Pregnancy and previous LLETZ procedure

[Luawei]

Hi all,
Back in 2013 I had the LLETZ procedure to remove some CIN3 abnormal cells in my cervix.
I had put this to the back of my mind, until recently finding out that I'm pregnant (5weeks).
Having spent the morning googling the issues that could occur, I'm now out of my mind with worry about things I've read regarding miscarriage and increased risk of early labour.
Obviously this is going to be something I discuss with my midwife at my first appointment which is in 3 weeks, but I was just wondering if anybody else had any experience around this subject?
Thanks for listening 😊
X

I had LLETZ and it was fine. No issues. No miscarriage. No early labour, in fact I was overdue.

I had the same treatment and no issues in either of my pregnancies. I had a couple of extra scans to checks the thickness of my cervix but everything was totally normal otherwise. Congrats OP!

Yes I had quite a bit cut off my cervix during lletz. Two pregnancies afterwards and both were inductions way past 40 weeks. Try not to worry OP, worst case is you may need a stitch but not likely.

I had the exact same treatment back in 2014, I was really worried with this pregnancy after Googling etc, however at my first appointment I was basically told as it was only one treatment there was no need to do anything. Never had any problems or scans to check cervix, I’m 37 weeks now and so far so good. Easier said than done but try not to worry and congratulations x

I had a LLETZ procedure a few years before my pregnancy, so my hospital arranged for me to have two scans of my cervix to check its length. All was fine. If it had been shortened then as others have said the treatment would have been a stitch to keep it closed, but in my case it wasn’t needed. Try not to google as you’ll only see worst case scenarios, I imagine in most cases it’s totally fine.

I had that procedure and then a further much more serious procedure called a cone biopsy where they remove a cone shame from your cervix. I had stage 1 cervical cancer in 2017. I'm now 5 weeks pregnant. I will have to have a cerclage (cervical stitch) at 12 weeks as I have an insufficient cervix (1.9 cm instead of the usual 4ish). I'm waiting for my appointment.
My understanding is it's only when you have 2 or more LETTz procedures that it may cause an issue as the more you have the more of your cervix is scraped away. You should be fine but as a PP said you will probably have an extra scan or they may spend some time checking your cervical length is sufficient. Hope that helps and try not to worry, you should be just fine x

I have just been through this. I had a Lletz in September 2020. The NICE guidelines suggest that all women who have had a Lletz procedure of over 10mm or more than one treatment should have a cervical length scan by 16 weeks.

I had massive problems trying to get the midwives to follow guidelines. Everyone passed it on as someone else's problem. In the end I put in a complaint to PALS and was scanned the same day. Luckily, my scan showed a good cervical length but I will be pushing for a second scan before I'm 24 weeks just to make sure.

I think the care varies from trust to trust but do not be afraid to kick up a stink for the sake of your unborn baby.

I have had numerous LLETZ and had a baby a few years ago. I was the same as you very panicky, and then the opposite happened, my cervix was basically welded shut in a place from scar tissue and caused a cervical tear when giving birth! It was treated swiftly, and all ok so don't panic!

Hi
I had 2 Lletz treatments in 2010 to treat stage 1a1 cervical cancer.
When I got pregnant in 2016 I was scanned every 2 weeks from 17-32 weeks as I was high risk of premature birth.
I ended up going 9 days overdue so wasn’t a problem for me at all.

I understand your fears, I was the same. I had some treatments on my cervix years ago and was also worried when pregnant with DD1. I went to a private consultant to see if there was need for a cervical stitch. He monitored my cervix and never needed to do a stitch.

Similar to a PP my cervix never dilated properly, likely due to scar tissue. I needed an emergency caesarian, and then had planned ones for next 2 children. All was well.

Best of luck OP and congrats on your pregnancy!

They midwife needs to refer you for two scans the 1st about 16 weeks the 2nd a few weeks later. The scans are done internally where the take 3 measurements of the cervix using the shortest measurement. A length of 2.5cm and below warrants treatment, they should so be looking at the top of the cervix to make sure it's not opening ( funnelling ). Many lady's have treatment on their cervix's and carry to term with no issues, but some do not and end up with late losses / Prem baby's. So it's always worth making sure you are monitored with extra scans x

I had LLETZ 2018, was checked internally at 20 weeks and was a normal cervical length, so no action was needed.

I had a LLETZ in 2015 and got pregnant for the first time in 2019. The midwife I saw during that pregnancy basically dismissed my concerns about the previous LLETZ I ended up having a series of small bleeds in my third trimester which meant I went into the early pregnancy assessment unit quite a few times, and every time I did they said it could be related to my LLETZ.

All was fine with that pregnancy in the end, though. The bleeding wasn't significant, and I went into labour spontaneously at 39 weeks and now have a healthy little boy.

I'm pregnant again now and was much pushier with the midwife at my booking appointment because I really wanted her to take the LLETZ seriously. She was able to look up how much tissue I had removed on my GP notes and found it was 10mm. 10mm is the cutoff point for extra scans of the cervix length, so because I was borderline she's written to a consultant to ask them to confirm if I'll need the scans.

So I'd say there's no need to panic and even if you do have a short cervix there are treatments you can have, but it is best to know where you stand and you might have to push to be referred to a consultant or for the cervical length scans.

I had an lletz then pregnancy and it was fine once my midwife a) read my notes and realised that I had a large amount removed b) I got the monitoring and treatment needed.

The problems occurred with no one in the lletz after care appointment telling me that there could be an issue, or how much had been removed, so it didn't occur to me to be concerned. My midwife wasn't that bothered when I mentioned it at booking in, she said it was usually fine and she didn't look into it for a while. Then there was a big panicked rush when it was realised someone had dropped the ball.

Hi everybody, thank you for your responses.
I feel reassured now. I will take your advice and ensure my midwife is aware, and also ask them to check my notes to find out the size of tissue that was previously removed as I cannot remember.
I knew googling would be a bad idea! 🙈