6 Week Check up rant

Hi everyone,
Ok I went in for my 6 week check up today and being my first baby I wasnt really sure what to expect, Thought it would just be a quick check up on general health, maybe a feel of the tummy to check how that was going and maybe giving my stitches ( Episiotomy and tearing :( )a quick lookover. What I was not expecting was the apperance of the dreaded speculum and a suprise pap smear!! I was not prepared for that at all, I still dont even feel ready to DTD let alone be invaded by that damned evil medical device! And to make matters worse my period apparently started today so the pap smear was unusable! I have to go back in 2 weeks to get it done again!:(
I know after having a baby a pap smear isnt much to worry about but I just feel like it was sprung on me and im a little bit in shock! I havent actually had a pap smear before so not sure if it was supposed to sting or not? Anyway I just wanted to get that off my chest, thanks for putting up with my ranting...

I was given a pap smear at my 6 week check with DD2. Only coz I'd never had one & They did talk to me about it first.
I actually did tell them when I made the appt I needed one.

the dr should have asked prior to doing anything, id actually lodge a complaint about that!!

my dr would do one that soon after birth as he said the test more often comes back wrong!

I was told that I would need a pap smear at my 6 week check up with my OB first time around so I wasn't surprised (didn't like it any more even though I knew about it!!)

I think its a pretty common thing to get done. Probably cos they are checking down there anyway.. must just figure.. well.. since I'm down here... ;)

I'm not looking forward to one in 5 weeks time!!!! (However I have noticed that OB's are MUCH more gentle and more efficient than any local GP's I have had them done through... )

What the?? Sorry, you are the patient and still have a choice and option to say no - I would not have had one with either of my two at 6 weeks - another 4 weeks and then get it done.

At my 6w i didnt have mine done, it was sprung on me, and i was ok with getting it done then and there, but the doctor said he will put it off for another week because he sprung it on me and wanted me to be prepared for it lol.
He did also mention to me after asking if id had any stitches down there (i hadnt) that they generally dont do pap smears on women who have had stitching down there til about 12w after the birth..not sure if thats my doc in general, or if its the same all around??
I dont think that that was all that fair and nice of the doctor to do that. Really he should have asked you, and asked if you were okay with it. Is he your usual doctor??

I havent had one before and knew I needed one but I thought it might be booked in for a later date. She was telling me about it and I was thinking ok I must book that in and then she said ok hop up on the table! I just thought what? now? I thought ok well she will check the stitches before going ahead and doing anything but nope she just proceeded with the pap smear! Stung like hell, I nearly jumped off the bed! :( She is my usual doctor and up until this has been really great, she is still a great doc but a little more warning or prep next time would be nice!

while i cant add anything specifically constructive, i can say i feel for you. your health care provider has a duty of care to fully inform you re procedures,, and you have the right of refusal without predjudice. BTW i am a health care worker (non medical) and a welfare student. i am so sorry you were made to feel so uncomfortable.

Hi kris :D

She shouldn't have done it without making it clear what she was going to do first. It doesn't sound very professional. No wonder it hurt you, if your not ready for an uncomfotable procedure like a pap smear then you seem to tense up ouch!!!!

:hug: Kris...sorry your first pap smear was a shock!

I got out of mine at the 6 week check cause I told my ob I had my last pap smear 12 months ago (which I did) so my ob let me off..hehe

wow - would have been nice if they'd sent u a letter first!!

Iwent in for my 6wk check up and had to ask if she wanted to check how the stitches were healing... WTF. Isn't that her job?

After DD1 the doctor took my word that everythign was fine. Pap was att he time up to date and not needed.

DD2 was born, i never bothered with a 6 week check up...

Now preg, im due for a pap and the hossy just said to get it done at 6 weeks check up....

Eek! Geez not at all what you want your very first pap smear experience to be is it?

I remember that being sprung on me at my 6 week check and I just looked at her and said "you have GOT to be kidding. I don't THINK so!! ".. She said "fair enough I'll see you in a few months" :lol:

Which reminds me I need to go again :doh:

That's not a nice thing to spring on someone! I had my last one done just before I fell pg so didn't need it doing then, but I'd have refused. Or at least screamed "what the blazes is that thing and where are you sticking it?" then offered some suggestions where if could be stuck, IYKWIM.

My GP didn't want to check the stitches, she asked if I felt OK or had any problems, then DS woke up so we went straight to admiring him rather than completing my check-up!