Q&A: Will dysplasia of the cervix keep me from getting pregnant?

Most cervical cancers are not the familial type, so your Mom's history is probably irrelevant.

I would tell your doctor you're planning a pregnancy soon, so he or she will take special care to do the LEEP as shallow as possible.

LEEP stands for loop electrical excision procedure, and it's like a mini-cone biopsy -- to both diagnose your lesion as well as remove it completely. It's superior to a laser or freezing in that you have an actual specimen that can be read as "completely removed abnormal tissue." But there has been some talk in the literature about the risk of incompetent cervix with a subsequent pregnancy. Unfortunately, all of the destructive procedures carry this small risk. You'll probably be fine, but your OB may want to do some extra checks of your cervix after you get pregnant.

Your LEEP should be healed by about four weeks, and another month will see it back to normal. Partner with your doctor on when to attempt pregnancy, since he or she will provide the continuity of care from your dysplasia, its elimination, to your pregnancy.