My story begins with having to have two LEEP procedures in the past year - both for severe dysplasia. The first time, the doctor took as little as she thought she possibly could, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough; the dysplasia was either much worse than we knew, or it just completely took off after my first surgery. But I ended up going to a new doctor in a new practice after I found out that the dysplasia was still severe and had a second LEEP in October which was successful and I had a normal follow-up Pap right after I became pregnant!

Of course, now that I am pregnant, my cervical length is being monitored and I have a follow-up plan of every two weeks. My doctor told me that she had to remove a lot of my cervix when she did the LEEP, but that there's an outer os and an inner os and the inner os is the one that we need to be worried about so she tried very hard not to take anything out of the inner os.

Still, when I went for my first cervical length measurement last week, my cervix was only measuring a little over 3cm. I've read that I'm supposed to have at least 3cm of cervix in order to maintain my pregnancy although I've also read that I could have as little as 2.5cm. Either way, the perinatologist said that my cervix is looking good and is an excellent length right now. But I'm worried anyway. My cervix was only 3cm at 16 weeks, so is it likely to become even shorter? Or does that not always happen?

How did they know to monitor you? I'm a little worried as im 15 weeks and recently I read that the loop diathermy I had for my cancer cells can now come back to haunt me as a weak cervix. I've mentioned this to my midwife but she hasn't said anything to me regarding measurements or anything... Should I be asking this?

After one LEEP, my first doctor had told me that I shouldn't be concerned about future pregnancies. And she was probably right; one procedure doesn't usually remove enough to cause an incompetent cervix. That being said, even after just the first LEEP, I'd have probably still insisted on cervical length measurements, if not out of any kind of necessity, but for my own peace of mind. One procedure doesn't correlate to an increased risk unless it was really invasive. But, if you'd feel more comfortable to have measurements, it never hurts to question your midwife more. It's important to advocate for your own health and for your baby's health, so don't hesitate to ask questions. It is the responsibility of your midwife and any healthcare provider to give you the best possible care - that's what they're there for!

As someone who has lost a baby to IC, I wouldn't take your chances. If there is any way to get a cerclage, I would do it. If you feel like anything at all is wrong EVER, you need to be seen. As has already been said, you are the advocate for you own health and your baby's. If i could do it over again, I would have trusted my instincts!

Hi
I had abnormal cells removed in 2006 (mine was LEETZ)! I had alot of cervix removed, I think it was 1.5cm which the Doctors class as alot, I had it written on my pregnancy notes as "at risk of pre term delivery". I was understandbly very worried throughout my pregnancy as I was also carrying twins. At 13 weeks I had my cervical length measured and it was only 2.7cm. I went back at 16, 20 and 24 weeks and had a private cervical length scan at 22 weeks. At all these times my cervical length stayed strong at around 3cm. I still can't believe to this day that I carried my babies until 37 + 2 weeks when I had a scheduled c section. I hope this gives you some hope. x