Pap smears

[*LittleMissSummer*]

I will be really honest and say i have never booked myself in to get one. I have been meaning to for a few years but i always forget

I am guessing that its necessary to have one now that im pregnant. Will the doctor or midwife think bad of me for not having one??

[leckert]

I checked with my obs and GP and they said to have it done after pg finished - I was due for one about 3 months preg. Mainly due I think from memory is that a pap smear checks cells in the cervix so they don't like to do them while pg. Maybe ask them to write it on your notes to have one at your (post birth) 6 week check up, that's what I did.

[MummaSue]

I've not had one for a while either, mainly because I've had so much surgery and investigations done "down there" that I just..... forgot.

My GP and FS told me that it's ok to wait until baby is born, and I should get one at my 6 week check up.

S X

[briggsy's girl]

i was due a smear just before i was pg (hadn't received the reminder when i got BFP) - had it done at 8 week post partum appt instead

[~clover~]

I was always too embarrassed to have one. Didn't get around to it til my 6 week check up either
That was after DD2...thats the only one I've had
I'm having a few probs at the moment, so when I finally get myself to the docs I'm sure thats the first thing they'll do.

[Mummato2]

Don't beat yourself up too much - I had my first at 20, then 22 and then nothing until 29 about a month before I fell pregnant with this baby.

Can I suggest waiting until bubs is born and if possible, go about 6 months afterwards?

I know a lot of women get them done at their 6 week PP checkup, but because the cells and cervix are still settling down at that point, it can lead to false results - and greater stress than necessary.

Chat with your Dr and see what they say

[AliBaby]

You wont be able to get one when you are pregnant as the cervix is closed and they wont get all the cells they need to collect.

I had one at my 6wk checkup after having DD. I figued they were looking there anywhere. I have to go again in a month as theey didnt do it properly

It is important to get done even though you may feel embarrassed. Doctors have seen it all before and if you are with a doctor you trust, they will make you feel as comfortable as possible.

My little sister is 21. She had her first one at 20 after I told her she really should get one and it turned out she had that HPV and had to have surgery to remove cells that could have turned cancerous. I am pretty sure that they told her that because she has had this, it now reduces her fertility.

[ss_storm]

Don't stress too much hun...I got one done at my 6 week check up, I would probably suggest leaving it for a bit longer after that though as it hurt almost as much as the birth! Lol

[~me~]

They don't usually do it while you are pregnant and offer/ask at your 6/8wk post natal check.

I wouldn't be embarassed about it, as in not having them done. My OB was telling me she has two patients who have to have a general anaesthetic to have them done.

I have had them done since I was 18yrs old and every 2yrs. It's one of those things before kids you really have to make yourself go, after kids it doesn't seem so bad
I had one done only a couple of weeks before I conceived my now 2mth old and the Dr routinely did a chlamydia swab as well as he explained a lot of women had it without realising as they didn't have any symptoms. Apparently this is quite common these days.

As Mummato2 said..talk to your OB, GP or MW next time you see them.

[~Kim~]

no they won't think bad of you. I actually had one done before I found out I was preg with the Little Guy.

[mbear]

I know they're not pleasant...(understatement there...),but just a friendly reminder that they are sooo important - i have had 2 girlfriends in the past not have them done, and when they do they unfortuantely receive bad news.......call me an ole nag, but please, if you havent had one/due for one get it done....*warning, cliche here* it could save your life......

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Dp has been on my case about it for months. Whenever an ad or someone mentioned it he would slap my knee and say i have to get one. I just feel awkward having someone 'down there' but i guess after the baby i shouldn't be so shy

[onthefly]

I just feel awkward having someone 'down there' but i guess after the baby i shouldn't be so shy

Nope, having a baby will definately cure you of that!
I think it's fairly standard to have one at your 6-week post-partum checkup.

[Cherished]

You are only 21 so don't get too worried about it! Most dr's suggest you get one when you become sexually active. I haven't heard of dr's giving pregnant woman a pap smear, it has never been a question that I've been asked when pregnant. It's nothing to worry about, dr's are used to doing them and after years of med school it will just be another pap smear, if you would feel more comfortable going to a dr that does them every day rather than a GP find a gynecologist.

[PumpkinZulu]

I actually have to disagree with that statement that you're only 21 so don't worry. I'm 19 and I've had 4 pap smears in as many years. First one I had when I became sexually active (which is what is recommended) at 16. Second after I broke up with my (cheating) bf at 17. Third just before I was pg for the first time when I was 18 (last year) and then my last was after my second m/c. Abnormal results were found at the 3rd and 4th ones. Nothing serious, but still worth being checked out. It is a common misconception that if you are young you shouldn't worry. I was (am) young AND had only had a few sexual partners, never had an STI, and still had some abnormal cells. So I would follow everyone elses advice on getting one after you have bub. Xx

[boomba]

I have had both pap smears done while pregnant usually between 6 and 8 weeks?? Surely my OB would have said if you cant?

[*LittleMissSummer*]

Its not that i thought im young it wont happen to me. A girl i went to school with her mum got cervical cancer at 30. Just life got in the way, but i have had only one sexual partner but if i had of changed partners i would have had one as well as made the new guy get a test to make sure he doesnt have anything.

After the baby is born i will definitely get on track with making sure i have one every couple of years.

[Fleur]

I had my first ever pap smear when I was early PG with DD1 (I was 16) and got abnormal results back.

Cervical cancer has such a good success rate when caught early.

Please go & get it done at your 6 week check at least - a bit of embarrassment is nothing when it could mean your life ....


ETA - I had only had one partner when I had my first smear too