Colposcopy at 28 weeks??

[kitkat321]

After a couple of borderline smears and then one showing very minor changes, I had a colposcopy earlier in the year - on the same day that I had my 7 week scan.

After 2 early miscarriages I was expecting the worst again so though I may as well look after my own health. Consultant knew I was pregnant and said the procedure was perfectly safe. He concluded that there were only minor changes but that he'd like me back at 28 weeks to check.

I'm not 26 + 3 and really, really don't want another colposcopy until after the birth.

I've spoken to several midwives who have either expressed surprise or uncertainty as to whether or not this is safe. I've also read that during pregnancy, it can cause changes to the cells in your cervix and therefore a colposcopy now may not give an accurate view of any changes. Plus, regardless of results, there isn't much they can do now anyway!

The consultants plan was to have a further colposcopy about 6 weeks post birth which I'm fine with but even though I've had a nice, straightforward pregnancy, I really don't want to risk any harm to my baby at this stage.

Has anyone had this procedure at this stage? Or opted not to?

I'm just so unsure what to do - my gut says not to go ahead with it but I know the consultant will be full of reassurances that it's fine.

Help!!!

[Pisghetti]

The NHS advice is that colposcopy is perfectly safe during pregnancy however any cell changes won't be treated until after you have given birth. See here

However if you really don't want to go ahead then don't do it until after you've given birth. Since treatment won't be given anyway, I doubt it makes any difference to defer any further investigation.

[kitkat321]

Thanks pisghetti.

I'm in two minds whether to cancel or to turn up and hope that a discussion with the consultant helps put my mind at ease.

After my first one I had some mild cramping although no bleeding - I think it's mostly for my own sanity and peace of mind that I'd want to reschedule rather than any realistic risk to baby but the midwives I've spoken to have really put me off it although it's not really their area of expertise but having them express concern has made me worry.

[Missingcaffeine]

I had a colposcopy during pregnancy - but only for the consultant to examine the cervix. It was a check up post treatment and luckily when he looked everything was healthy but he told me he wouldn't have treated anyway. If he found something worrying, they would monitor and book me in for just after birth. They will not treat during pregnancy or do anything that could put your pregnancy at risk. Mine was in first trimester, which is a more dangerous time to have anything done, but it was all fine and I'm now 37 weeks.

[kkllww]

I had a colposcopy in my first trimester. They're very safe, they just won't take a biopsy until after you've given birth. I'm surprised they want you back if there were only minor changes though as mine showed minor changes and they were happy for me to wait until after I've had the baby to have another smear.

[Clairejessicamiller]

I would speak to your consultant and express yours and your midwifes concerns. At the end of the day though I would go with gut instinct and wait if you think that will put you more at ease :)

[Salene]

Hmmm I had the same by my health board wait untill after 3 months after birth to do anything. They won't even do a smear test when pregnant.

So I've to return at Xmas once baby out

[Missingcaffeine]

A smear test is different to colposcopy. Colposcopy is just viewing the cervix. A smear is removing cells from os of cervix - much higher risk. Cell changes can change more rapidly during pregnancy, as you're immunosuppresed, so it is good to have any changes closely monitored.