To think I did the right thing by cancelling my smear test?

[Sandybval]

I have no problem with smear tests, as soon as I get the letter I book one, and I like to get them done as soon as they're due.

But, I had to cancel one last week as I had a period (I'm not on contraception yet following birth as there's literally no need at the moment, so my periods are a bit all over the place and hard to predict)- as bad as I feel for missing an appointment I did let them know and properly cancel it. It was rescheduled for this morning but yesterday and last night I had such a jippy tummy, my brother had it over the weekend as well and we didn't eat anything the same; so I have had to cancelled today's both in case it is a bug and well....probably not the best time to be getting it out!

I am really worried though I will be banned from the doctors! I can't phone until they are open, but I cancelled the appointment on the online system as it's for very early this morning and their phone lines are always busy early. Was I right to cancel them both? I want to reschedule for asap but worried about potentially wasting another appt

It’s fine as long as you cancelled properly and didn’t just not turn up then don’t worry.
Hope you feel better soon.

Don’t worry, you won’t be banned. Hope you feel better soon.

Don't fret, you had no choice. If (unlikely) anyone mentions the cancellations you can just quickly say "oh yes, first time my period came early, second time I had a bug, what a pain".

They tell you to cancel when you're on your period so I can't see them having a problem with that. And if you phoned or cancelled online they will know you're not coming and be able to give your appointment to someone else. I think most drs only have an issue with no shows who don't cancel in advance and then just don't turn up, as the appointment cant be given to someone else

They told me it should be about 2 weeks after last period anyway and I dont think it would be particularly good to have it while on your period!

They will think absolutely nothing of it. People cancel/rearrange all the time.
If you can't get through to cancel in time because of the phone lines, they will understand that too.

As long as you have given notice to them should not be a problem .

Both perfectly valid reasons to have to postpone. Can't see why your GP surgery would have an issue.

you cant really give alot of notice re D&V but am sure they appreciate you not going in.

Just for info - when I went for my last smear I said it had taken a while to book outside of my period and the nurse that that it’s no longer a problem having a smear during period - something to do with changed technique/equipment/test?

Your GP surgery will probably be glad anyone with D&V bugs stay away. Call and double check they've seen the online cancellation if it'll help you feel better.

Is it full blown d and v? If so you’re right to cancel.

You did the right thing! Please don't stress. Feel better soon :)

Your cancellation frees up another emergency appointment for someone today. That someone won't know it's a cancelled appt but they will be really pleased that they managed to get an appointment today. You have done nothing wrong.

Thanks everyone, I never used to worry half as much about things before having children . They were fine and rebooked for next week.