QuestionI had an internal examination at 33 weeks of pregnancy due to contractions and dilation. i have had pain in my cervix for some weeks. the doctor found a lesion on my cervix and did not know what it is. i am concerned because i am pregnant and i'm worried about complications. i am also worried about cancer.
The doctor told me a colposcopy should be done in two weeks. I read that during pregnancy, a cervical biopsy should be done only if cancer may be present. could you tell me what the lesion might be? is it likely to be cancer? if so, what are the risks to my unborn baby in both having the test and having the condition?
Thank you for your help.
AnswerHi Anna,
funny, my neighbors name is Anna Martin! Surprised me when I saw it.
honestly I have no clue what the lesion might be, that word "lesion" always sounds scary but it does not necessarily mean cancer, so dont convince yourself that it is.
How do you know it is cervical pain you have been feeling? It could be pressure from the baby, or your contractions, etc. I had to have a cerclage done for the surrogate baby I was carrying at 26 weeks because I was dilating early too so be happy you have avoided this so far. (I delivered the baby via emergency c section last Tuesday, she was 3.5 weeks early)
It is always part of our nature to worry about complications. I did have a few major complications despite having all perfect, textbook pregnancies beforehand and you just really never know what is going to happen.
All I can tell you is this: I am sure if your doctor thinks a colposcopy is necessary, it is. Do you trust the doctors judgement? If you are not comfortable with his/her decision on this you could always get a second opinion. At the WORST case scenario, your baby could be delivered early, if needed, and at this stage in pregnancy, or in 2 weeks even, would be just fine. Yes it would be a bit premature but your baby is definitely able to come into the world and be good and strong- a stay in the hospital is likely for the baby but todays Nicu and neonatal care are so advanced your baby would be just great. To me that would be the WORST case, and it sounds like you will not go to 40 weeks anyway (trust me it is nice to go a little bit earlier! you get a nice break.)
I do know that the baby is safe and sound up in its amniotic sac in your uterus- so having the colposcopy is probably no riskier than the cerclage I had to have. Having a minor surgery like this while pregnant is not that uncommon- plenty of women have some sort of cervical procedure done while pregnant, and the babies are not harmed. So I think IF you do have to have the biopsy, the baby would be OK. And even if it were risky to the baby, they could alwys induce you if it would pose a great risk to the baby, so either way, I am sure your baby will be just fine.
Hang in there, I know it must be very stressful for you which is the last thing you need right now. We all dream of a perfect stress free pregnancy but sometimes we dont get it. This last one for me really shocked us all, and I was a surrogate! I wanted to be a surrogate because I always had such perfect pregnancies! And delivering this one I had problems I never dreamed of.
I am sorry I dont have much info on what the lesion could be.... it could be scar tissue, I guess, a cyst, polyp, who knows. There are plenty of things it could be and NOT be cancer. Were you having regular pap smears before you got pregnant?
I hope things work out for you, I am sure you and the baby will be just fine. Keep me posted! Best wishes.
andi
