Vaginal birth after cryosurgery

angiemedic56 · May 2010

I've had cryo done twice within the past 5 years because of HPV. My dr told me that sometimes after cryo your cervix has scar tissue that may make it difficult to deliver vaginally. I REALLY don't want to have a c-section, and I haven't been able to find much info on the web regarding this.

Anyone else have cryo? And/or are familiar with its effects on vaginal delivery?

ShawndraElizabeth · May 2010

I have not had the procedure, but I have done plenty of research on HPV because i was exposed to it as well. From what i understand, there should only be complications during delivery if you have had the procedure many many times. There should be no effect on your delivery due to HPV/Cryo. Talk to your OB, I am sure he/she will ease your worries =]

lolc · May 2010

I don't have HPV that I know of but because of some cervical cell changes I had to have cryosurgery back in 2000. I didn't have a lot of abnormal cells but enough to warrant the cryosurgery.

In 2005 my son was 4 days overdue so they insisted on an induction. After 12 hours of labor I was only 3-4 centimeters dilated and the baby was getting distressed. So they wanted to do a c-section and that's what ultimately happened.

I was told then, and re-told by another OBGYN now, that they believe it may have been due in part to the cryosurgery back in 2000.... that the scar tissue made it extra difficult for my cervix to dialate (or is it dilate? Whatever, you know what I mean lol).

I'll never really know for sure. But in some weird way, I feel slightly comforted knowing that my cervix decided to harden up and not soften up. Some women have other procedures that cause their cervixes to become "incompetent." Glad I'm not in that boat. I'll take a c-section anyday over the issues that can happen with an incompetent cervix.

Mmmelody · May 2010

I did, and had a really long labor. 24 hours of hard labor and I was only at two. My wife noticed it during an exam and broke the scar tissue. When she dis that she said I immediatly dialated to 4. I went on to have a vaginal birth bthe second birth was a normal 8 hour labor.

sassafras007 · May 2010

I had it in 2003 and also a d&c this past June. I was induced at 34 weeks due to pre-e. After 48 hrs of cyotec, pit, and cervedil I was only slightly soft. i ended up with a c-section . They told me I could keep going but because I had been in the hospital for a week of strict bed rest I was tired and agreed.

They did say at one point if I could get to a certan point with the dialtion they could massage the cervix and try to break up some of the scar tissue if that was the reason... I don't remember at what point they said they could ahve done that...

MrsSteelerTeacherLady · May 2010

I'm really glad that I read this b/c my OB has said nothing to me. I've had severe cervicitis and had cryo in November 08. I then had silver nitrate to follow up for the following 6 months. I'm going to talk to my OB about this b/c I don't want a c-section and if there is a way to break up scar tissue then I want her looking for it. Thanks for sharing b/c I really had no clue- ugh I hate when my OB doesn't share things (or worse, doesn't know!)

jpowell3 · May 2010

I will be having a LEEP procedure done soon after I give birth. After doing some research I found out the risks/complications it could cause for future pregnancies. I talked to my midwife (and many women on the 3rd tri boards assured me) and she said as long as your dr knows about it they can soften your cervix up while you are in early labor with massaging. She has no concerns for me being able to deliver my future children vaginally. Good luck!

Dobie_Mama · May 2010

No personal experience, but ditto the other ladies on the massaging the scar tissue. I read this blog post recently and your post reminded me of it:

https://www.birthresourcenetwork.org/blog/cervical-scar-tissue-a-big-issue-that-no-one-is-talking-about/

marie&david1028 · May 2010

I also had cryo done twice before and was really worried about a c/s. My labor was pretty long and slow. My water broke, we went to the hospital and I was only a fingertip dilated. Six hours later, I was only 1-2 and it took another 12 hours to get to 10. Then I pushed for 3 hours, but I think that was b/c I wasn't a very good pusher - couldn't feel where to push b/c of the epi. So, a vaginal delivery is possible, it just may take awhile. Good luck!

gabyn29 · March 2014

I am so glad i found your post.
I too had a cesarian in 2012 (10 years after the surgery) and I couldn't understand why until today a new doc gave me some light. My labor progressed really slow and i didn't dilate past 4cm after 10 hrs. on pitocin. I am hoping for a vaginal for #2. Praying and crossing my fingers.

karayanne · March 2014

I had a section with my first due to not dialating after my dr accidentally broke my water during my 40 week exam. Went back for my 6 week check up, told me my cryro was the reason I never dialated. :-/

mrsH1112 · March 2014

Im also glad that someone ressurected this post! I am 13 weeks today, and my Dr knows I had cryosurgery about 8 years ago. When I was at my 12 week ultrasound,the tech asked me if I had delivered my other babies via C Section. When I told her it was my 1st pregnancy she asked if I had any previous cervical surgeries.

She told me to remind my dr and she would mark it on the report.

Since then Ive been trying to research what could be the effect the scar tissue could have on labor. Im going to mention it to my dr at my 16 week appointment for sure. I certianlly dont want to labor for longer then I have to and not understand what the reason is!

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