So scared, I need a colposcopy while pregnant

[Fightingtobepositive]

Hello ladies. I am completely and utterly obsessed with worry,it’s taking over me, I can’t breathe properly, eat drink.

So I am 23 weeks pregnant and have been back and for numerous times to labour ward for spotting (because I have placenta privea I’ve been monitored) I’ve been examined by 3 doctors first looked and said they think they see a polyp and not to worry until after pregnancy, second said extensive ectropion and deal with it after pregnancy, now third doctor... wouldn’t say what she though it was but said she was a little concerned and sent me for urgent colposcopy (she said best to make it urgent because of pandemic) but didn’t say anything reassuring.

I am beside myself, I can only think the worse and now obsessing over symptoms I’ve had throughout my pregnancy, I’ve had dull aches lower down and around sides, spotting pinky mucus, lots of discharge on and off, quite a few pains and hip aches/pains. I’ve assumed I’m just being a baby while pregnant or could it be more serious than that? I feel so guilty that I may be making the baby anxious but I can’t control my anxieties.

Any info will be so appreciated x

www.nhsinform.scot/tests-and-treatments/non-surgical-procedures/colposcopy

Same here for an ectropian. Never heard of it before but the mad hormones caused it. Had a quick colposcopy, she poked it, made it bleed, told me it was an ectropian. I was so anxious she turned the screen round to show me and explained it all. Nothing to worry about.

I hope it’s that and you can have your mind put at rest quickly. They may be doing the quick turnaround pathway as you’re pregnant and due to Covid they have a big backlog so she’s bumping you to the front of the queue.

Are you up to date on smears and all normal?

Oh I’m sorry, I hadn’t seen all the updates.

You’re getting fantastic care and they’re working fast for you as you’re pregnant.

My ectropian looked very cross and bled lots, if that helps put your mind at rest.

Thank you @Ileflottante I just don’t get why no one will 100% diagnose it. That’s what’s worrying me.
All these doctors and a colposcopy and still not a definite answer.

It is an ivf pregnancy and I had ohss through it and found out I have placenta privea at 20 weeks and one mentioned the hormones may have angered it but still would like a second opinion.

What did they do for you, just confirm there and the ? No doubts? Did you have to go back? Xx

@stampsurprise thank you for trying to reassure. My mind is just such a crazy one. I can’t help thinking of every scenario and usually worst case 🙈

I have so many aches and pains it just freaks me out (before pregnancy I had pelvic pain and was told it was down to my endometriosis) x

@Fightingtobepositive I have exactly the same as you! I’ve had four bleeds, IVF pregnancy, they’ve seen the same things to you! Literally identical and I’m 21 weeks. I’ve had exactly the same symptoms you describe as well. I’m under a specialist consultant at the hospital and nobody has mentioned a colposcopy (not saying that’s right) - perhaps get a couple of opinions before making a choice?
I also have terrible anxiety about health and baby - stems from ivf in my opinion. It’s incredibly rare for it to be something untoward. Xx

Hi @RenMcCormackisafox congrats on the pregnancy. Anxiety is awful, but yes ivf really adds to everything doesn’t it. Has anyone give you a pelvic exam? Ectropion s are very common in pregnancy so maybe that’s why no one has sent you for a colp? Mine clearly isn’t your simple ectropion (if that what it is 🙏🤞) which seems to be proving difficult to diagnose. Mind it took 4 doctors to examine me before one sent me for the colposcopy. So it’s probably who you get to. Did you say you have placenta privea? I’ve been changed to consultant led now to xx

@Fightingtobepositive yeah I’ve had one every single time I’ve bled. Gotta love a speculum exam which has been so painful a couple of times (because of my very very angry posterior ectropion) that I’ve cried. I’ve seen 4 different doctors at the hospital at this point and they’ve put it down to my mad hormones and want to monitor it until my third trimester when they tend to calm down (28 weeks plus).
My specialist consultant is for other reasons as I don’t have placenta previa- I have always been consultant led due to being IVF pregnancy but I pushed for close monitoring due to my anxiety and now have a lead consultant and will have scans every two weeks from 26 weeks and see my consultant every fortnight at the moment. Feel free to advocate for yourself (politely obviously) to get what you need to feel safe and secure.

@Fightingtobepositive

Thank you *@Ileflottante* I just don’t get why no one will 100% diagnose it. That’s what’s worrying me. All these doctors and a colposcopy and still not a definite answer.

It is an ivf pregnancy and I had ohss through it and found out I have placenta privea at 20 weeks and one mentioned the hormones may have angered it but still would like a second opinion.

What did they do for you, just confirm there and the ? No doubts? Did you have to go back? Xx

I went to the GP initially with the abnormal bleeding and a nurse looked at it and a doctor. They weren’t sure at all so referred me and I was seen really fast too. It was a colposcopy nurse and I ‘fessed up to being sick with nerves (had previous abnormal smears and CIN3) and she diagnosed me there and then talked me through it. They didn’t do a biopsy.

However, I’ve had abnormal bleeding on another occasion and got referred again on the two week pathway by a GP. A consultant looked at me and did a biopsy and it was just CIN1 (minor changes) and he advised to leave them to see if they sort themselves out, advised me to have an annual smear instead of three-yearly which I did and they’d rectified.

Do you know if it was a colposcopy nurse who saw you or a gynae consultant? It may have been the specialist nurse who wanted to refer to a consultant to make sure. They’re only being super cautious with you I suspect because you’re pregnant and especially as your baby was IVF.

Relax and try to keep calm. The best thing that doctor ever told me was anything sinister down there is very slow to happen so if your last smear was golden it’s very unlikely to be anything nasty.

