cervical smear after pregnancy

[skerriesmum]

OK, my son is 16 months now and I suppose I should go get a smear. I can't remember the last time I had one before I got pregnant... dh is bugging me to get one done. Just curious to know when most people thought of this?

[skerriesmum]

after their babies I mean

[mummytosteven]

I had ds in March, and was due one end of last month - have to confess I am terrified - my first one was a nightmare - took 40 minutes just to get speculum in right place - given that I still have soreness there am chickening out for the mo. I don't really want to turn up to practice nurse after a few glasses of wine - it will not give the right impression... Sorry if that's not much help - will read the other responses to the thread with interest

[skerriesmum]

Oh, sounds yuck. That also seems very soon after your delivery... did your GP tell you to make an appt, or the hospital?

[gingernut]

I had one when ds was about 20 months. I hate them and it wasn't nice- she was delving around for quite a while (but not 40 minutes, blimey MtoS!). However, I'm glad I went and got it over with. Certainly it isn't as bad as childbirth and best to get everything checked!

skerriesmum, did you know they don't do smears as frequently these days? I think it's now every 5 years (used to be every 3 years) unless you've had problems in the past. So you may not be due one anyway. Doesn't your surgery have a record of your last one? They usually invite you to come in if you're due for one.

HTH.

[mummytosteven]

My last one was may 2001 so they obviously haven't heard about this five year thing at my GPs. It was the GP, not hospital that said to get a smear now. Allegedly I had a really far set back cervix which was why it took so long - but noone doing the various scans/internals during ante-natal care/labour ever commented on where mine was so not sure if that was true!!! It was pretty terrifying as I had been told that the speculum bit was the painless bit, and the smear was the painful bit - tho I found the speculum bit agony, and the smear bit virtually painless. Oh well - I shall have to pluck up courage at some point soon...

[madcyclist]

hi,
i had one at my 6 week check with the doctor. It was just another thing to contend with I'm afraid.
It made me a bit worried when they put the speculum in. Before birth I used to find that very very tight. I didn't notice it after birth! Is that TMI??
Best to get it doen I reckon. These things have a habit of bugging you...

[hana]

I had to cancel a smear test shortly after I found out I was preg with DD, ended up having it when she was about 10 weeks old. It's every 3 years in my area, but I have one done every year My mum and sisters living outside the UK have 'irregular' cells and have them done every 6 months, I figure every year will catch anything irregular for me. It's not been a problem requesting one that frequently.
def make your appointment though, grin and bear it!

[popsycal]

I was due one when I got preg and had it after ds was born - think it had to be 12 weeks or something.

was remarkably quick - much quicker than it used to be - and pain free.
HTH

[MadameButterfly]

I had my smear test today.

My last one was 3 years ago but before that they were yearly as I have had dodgy smears in the past.

I agree with popsycal it was so quick and painless that I did not even realise that she had done it.

[MadameButterfly]

Forgot to say my DD is 22 months old

[Chuffed]

Also had mine at the 6 wk check. Probably just as painful as normal maybe a bit more so but unfortunately it is one of those things we have to just grin and bear. Get it over and done with, one less thing to have to worry about.

[bundle]

when dd2 was only about 8 or 9 weeks, as I was overdue one. hurt a bit, more than usual

[Hulababy]

I had mine last Monday, DD is 26 months. I was actually recommended by GP to have one done a year after pg, but somehow - what with moving, etc - didn't get round to it. My reminder for a smear test actually came the Friday before mine was booked for - as already mentioned, it's now every 5 years not 3 it would seem. Have to say that although I was dreading it (hate them) it was done very quickly and although uncomfortable not painful for me this time round.