pregnant after leep/lletz

[mum2b2010]

Hi all,

Have tried the search option but it won't work on my phone. I had a leep called lletz procedure here in November 2011 after my very first smear showed CIN3 and discovered I was pregnant before my follow up smear this May. Unfortunately my lletz didnt get clear endocervical margins but as I can't have a follow up smear here until baby is born I'm trying to not let that side worry me.

I have had 3 private scans this pregnancy due to concerns as have had previous loss through a molar pregnancy and also as I have been having tmi green thick discharge since my first internal scan at 6+3 yet swabs have shown no sign of infection. My booking appointment is not until 25th May when I will be 14+4 by my dates but 15+4 by scan dayes. Am I at risk of incompetent cervix? GP dismisses this notion and know obstetrician will too. Will battle for cervical length scan but would say it will be pointless. Anyone any experience of pregnancy after leep/lletz?

 

[AlwaysPraying]

I had a leep before my pg as well and the ob checked me for cervical length during my pg. he didn't worry and told me not to as well. He said its not fact that these procedures and cervical issues are tied.

 

[mum2b2010]

Thanks for replying alwayspraying. Such an anxious time and every twinge worries me. Had you any abnormal discharge or pain in your cervix during your pregnancy?

 

[Waiting2bMommy]

I had a LEEP procedure on Jan 28th of this year. Was not supposed to get pregnant until after my 3 month check but we had a little oops. I also have had an ultrasound to check cervical length and all was well. Do you know how much was taken during your LEEP? My doctor told me due to being so young she was going to take as little as she could and still get it all. If they have already measures your cervix they would have told you if they saw any issues.

 

[mum2b2010]

Thank you for replying. I havent had a cervical length checked. My first appointment in hospital won't be until Im 14 or 15 weeks + and gp doesnt seem to take my worries seriously.

Leep was done in colposcopy clinic in designated hospital 100 miles away (Im in ROI) and gp was informed of procedure but not results. I rang colposcopy clinic for results and had hard fight to get them sent to gp who never looked at them until I made appt at 5 weeks pregnant. He told me about failure to get clear margins with leep but also told me I cant have a smear until 6 months after this baby is born. Scans I've had were one in epu (self referral and hospital I attended with molar not with dd) and 2 private scans. GP wouldnt even do a confirmation appt for my pregnancy until I was 6 weeks + pregnant 'in case I lost it before then' despite knowing of 8-10 week wait at min for hospital appt and he obviously didnt inform hospital of my history of Leep and a partial molar in my first pregnancy which ended with 2 d&cs and me not knowing about molar being pregnant within 6 weeks with dd who is now thankfully healthy and 14 months.

Very complicated, dont have much choice with gp as many dont do combined antenatal care or take on new patients at min. Just afraid I have incompetent cervix and no one will bother to find out or know until it is too late.

 

[Rickles]

Hopefully I can reassure you.

I had LEEP for CIN 2 in May last year - got pregnant in Nov (just before 6 month check up with consultant)... I was worried about incompetent cervix - they did measure me at 16 weeks (Hospital protocol they don't do it before) and said it was absolutely fine 4.7 cm and no need to come back. I have my next smear in Nov (3 months after due date)

Now before that appt I grilled my consultant (I had the old appt - so turned up, told him I was pregnant and he said he would do nothing). My consultant reassured me it is incredibly rare for LEEP to result in IC - especially after 1 LETZ / LEEP treatment- he said it was slightly more likely if you had repeated treatments, and even then, it was not a given - but something they keep an eye on.

He said it was actually more likely that I would have a premature labour as a result of the treatment - but even then the stats were 10 % of women have premature labour and LETZ meant that went up to 12% so still VERY VERY small.

IC is a very real concern for everyone and I would never say don't worry about it, I know I did. But I don't see an issue with you not seeing anyone until 14 weeks... baby is too small for it to matter. If you have it - it will sadly come to fruition from 18 weeks onwards as baby grows and pushes on the cervix.

(On the plus side - it's a tiny one at that - I got an extra scan at 16 weeks so saw the baby again) xx

 

[Waiting2bMommy]

Thank you for replying. I havent had a cervical length checked. My first appointment in hospital won't be until Im 14 or 15 weeks + and gp doesnt seem to take my worries seriously.