Now I’ve not endured IVF but I do know there’s a huge number of hormones and it’s an epic ordeal so it could just be a particularly angry ectropian caused by that and maybe even aggravated by a praevia. Basically, there’s a lot going on in that small area.

I’m thinking of you, I know how scary it is and it’s an all consuming anxiety of just wanting to know whatever the outcome. And you will soon. And also, don’t beat yourself up for being anxious and worry that you’re harming your baby. They’re just fine in there.

I had a colposcopy done while 16 weeks pregnant for similar reasons. I’m not going to pretend that it was enjoyable but not awful. They did a thorough internal camera review of my cervix to decide whether they wanted to go ahead. The consultant said he didn’t think it was cancerous (my cervix looked abnormal) but that he thought it should be biopsied. It was uncomfortable and the actual biopsy was a little bit painful but nothing I would have needed pain relief for. I bled quite a bit after and they asked me to sit and wait for an hour in the waiting room after the procedure. They all realised it was a pretty miserable procedure for a pregnant woman and everyone was very kind. I guess what I would say is that it’s effectively a cut to your cervix. It doesn’t go through or impact the baby at all, so while it’s a bit grim, I wouldn’t worry about the procedure itself. I would recommend taking a heavy duty sanitary towel and making sure you have someone to collect you.

@RenMcCormackisafox but all doctors seem to be in agreement that it’s an ectropion so I think that’s good. It’s still no fun though is it. Pregnancy is worrying enough with added anxieties.
So they said it would calm down at 28 weeks? Is there’s a time where they say it might be at its peak of anger? 🤦🏻‍♀️ I just find it so scary that no one can decide or agree on what they see. X

@Ileflottante so yours had got better than previous, am I right? Did the CIN show up in previous smears? It was a gayne consultant that I seen I think. I’m just beside myself and now I’ve been referred to a main hopital. I know there will be a longer wait so I don’t know how me and little man are going to cop, not to mention my poor partner. We forget they are with us in all this 💜

I’ve heard that so many times. About it being slow But I can’t help feeling it’s been a long time already and I’ve never had an exam as close as that. If it looks so big and angry I just can’t help thinking what if that’s because it’s getting more and more advanced.

My mindset is all over the place honestly I’m going crazy here.

Yes ivf does consist of a lot and then to have ohss which also consists of a crazy amount. I’m just praying that’s what’s caused a more unusual ectropion. But unfortunately don’t have the answers yet 🙏🙏🙏🤞🤞🤞

How are you feeling today OP?

Hi @stampsurprise thank you for checking in. Not a great day. Google has taken over my life at the min. I don’t think working from home helps at times like these. My apt is end of next week. So a little wait how are you? X

Please don’t Google symptoms - I’ve been there! You’ll drive yourself mad. Glad your appointment is soon - it’s the uncertainty and waiting thats the worst.!in a short while all this will be a distant memory and you will be able to enjoy the rest of your pregnancy

I am fine thanks - WFH and just trying to gear up some enthusiasm for it haha xxx

@stampsurprise think it’s to late. I honestly feel as if I can’t go about a normal day, just sitting here biting my lips and obsessing over every scenario.

Also WFH it’s tricky isn’t it. What a crazy time. Hope you’ve had more motivation than me today xx

I know it's really difficult but Google really isn't your friend here. I have developed serious health concerns over lockdown and Google has already predicted my demise. A lot of the info your find on the net will be out of date or just not relevant.
It is really difficult to not let this into your head (I know) but doing anything else to distract you from googling helps. I do a lot of colouring and making pom-poms helped a lot mindlessly wrapping wool round cardboard was all I could manage some days.
I know that pregnancy is a really vulnerable time be kind to yourself and step away from Google

Great advice above OP!

I am a worrier by nature but when I got an autoimmune disease and delayed getting help for TWO YEARS where I wasted time Googling stuff. My lungs wouldn’t be so scarred if I’d acted sooner.

I used to Google my medications when I had to start new ones and be in tears and a state of panic and could hardly swallow them. Only to find zero side-effects (apart from feeling better).

Step. Away. From. Google.

Thank you @Lizdeflores everything everyone says makes so much sense and calms me to read the comments. I’m just very emotional and as soon as I think I’m on the up something will set me off but thank you for your kindness. I hope your being kind to yourself too xxx

Hi OP I haven’t read the full thread but I’m also 23 weeks atm. Personally I’ve taken great comfort in knowing that once I’m 24 weeks if anything goes wrong and baby comes very early then they have a very good chance of survival

I was going to ask if you had had your most recent smear, then I saw you had. The smear test are spaced out as they are on purpose, and as far as I understand it, if no abnormal cells were detected at the last smear, it is unlikely that life threatening cancer would have developed in the meantime. I think for now just give yourself a huge pat on the back for going to your last smear test appointment and assume that it is something benign. Big hug

Thank you @PinkPlantCase xx

@Holly60 I hope so, I’ve just been a bit silly and googled as much as I possibly can and read some horror stories.

I’m scared that being pregnant may progress it faster or the fact that my placenta is sitting right in my cervix, I wonder if these things make things progress faster.

I’ve had aches and pains before pregnancy and spotting now and then but since being diagnosed with endometriosis I’ve always been told it probably that xx

www.healthline.com/health/cancer-in-pregnancy

Pregnancy does not cause or accelerate cancer.

I really think that endometriosis would be the cause of those symptoms OP. I am sure your doctors are right about that.

Hang in there!

Thank you for being so patient with my unbelievable anxiety @stampsurprise I just have every scenario running through my mind right now xxx