Loop diathermy / LLETZ panic

[Alexandra6]

Hi, I should really be banned from google while I'm ttc, but I've got myself in a bit of a panic because years ago I had a dodgy smear result and they did a loop diathermy (lletz) procedure which is where they remove part of your cervix. A girl in my office has had three very late stage mc's and someone told me it's because she has a weak cervix due to treatment on it. So now I'm stressing and just wondered if anyone knows about this or knows anyone who got pg after having this treatment?

[EuroShagmore]

I was offered this treatment last year in the middle of ttc and researched its effects. If you become pregnant you should push for (if not offered) a cervical scan. This monitors the length of your cervix. If it is too short after the LLETZ they can put a stitch in to help hold it closed.

[Alexandra6]

Thanks euro I'm honestly in a bit of a state about it, just started clomid and if I'm lucky enough to get pg on it after ttc for so long, I don't think I could cope if anything went wrong especially at a late stage. I know everyone worries though but googling this lletz stuff really hasn't helped. A nurse even told me they used to do that treatment too early and often unnecessarily!

[EuroShagmore]

To be pragmatic, there is no point wishing now that you hadn't had it. You did, and it was probably a good thing. I'm not trying to be harsh at all - just pointing out that you can't turn back the clock so there is no point worrying unnecessarily about that. There is enough stress in ttc without that! But you can look forward, make sure that the people looking after you are aware of this and be proactive about your own treatment (which it sounds like you are being by thinking about this in advance), by making sure you get the scan and stitch if you need it.

I think the MC risk is something like 12% (I might be wrong about that - it's over 6 months since I looked at it) so there is an almost 90% chance that everything will be fine, which are pretty good odds. My consultant told me that there is most risk where there have been repeated LLETZ procedures carried out and there is not much cervix left.

Good luck - I hope Clomid works for you.

[Alexandra6]

Thanks euro I know you're right, there's nothing I can do to repair my cervix now. And thanks for the reassuring stats too. Just having a feeling sorry for myself moment and feeling like the odds are stacked against me. Weird as was feeling so positive about the clomid until I got caught up googling! Just wish I knew someone who have had lletz and a successful pregnancy, rather than just the poor girl in my office with her mc's.

Anyway, good luck to you too

[EuroShagmore]

You might want to search old threads on here. When I was offered the treatment last year I am pretty sure I asked for people's experiences and found some who had had problem-free pregnancies post-lletz. :)

[atrcts]

I had a LLETZ and am now pregnant. My cervix is causing me to bleed every week (am 20 weeks) but when I asked for a cervical measurement scan at 12 and then 16 weeks they found it was an acceptable measurement both times.

I'm being sensible with lifting and standing too long, or walking much distance as these seem to trigger the bleeds. But so far I am told the cervix is fine and that in the NHS they tent to monitor more closely when you've had more than one LLETZ.

I don't blame you for wanting to get it checked, it's a good idea not least for your own peace of mind.

[Alexandra6]

Thanks euro I will search and hang on to the success stories like I do with clomid success stories. Then I will get my butt off google because I'm doing myself NO favours!

[Alexandra6]

Good luck with your pregnancy atrcts I guess it makes sense to take it really easy when you've had a lletz, even more so than usual. I will def remind them to keep an eye on my cervix if I'm lucky enough to get pregnant. Someone else I know was told to have bed rest in her late stages of pregnancy, I wonder if that was because of lletz or whether they ever recommend that? A friend of mine still went to the gym when pregnant, I won't be doing that! I suppose the best thing as well is to try not to worry as stress always has a bad effect on ttc and pregnancy. Anyway lots of luck and I hope the rest of your pregnancy goes really well

[dondon33]

I had 2 lletz treatments and successfully fell pregnant, carried and delivered a baby after. After the baby I went on to have the cells removed manually while I was under GA another 2 times.

I'm TTC at the moment and recently had a trans-vaginal scan as well as thorough examination from my gynaecologist and he said that unless specifically looking for anything then you wouldn't know I'd had ANYTHING done there at all, which I was shocked.
Maybe ask to be checked over, it could help put your mind at rest.
Good luck xx

[Alexandra6]

Thanks dondon that's reassuring and gives me hope good luck ttc again! What does worry me though is I've had smears since and they've commented on the scarring. So maybe mine is a botched job or he took too much. I didn't trust the surgeon doing it and was so young I didn't really know what was going on, I def would have got second opinions and a different surgeon if I was doing it now. Still, what's done is done, I guess I can't keep on freaking myself out and getting upset. It doesn't sound like you had to have a stitch or anything for yours? Makes me feel better hearing about other people who've had it and had babies, so thanks again

[dondon33]

Thank you :)

No! no stitch. It was only roughly 2 years after the last lletz treatment that I got pregnant. I was told to be more careful especially as I got bigger with lifting and bearing weight etc... I spotted a little somewhere around week 25, nothing major though and that was it.

[Alexandra6]

euro I'm being a bit stupid and can't find the thread on lletz you did last year, if you get a chance can you remember what the post was called? Will keep looking. Any other lletz stories welcome!