To ask if it's ok to have a smear this soon after birth?

[Witsendmummy]

Got a letter for my 1st smear test while I was pregnant so called and they said to wait till after birth. Baby is 5 weeks now I called and asked how long I need to wait. The lady booked me in for next week so will be 6 weeks after birth. Is it ok to have one this soon? Does anyone have experiences of having one soon after a natural delivery I'm worrying 🙈

It's usually 3 months after a baby

I had Mine at the same time, and it was no more painful than any others I've had done.

I did, it was fine

Uncomfortable rather than painful!

I've also had a letter for a smear whilst pregnant. I was told to wait 3 months after the baby has been born to go for it.

I tried to make an appointment at my doctor and they said wait til 3 months after the birth

I wonder if she didn't realise you should wait 3 months or if it's not a set rule?

It’s standard at the 6 week post birth obstetrician check up here (not in the UK)...I’ve only had c sections though but not sure if that makes a difference.

I was told to wait three months and the nurse asked me at least twice how old my baby was while she was getting everything ready.

I had one during my first midwife check up after the birth, about a week maybe two post partum. I wasn't expecting it, it was just 'i'll take a smear while i'm up there' whoosh! She inserted the speculum, turned round to get a swab and the speculum slid out onto the floor!

• i'd had forceps birth and 4th degree tear and was in agony. ** i'm not in UK, if that makes any difference.

If i were to have another child, i wouldn't go for a smear test until 6 months post partum, or longer. DS is 6.5 YEARS old and i haven't been back for another

Sorry to derail but I had Mine at 6/7 weeks Pp & was sent for a colposcopy. After the results came back I'm now down for yearly smears. Could it of been wrong because I had one so early?

I was told if it as done before 12 weeks, there was a higher risk of abnormal results. Not sure how accurate that is though!

I think the letters are sent out automatically from the NHS and not your surgery. Just wait until 3 months have passed to book it

I think I'll run back and ask her to check!

I was told 12 weeks by a midwife while pregnant, by a gynaecologist who fitted my coil, a GP at antenatal appointment and the receptionist asked if I would be at 12 weeks post partum before booking me in for the smear appointment.

Some surgeries used to do a smear at the six week check, but the results are not as accurate 6w pp. You need to book a smear for 12 weeks. www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening/when-its-offered/

Practice nurse here. Guidelines say 12 weeks.

Are you still bleeding? I’m pretty sure I was at that point, if only lightly, but was under the impression this can make a sample contaminated.

Personally I’d rebook when I felt comfortable with it unless there were other reasons that I needed one done ASAP.

You shouldn't have it until 12 weeks, as others have said. There's a high risk of false positives if you have it earlier.

Practice nurse here. National guidelines say to allow 12 weeks (for cervical cells to regenerate). Any sooner could produce an unreliable result.

12 weeks, any sooner result will be affected by recent cervix changes postpartum.

My DD is 6 weeks. When I was discharged from hospital the MW said to leave it till 6 months. The HV and community mw all said the same.

Guidelines say twelve weeks.
Practice nurse,

Practice nurse.
Guidelines say twelve weeks to allow cervical cells/hormones to settle.

@cptartapp you answered this twice, one year apart