Short cervix? Pregnancy after LLETZ procedure

[zinrlow]

Hi everyone, I’m 19 weeks pregnant and all is going well so far (touch wood)

Around 3 years ago I had a LLETZ procedure to remove CIN3 cells after an abnormal smear test. I have been referred by my midwife to have my cervix measured (my appointment is on Thursday this week) just to check the length as during the lletz procedure they apparently took a fair bit away which puts me at intermediate risk of preterm birth.

I am absolutely terrified about this and feel as though I can’t enjoy my pregnancy, as I’m constantly worrying about going in to preterm labour and losing the baby. I’ve seen so many things online about women who have lost babies due to incompetent cervix, I feel as though I won’t be able to rest until I’m in the 30 week stages.

Has anybody else had experience with this? Any support or advice is much appreciated 😢 x

Sorry you are having a stressful time of it. But they are keeping an eye on you.

I had LLETZ x 2 and my cervix was too scarred to open in labour so I had to have c-sections. So it's not certain that your cervix is weaker after LLETZ. If it's not weaker then remind them to monitor you properly in case it won't dilate in labour. Hopefully it'll function as it should and will behave itself.

@Motherknowsrestthank you for your response. I wouldn’t mind if I need to have a c section, it’s just the worry of preterm labour which is freaking me out as I’ve read some awful stories! Did all go ok with you? It’s reassuring to know that others have had the procedure and have had healthy pregnancies x

If your cervix is a concern they will offer you a stitch which will keep it closed and remove it around 37 weeks! Don't panic. It's great they're checking the length for you so there are options. Good luck x

Yes, all ok. First baby was a little blue after the emergency section but fine within a couple of minutes. He was born yelling loudly so nothing too scary. Consutant said I could have gone on a trampoline and that baby wasn't coming out. Baby 2 was a planned section.

It’s great they are checking their cervix as this means they can respond quickly if there are any concerns.
I’m currently 36weeks pregnant and have a cervical stitch in place, which has worked perfectly! I have the stitch as I previously had a very premature baby at 26weeks.
though it was very stressful at the time, my DC is now two, 100% healthy and thriving (hit all developmental milestones on time or early).
i say all of this to say, rest assured your medical team are checking your cervix so can put measures in place should they need to. But also, pre-term birth doesn’t necessarily mean the worst outcomes and these tiny babies are super resilient!

best of luck xx

Thank you so much everyone, really appreciate the supportive comments x

@HavingFaiththank you so much for sharing, this was so reassuring. I’m so pleased to hear that your little one is doing so well, I bet that was such a difficult time for you but glad it all worked out.

My midwife mentioned the possibility of needing a stitch. How is it? When she first mentioned it, I thought it sounded quite traumatic, but of course I’m more than happy to have it for the safety of the baby.

Good luck with baby number 2, I bet your so excited xx

@zinrlow i was so, so nervous to have the procedure! But I knew it was the best option for my baby.
I had a spinal anaesthetic for it so couldn’t feel anything. The anaesthetic made me feel really sick but as soon as I mentioned it they gave me anti sickness meds which kicked in within 60seconds! They kept an eye on baby throughout and did a scan to show me baby wriggling away, so I could see that all was ok. I was quite tender for 24hours but after that, it’s been absolutely fine! I was really worried it wouldn’t work and I’d still go into preterm labour but it’s worked exactly as the dr’s said it would! I have an appointment soon to have it removed (a stage I never thought I’d get to!).
there are two different types of stitch they can use and my medical team were really clear about which one they opted for and why, so I felt very informed and aware of their decision making.
im sure you’re also in very safe hands - I won’t tell you to not worry, because that’s impossible. But try and take it one step at a time, see what the scan shows and then go from there. your medical team will have so much experience and know the best plan for you, whatever that may be.

I had 2 LLETZ procedures a number of years ago so during my 2 pregnancies I was monitored very closely which meant more frequent scans which was actually lovely as I got to see babies often. The team were just amazing and so reassuring and kind throughout.
My first pregnancy I needed a stitch put in at 20 weeks as my cervix was shortening and they were concerned but it did its job so well and my first was actually 9 days over! The insertion of the stitch was done in an operating room following a spinal. I was awake chatting to a lovely nurse and felt nothing. A very calm, controlled procedure and once the anaesthesia had worn off I went home same day. They remove it towards the end of pregnancy and this is just quickly done in an examination room.
My second they monitored me but even though my cervix was on the short side they saw no need for a cerclage (which I was honestly a bit concerned about!) and I was 3 days over.
I should add that both babies were big, one over 9lb and the second over 10lb but I was able to carry both to term. The team are fantastic, caring and know exactly what they're doing so trust their judgement.
The best of luck to you in your pregnancy!
Xx

