Pre-baby: Did anyone have surgery on their cervix?

lauren&matt

I had surgery on my cervix like 7-8 years ago. I honestly can't remember what procedure it was, but it was for precancerous cells. It was done in a hospital... and that's about all I remember. (I think I blocked it out, lol.)

Anyway, I of course informed my OB and he knew to watch for it. I did have an extra u/s just to make sure my cervix was doing its job ~17 wks. The concern was that the surgery had make it "weak" and there was an issue of premature labor. Well, obviously, that didn't happen NOW the concern is that the scar tissue has made it *too* strong and it might not dilate. (not sure if I'm using the correct termonolgy here.) Anyway, if that does happen, I will have to have a c/s.... and I would do just about anything to avoid a c/s.

I had my 37 wk appt yesterday and 0 progress. I know that can be very normal... however, this scar tissue issue is in the back of my mind. Did anyone else deal with this? Anything medically I could ask for to help the process along or to avoid a c/s. Please know that I am by no means wanting her out early so I don't want to rush anything along... I just don't want a c/s *if* I can help it at all. I just never really thought this would be an issue and I haven't researched anything on this.

Thanks!

redstars93

Did you have a LEEP?

I had one 3 years ago and I was told the scar tissue *might* cause me to have problems with initial dilation (i.e. the first 1-2 cm). When it came down to delivery, I dilated to 3cm before my water broke and then dilated to 10 in
~6 hours. No problems here!

ETA: I forgot to mention that I ended up with a c-section but that was due to DS being sunnyside up and not dropping.

Echowysp

This is exactly what happened to me, only the doctors didn't discover the scar tissue until I had been laboring unsuccessfully for a long time.  I required a procedure where they insert a hemostat, which is a forceps, into my cervix and open and close it to break apart the scar tissue.  It took 3 times with me and required some morphine, but it worked. 

I'm glad they know what to watch for in you.  Mine going undiscovered caused my labor to go on for 38 hours, but I was able to avoid a c/s.  I would really just make sure your OB knows about the cervical surgery and have them monitor your progress.  GL to you!

k8elee03

I probably had the same surgery you did about 5 years ago. I had the LEEP procedure. I was also monitored for a weak cervix but had no problems there. There was never any mention of the scar tissue concern that you're talking about, but I can tell you that I was 4 cm dilated at 38.5 weeks, went to the hospital at 4-5 cm dilated at 39 weeks exactly, and had my baby 8 hours later.

My guess is that since your doctor is aware of the concern he/she is probably doing whatever can be done to help avoid a c-section. You've told your doc you don't want the c-section, right?

janal

Yep - and no problems at all. Good luck!

LaurenL1976

I was against having a c/s too.

Well, my little lady wasn't going to come out the vag way!  Doctor said he HAD to do a c/s. (Not to mention the cord was tightly around her neck AND she was distressed the two times I pushed. 

Honestly, in the moment of delivery - you won't care if you have a c/s.  I totally thought I would.  (I even told my dr. NO PITOCIN!   However, I wasn;t progressing at all, and I agreed to it right away

 c/s is really not that bad. I'd do it again, in a heartbeat.