Expecting a Baby With Mild Dysplasia

Cervical dysplasia is a precancerous condition caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Although most cases never develop into cancer, dysplasia is an unnerving diagnosis. When it happens during pregnancy, it can seem even scarier. The good news is many cases pose little immediate threat to either mother or child.

Diagnosis

• Once dysplasia is indicated via pap smear, an OB-GYN will perform a colposcopy to get a closer look at the affected tissues. This involves the use of a special vinegar solution and a microscope to see the extent and location of the infection. At this point, treatment is put on hold.

Treatment Timeline

• The condition is slow moving, so in its milder form, most cases of dysplasia can wait for treatment until after the baby is born. Childbirth itself has been known to "wash" away the abnormal cervical tissue in some women. Other women will require surgery to remove the affected areas of the cervix after childbirth.

Risks

• Although surgical treatment of dysplasia is avoided during pregnancy, the dysplasia itself will not impact the fetus during an existing pregnancy. However, complications are more likely for future pregnancies. There is a greater risk of premature delivery among women who have had cervical tissue removed.