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Smears and pregnancy.

9 replies

OzJo · 11/07/2004 07:12

I have a history of dodgy smear results, touch wood, nothing that came to anything after some treatment. I heard the other day that a pregnant womans immune system is so repressed that even slight cervical abnormalities can develope dangerously quickly.
Has anyone else heard about this? Also, is it safe to have a smear when you're pregnant? ( I'm not but could be soon..and due a smear)

OP posts:

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zebra · 11/07/2004 10:47

Don't know about immune system thing, but smears are done routinely in the USA during pregnancy,so they obviously think it's ok. I think it's considered an unknown risk in the UK?

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gothicmama · 11/07/2004 10:51

If you are worried can you jhave teh smear before you become prg

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hana · 11/07/2004 11:40

they won't do a smear here when you are pregnant at least not in the early stages - I had an appt and had to cancel as I was 5 weeks pregnant with dd a few years ago. I ended up having it when she was about 6 weeks old instead. I would ask your gp or clinic nurse to see what's done in your area. ( I'm in London)

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littlemissbossy · 11/07/2004 11:43

Yes I agree, best advice is that you have a smear before you become pregnant

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Sandi102 · 11/07/2004 11:55

I had a smear test at the colposcopy clinic when I was 10 weeks preg..they'll b treating me this aug..3 months after given birth..its best to check out with ur gp, as each case is different

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muminlondon · 11/07/2004 12:26

Haven't heard this, and I've also had treatment for dodgy smears so I'm on yearly smears at the moment. I was advised by obstetrician when pregnant to delay the next smear until 6 months after the birth because the hormonal changes during and after pregnancy can throw up misleadingly abnormal results. Try to get it done before you're pregnant if possible.

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SofiaAmes · 12/07/2004 02:55

I had a smear in the usa while pregnant. My obgyn there seemed to think it was perfectly normal. Glad to hear that it's not just her, zebra, as I was a little disturbed by all the shocked reactions to a smear during pregnancy that I got from medical professionals in the uk when I got back.

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californiagirl · 12/07/2004 04:08

They positively insist on doing a smear at your first pg checkup here, unless your last one was within 6 months. And they did one at my 6 week post-baby check, but when it came back dodgy they said I shouldn't worry it was probably just because I'd just given birth!?

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OzJo · 16/07/2004 07:14

Dear all,
thanks for the input, weird how there's different approaches in different countries. Not pregnant, and smear booked now.