Leep was done in colposcopy clinic in designated hospital 100 miles away (Im in ROI) and gp was informed of procedure but not results. I rang colposcopy clinic for results and had hard fight to get them sent to gp who never looked at them until I made appt at 5 weeks pregnant. He told me about failure to get clear margins with leep but also told me I cant have a smear until 6 months after this baby is born. Scans I've had were one in epu (self referral and hospital I attended with molar not with dd) and 2 private scans. GP wouldnt even do a confirmation appt for my pregnancy until I was 6 weeks + pregnant 'in case I lost it before then' despite knowing of 8-10 week wait at min for hospital appt and he obviously didnt inform hospital of my history of Leep and a partial molar in my first pregnancy which ended with 2 d&cs and me not knowing about molar being pregnant within 6 weeks with dd who is now thankfully healthy and 14 months.

Very complicated, dont have much choice with gp as many dont do combined antenatal care or take on new patients at min. Just afraid I have incompetent cervix and no one will bother to find out or know until it is too late.

I guess things are done a little differently here in the U.S. but as a PP said your baby is very small and IC doesn't really come into play until later. My doctor never even told me that could be a factor. She said there was a higher chance of miscarriage and preterm labor but that's all not super common. If your not bleeding or cramping you are probably fine and hopefully your doctor can reassure you soon

 

[LadyW]

I had LEEP about 3 years ago. Not sure how much I had done.. Cant remember. But I do remember them saying that anyone who has the procedure has a slight risk of not carrying to the end of full term.. (Premature birth as cervix weak)

I have heard that they can put a stitch in to stop this.

Am seeing the midwife tomorrow so will ask

 

[mum2b2010]

Thank you all Rickles, Ladyw and waiting2bamommy.

That information has really reassured me. It is the tmi ...green discharge almost like a show and occasional sharp pains in cervix that made me concerned especially as the swabs are clear for infection. I really didnt realise risk of ic only increased by 2%. The odds are in our favour (albeit I've unfortunately been in a 1% category for molar and 0.1% who require a repeat d&c ) so statistics can be misleading but I feel really reassured by that. I wonder why the risk of early miscarriage is increased by leep when baby is small? think I will push for a cervical length scan at my booking appointment.

Thank you all again for taking the time to reply and reassure me xx

 

[Gabbymrvr]

I had a Leep and three months after procedure I got pregnant, had to be in bed rest and extra care but I was great and my baby was born at exactly 38 weeks 7lbs 1 and 21 1/2. Good luck to you just think positive

 

[Brittles]

You only really need to worry if you've had more than one (Like ME!!) I've had 2, the first didn't get all of it and ended up being worse the second round. Docs knew I wanted more children and tried to take as little as possible, but overall about half my cervix was taken. I believe its about 2.7 cm?? Very close to the minimum needed, whatever the actual measurement is. I will more than likely need a cerlcage (the stitch in the cervix) and bedrest from about halfway though to the end of pregnancy Just hope I will be able to move before that happens!! The second one also took some of my CM producing glands and caused so much scar tissue that I can pretty much only get pregnant through IUI. In addition to low progesterone. So need Clomid, high dose, to fix that too. My lady parts are all sorts of broken!! Only one LEEP they usually try to be conservative on the cutting too. Just make sure to eat healthy, execise, vitamins and quit things like alcohol and smoking till its gone (I didn't quit smoking and it didn't go away for 3 years!!) Godd luck doll!

 

[AlwaysPraying]

Statistics suck. My first pg was lost due to a 1 in 20,000 issue. My specialist who is one of six in the country had only seen a baby like ours six times in his history. I know what you mean about not believing or trusting the odds.

That being said keep your dr up to date and ask lots of questions. I was told there was no concern for a cervical issue due to leep. Not a low chance but no chance. So thats hopeful?

 

[quail]

hi i also had this procedure done after my second baby and 2 days after the treatment i got af then i was pregnant again it caused me no problems whatsoever and ive gone on to have another 8 children all fine and im currently expecting no.11 i honestly think you have nothing to worry about.xx

 

[CryHer]

I had a leep in 2010, now pregnant in 2012. I think the scar tissue hindered me from getting preggo naturally, hence the IUI. No problems so far. MD told me I should be fine and not to worry about anything until it happens. She said you can't worry about something like that until the situation presents itself. Good luck!

 

[LadyW]

Saw midwife today who says I'm low risk but getting referred to a specialist at 16 weeks to check cervix

Better to be safe x