I had lletz 9 months before I fell pregnant with my first, was for CIN2, I did have a weak cervix, had an initial scan at 21 weeks and it looked ok but at a follow up scan a week later it had shortened by 1cm, I avoided the stitch, and had progesterone pessaries 3/4 times a day, then at 31 weeks was signed off work and was put on bed rest as much as possible until 37 weeks. At 36 weeks I stopped the progesterone and started to dilated around 37 weeks, the baby stubbornly stayed put until 40+5. The progesterone really helped me, I did have a few scary moments, one where I had a slow leak of hind waters at 24 weeks, but I was monitored, and all was ok in the end.

I had a LLETZ procedure a year before this pregnancy. My cervix was short (2.5cm) at my 20 week scan so I was under the pre term surveillance team, but it has stayed the same length so no treatment needed. I’m now 30 weeks. You could very well be totally fine!

Hey! Just to say you're not alone, I had LLETZ for Cin2 back in October 2024 and I'm currently 18 weeks pregnant - so I literally got pregnant 2/3 months after the procedure. They removed 1.7cm of my cervix.

I had a consultant appointment at 16 weeks to measure the cervix and they said anything below 2.5cm they would consider the cervical stitch. Mine measured 3cm 😳 but because it was over the 2.5cm they said they weren't worried and said no further cervical scans required.

Thinking of you, I'm sure everything will be fine :)

I had CIN3 and a LLETZ procedure. They removed a significant amount of abnormal cells. I had fortnightly cervix measurements. I was also on progesterone until 36 weeks for a different issue. I have had 2 healthy and full term pregnancies.

Hi OP, I'm way earlier in my pregnancy, but also had quite a big lletz -he said he removed about a third of my cervix- 1.5 years ago. I actually had to have several blood transfusions after an artery burst two weeks later... but I wonder if it be ok to ask, or anyone that reads this, do you tend to bleed a little after scans? I'm so worried as I just had a very early scan and have had quite strong brown spotting after it. To be fair I had very light brown spotting the day before. The scan was pretty thorough and lasted a while, but she was gentler than some other scanners I've had. I'd just like to know its that's more common for us women with scarred cervixes (praying for reasons other than MC).

I am putting a pin in worrying about the next stage till I get past this first stage! I've been trying 3.5 years. I imagine I'd get the stitch if its offered to me, but so so get the worry you're feeling. Wishing you the best healthy easy rest of pregnancy.

Thank you so much everyone for the comments, they really have been so reassuring to read. Hearing stories from people who have been in the same position and have gone on to have healthy pregnancies is so nice to read and have really helped calm me.

I had my cervix scan which showed that my cervix is 2.9cm when the cut off to require further action is 2.5cm. The doctor was so lovely and said that although I do not meet the threshold that they would usually follow for having a short cervix, she did not want to just discharge me as I had had a lot of my cervix removed in the LLETZ procedure (over 4cm!!)

I have been prescribed progesterone pessaries to take and I will be going back for regular cervix scans to monitor it. I’m just relieved that they are keeping a close eye on me so if god forbid anything goes wrong, they’ll be able to take action quickly x

Hi @Nosejug, I’m so sorry to hear that you have been through all of that and congratulations on your pregnancy. The worrying is awful isn’t it, when I had the LLETZ procedure originally, I didn’t even consider it affecting future pregnancies so it has added a lot of stress and worry to me since reading up on it!

Personally, I haven’t experienced any bleeding at all since falling pregnant but I have read that spotting can be common in early pregnancy. Have you spoken to your midwife / doctor about the spotting? As I would definitely get checked for any bleeding during pregnancy to be on the safe side.

Sending you well wishes for a happy and healthy pregnancy also x

Have you started the pessaries? I found that I tolerated them much better when I used them rectally. I'm just mentioning because I found it difficult to tolerate them vaginally.

I hae a short cervix following lletz and have had 2 pregnancies, both successful (one a set of twins) I think the key with a short cervix is knowing you have one, and then they are able to monitor it and be proactive in taking any action.

Best of luck with your pregnancy x

@BillyBoe46yes, I am on my 5th day of taking them vaginally and so far so good. I’ve heard of people taking them rectally due to issues with taking them vaginally. How long after taking them did you have issues and change method? X

@JessicaPeachaww I’m so glad to hear that you went on to have successful pregnancies! You are definitely right, I think that knowing about it and being able to be monitored is key x