colposcopy from years ago makes uterus not dialate?

[tiffanymm]

A friend of mine is 40 weeks tomorrow. Her doctor said that since she had a colposcopy years ago and had some bad cells removed that it could have caused scar tissue and her uterus may not dialate. So to prepare for a c-section even though they will try and induce at 40w6d.

I feel sad for her. I try and not be to vocal about her choices and I am gentle in what I say. I just have not heard of such a thing before. My first reaction is to tell her not to do it, but this is her birth and not mine.

So, have you guys heard of this before? Do you have a stats either way?

Thanks,
Tiffany

[BeckiCNM]

It depends how much of the cervix was taken off to remove the bad cells. It can not cause any problems at all, or the scar tissue can cause problems in labor. It all depends. Being induced (especially if this is the only reason) isn't going to help at all, though, and will most likely increase her chances of having a c-section. Can she wait to go into labor on her own?

[eminencejae]

I want to know about this too!

I was thinking about it a while ago and got scared that I might not dialate properly due to any old scar tissues. How do women who've had biopsies fare? What about women who have genital warts?

[mamato3cherubs]

I second what Becki said. There is so much variable. Inductions will NOT help. I would decline that for sure. She also need to go into this with the belief that it will go normally, and not go in thinking it wil end in c-section. It very well could just simple because she has convinced herself of it. The mind is VERY powerful in childbirth. Fear and lack of confidence in the process can actually cause it to not go as well.

I wish your friend the best and hope she will go into labor on her own in the next few days.

[AmyLaz]

I agree with Becki - It varies so much with each person. For what it's worth, I had a colposcopy, a leep, and a cone biopsy - and I dilated. They really won't know what's going to happen until she goes into labor - hopefully she'll be able to do that on her own.

[jennifer0246]

Maybe she had a cone biopsy, LEEP, cryotherapy, or some other more extreme procedure on her cervix? Colpos are diagnostic in nature, and include only tiny biopsies (if any at all). A colpo wouldn't affect a cervix during birth, at all.

[H-BirthRevolution]

I've been worried about exactly this situation myself. I had a LEEP 3 years ago and while there wasn't much cervix removed, I've heard that the resulting scar tissue can be tough and slow dilation.

I've also heard that if the dilation is stalling, the HCP should manually try to break the scar tissue up by digitally expanding the cervix. I'm guessing that would be no fun for mum, but far better healthwise than stalling and getting pushed into an unwelcome c-section.

[MsBlack]

Such procedures can indeed create scar tissue that slows/hangs-up dilation. Yes, some providers will manually try to break it loose. But I once used homeopathy to deal w/scar tissue on one of my tubes--and it worked incredibly well. So, you might want to look into homeopathy--I would recommend seeing a trained homeopath for this, rather than DIY.

[chandasz]

I've had a couple LEEP procedures and 2 wonderful non-medicated births with no problem.

It is really important to keep a positive outlook as there is an extremely strong mind/body connection in birth

[PapayaVagina]

Originally Posted by jennifer0246

Maybe she had a cone biopsy, LEEP, cryotherapy, or some other more extreme procedure on her cervix? Colpos are diagnostic in nature, and include only tiny biopsies (if any at all). A colpo wouldn't affect a cervix during birth, at all.

I agree. Most only take very, very small amounts of tissue.

FWIW - my SIL had a cone bx over 10 years ago and had a baby last year. Interestingly, they were extremely concerned her whole pregnancy that she would miscarry or go into preterm labor because she has a hx of not only the cone bx but of "incompetent" cervix before that. In the end, she had PIH, wasn't dilating according to what they thought she should be at 36 weeks (term, you know) so they induced her with Cytotec and Pit, which didn't work, and she ended up with a c-sec.

In my own limited experience, I've seen women with a hx of large biopsies dilate easier so you never know.