Pregnancy and Cervical Dysplasia

[kcmb0886]

I am now 9 days PP. For about two years before I became pregnant, I struggled with moderate to severe cervical dysplasia and had a cryo and two LEEPs - the last LEEP was done two months before we conceived our son, and I had clear margins and a negative follow-up pap in January about three weeks into my pregnancy, before I even knew I was pregnant. Despite not really having enough time to heal from the LEEP, I had no complications with an incompetent cervix, and when I gave birth, I also didn't have any complications with failure to progress because of scarring or anything. Not that I think these last two things mean anything as far as what my chances are that I'll have a recurrence of dysplasia when I go back for my six-week follow-up, but you never know.

My question is whether or not anyone else on here has had issues with recurrent dysplasia but not had any pregnancy-related recurrences. Or if you have, has the recurrence been really bad or only mild changes that went away on their own? We were going to try and become pregnant when we did either way, because I figured, I could either wait for the dysplasia to keep recurring so that we'd never get around to becoming pregnant, or we could ttc and at least we'd get to have one child if it got to a point where a hysterectomy was recommended. And I do remember reading somewhere that dysplasia during pregnancy usually doesn't progress very far, but I'm still really worried now.

 

[AlwaysPraying]

I'm slightly in the same situation but not as intense as yours I think. I had low grade cervicle changes 10 years ago was sent for a follow up a month later and then had a biopsy and leep done at that point. For the next ten years I had clear paps, I may have had a couple minor changes that corrected itself I can't remember. But this last year I had more dangerous cellular changes and was told to come back in 6 months to see if they resolved. At that point I was a month pregnant and had the pap which came back with changes but was inconclusive. My dr said it was most likely becUse of my pregnancy that they couldn't determine if it was normal hormonal changes or if it was bad cervical changes. I've been advised to wait 6 months post partum and go for a colposcopy at that point. They are telling me not to have a pap at 6 weeks because those results will be skewed from pregnancy just like my previous one was.

The most interesting thing I was told is since my last leep 10 years ago studies have found that cervical cellular changes happen much much slower than they once thought. They thought once cells changed that they would and could progress rapidly and surgery was pushed quickly. But now they say that the cells don't change as fast as they thought that its more steady and slow and with my current results they wouldn't expect serious complications for up to 10 years (that's why they are happy with me waiting 6 months). Does that all make sense?

I was also told that pregnancy and recurrence don't go together that they are not connected. Yes cells change in pregnancy but cancerous changes don't happen more often in pregnancy as opposed to not being pregnant. I was given the green light to get pregnant even after my first poor result when they asked me to come back in six months. So when I came back pregnant they really didn't care and still don't.

 

[kcmb0886]

Thank you for this. My cryo and my first LEEP and all of my colpos with biopsies were actually done by another doctor in a different practice, but I decided to part ways with the practice because of issues I won't go into. The new doctor at the new practice was very encouraging about our becoming pregnant even though she could tell that the changes were still moderate to severe and even sent me to an oncologist for a second opinion before going ahead with a second LEEP. When I went back for the follow-up pap in January, though, she was more hesitant about it. Although, I've read that mostly the reason that it's preferred to wait is to give the cervix time to heal, not because there's a greater risk of recurrence, and I've felt that if it's going to recur during pregnancy, it was going to recur anyway, and also that it would probably recur no matter how long I waited to become pregnant. But I'm so nervous now, anyway. I don't want to go back in six weeks and find out that I let it go unchecked for too long and now it's come back with a vengeance.

 

[AlwaysPraying]

I really think you have the right attitude. As far as I understand its going to progress or not no matter if your pregnant or not. I know then leep can thin the cervix and they want to make sure that the cervix is as strong as possible so waiting for healing makes sense. It does sound like 9 months of time won't make of break progression so may as well have a baby in that time, right?

Just the same I'm really scared to have my col done 6 months post baby. I asked why I'm not to have a pap at 6 weeks just to make sure nothing went crazy during this pregnancy, they told me it doesn't matter and the results could easily still be confused by the pregnancy so 6 months is the best time line from their perspective. All that being said I may go and do a pap anyways at 6 weeks and just see what it says.

 

[Dee_H]

Hi..so glad I found this thread. I made an appt when I found out I was 5 weeks pregnant. I have had a series of colposcopies over the years. I had one done a few weeks before I got pregnant. My doc informed me that I have stage 3 dysplasia and would have to have a LEEP done about 6-8 weeks after my baby is born. I have Diabetes so my immune system is compromised as it is. Doc said it is slow progressing but would progress faster in my situation. I was asked if I was done having children after this pregnancy..it kind of made me feel that I wouldn't be able to have any more children or that I shouldn't!! I am going to be 35 soon and probably don't plan on having more but to think the option isn't even there. Nice to hear that pregnancy can happen. Thank you for sharing your experiences ladies

 

[Dee_H]

I had a pap the other day just to keep an eye on things...and I have to go back again in February to get checked again.

 

[AlwaysPraying]

Dee: why did they tell you yours would progress faster? Because of the diabetes? I do know once your past a certain point that you must have surgery to remove it. But before that point your body is able to regenerate itself and rid itself of the bad cells. I pray that mine comes back clear, and pray the same for everyone else.

Interesting comment on not having more children due to this. Maybe they are worried about your cervix with so much man handling going on down there?

 

[Dee_H]

Yes..it is because of Diabetes...where it is an autoimmune deficincy disease.

 

[AlwaysPraying]

Oh wow I really didn't know that. Here's hoping everything goes smoothly for you (and everyone else and me). It's an emotional toll I've found. They say it's not really all that serious but then they say it needs to be treated ASAP and make it sound so frightening. I'm just holding my breath until the summer and see what comes. I sure wish I had more control.