daughter. I’ve hardly had any symptoms which I’m grateful for but also it worries me that something has gone wrong. Silly I know. Hopefully everything will be fine and it’s just a precaution.

A slightly different perspective.
I had a LLETZ in 2015 for CIN 3 - the same year I also had another procedure and a D&C. Anyway, at my 12 week scan (13 weeks) they performed a history indicated transvaginal ultrasound and my cervix measured 17mm - this was the shortest of the three measurements they take, but the range was 17 - 24mm, so not great.
I had a cerclage placed aa few days later and I’ll be 33 weeks on Thursday.
I’m not sure if I have a naturally short cervix as my labour with my daughter (pre-LLETZ & at 40+10) was very short with painless dilation, often a sign of a sign. But I have come across many stories where people weren’t monitored and suffered a second trimester loss.

I would 100% insist on a transvaginal ultrasound to determine the length sooner rather than later. Hopefully all will be fine for you, as it usually is! I’m incredibly grateful it was caught early and I was able to have the intervention.
Wish you the very best of luck, to reiterate most people are fine but do err on the side of caution x

To hopefully reassure you, I had a lletz treatment for CINIII a year ago and am now 19 weeks pregnant. The consultant at my 16 week appt said she could see that I had had ‘a lot’ removed and so said I should be scanned at my 20 week scan. I pushed hard to be measured at 18 weeks due to anxiety and measured 38mm. It was reassuring at the time, although they said I wouldn’t need to be scanned again I’m now worrying that I should push for at least one more measurement scan in a few weeks time to see if it has changed? Has everyone been recommended multiple scans?

Not wishing to frighten you but I had one Lletz and it did cause problems in my subsequent pregnancy. Make sure if you notice any pains or aching before your appointment at 16w you go to the hospital and don't feel any way about doing so.

I’m 18 weeks pregnant and have also been worried about this. I have had 2 cervix scans so far and another due in 2 weeks. So far have been 3.5cm, so within normal range. Keeping my fingers crossed! But don’t panic - it’s a precaution only and most women who have had little out are fine. But I would push for scans if they aren’t offered: I had to be a bit pushy to get mine but im glad I did!

I had LLETZ early 2011 and got pregnant in Ictober of the same year, i think it was at most 6 months between.

Absolutely no problems at all, typical pregnancy and labour.

Hi guys, I had a lletz procedure done 2 years ago for CIN3 and I'm currently 20 weeks pregnant and have been having cervix scans from 14 weeks pregnant and I have them every 2 weeks currently but the one I had yesterday was 24mm, the person who scanned me wasn't worried about the length but I thought it was very short as 2 weeks before it was 32mm, I'm waiting to hear from the consultant on Tuesday but I'm just currently panicking about it all

@Klwb93 I don’t have my first appointment until Monday When I’ll be nearly 17 weeks so I’m not sure how long the cervix is meant to be, but if they said they’re not worried I wouldn’t panic at the moment (I know that’s easier said than done, I’ve been stressing like mad waiting for my appointment)

Yup! Had LLETZ about 15 years before first pregnancy, told midwife at booking in who didn't seem interested.

Luckily for me, I had Hyperemesis (!) which meant I was admitted to hospital. While there I was chatting to a consultant and mentioned it in passing. She was shocked that it hadn't been followed up and got a the head of the Preterm Clinic to have a quick look as he passed by my cubicle.
Long story short I was stitched pretty quickly. DS is now 4 and starts school on Sep. With second DS I made sure I chased them and got it done at 13 weeks - he is now 2 in September.
They were both ELCS (breach, Pre eclampsia and Gest. Diabetes) but without those things going on they were prepared to take out stitch and let me go into labour naturally.
When I was wheeled out of theatre with DS 1 I remarked I didn't even notice they had taken the stitch out.....that was because they hadn't and had to wheel me back in again.
Basically you have to advocate for yourself, be pushy, ask questions and if you think something isn't right or doesn't feel right speak up.

I have two healthy lovely boys thanks to those stitches, good luck with your pregnancy xxxx

Just to add I think the hospital I was under took action if you measuring under 24mm. I was also told that you cervix can lengthen and shorten in pregnancy so it can increase in length between appointments. At my lowest the measurement was under 2 but at some points in my pregnancy it went up to 3 (I was on 2 weekly appointments).

Thank you so much for your replies, since I started having the cervix scans my cervix has been getting shorter each time I've had it done which is why I'm worrying and I did the worst thing which was google it and it said for 24mm or shorter it's a high risk for a preterm labour which completely panicked me, I had to push for my 20 week cervix scan which was a nightmare as they didn't think I was down for it when I knew it was!! Wish you all happy and health pregnancies xx

@Klwb93 if you’re worried give you midwives a call, they should be able to either settle your mind or put you on to someone to see earlier. Hope everything is ok for you

Hi guys just wanted to let you know I ended up having the cerclage done yesterday and it's a good job I did as when they did it my cervix had gotten shorter, I'm still under the consultant who's seeing me again in 2 weeks to see how the cerclage has gone and if it's healed and what the next step is, I don't want to scary anyone I just want to let you know that I have a lletz done and needed the cerclage, hope you are all doing okay xxx

Everything crossed for your cerclage lovely! Rest up lots.

I had my TAC pre pregnancy cerclage fitted a couple of weeks ago. Hoping that if we can fall pregnant again, it works xx

Hope it’s all ok for you. I had my first scan on Monday and it was 4.2cm which they’re happy with. They wanted to rescan in 4 weeks but the earliest appointment is in 6 weeks so I’m hoping nothing changes by then. I do feel relieved but it’s still a worry incase anything changes. Hope everyone is enjoying their pregnancies.

Hey just looking for some advice I had a LLETZ procedure done three years ago and I’m now pregnant I had 15mm removed when I had it don’t just wondering if this caused any problems for anyone else?