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

Oh I just commented on your other thread! That sounds positive. Ectropians can look really bloody awful, especially when pregnant. It’s so great how well you’re being looked after. Deep breaths and lots of relaxation now.

Sorry about the late reply guys. I’ve been avoiding the net while I wait for this next appointment 🙏🙏🙏🤞🤞🤞 but I will keep you updated.

Thank you for being so kind 💜 Hope your all well xx

Isn’t comfortable not keeping an eye. I’m 29 weeks pregnant now. I was just hoping to enjoy it and Kind of not have have something so scary hanging over my head. I’m assuming they are just keeping an eye until they can biopsy? Has anyone who’s had a colp, had another to monitor?

Retype*

Hi all thought I’d fill you in. I’ve had my third colposcopy and the doctor has said he’s not
to concerned but can’t see anything immediately worrying, but has still booked me to have another in 6 weeks. I am grateful for the good
News but can’t help feeling anxious that he still
Isn’t comfortable not keeping an eye. I’m 29 weeks pregnant now. I was just hoping to enjoy it and Kind of not have have something so scary hanging over my head. I’m assuming they are just keeping an eye until they can biopsy? Has anyone who’s had a colp, had another to monitor?

Hi @Fightingtobepositive

I've had a similar experience. Had my smear about a month before I found out I was pregnant which resulted in finding abnormal cells. Due to personal circumstances etc I had to put off having a colposcopy twice (over about a period of a month) and was actually about 2 months pregnant by the time I had my appointment.

As far as I was concerned there was nothing to worry about and I went away happy. I then received a letter saying that on reflection a second opinion would be advisable. I had the second appointment, a third appointment and a fourth appointed all the time feeling more and more stressed (this was over the length of my pregnancy). I finally had the Lletz procedure about 3 months after ds was born. It was uncomfortable but honestly fine!

I had another smear 6 months later and everything was fine.

I know it's hard after everything you've been through but try to relax. You're in the best hands!

@SnowWhitesRestingBitchFace thanks for reply, sorry you had that stress through pregnancy to. It’s no fun is it. how often did you have the colps? Did they say the reason they kept checking you at the time? Did they find something when putting the dye on?

My smear isn’t due until June and my last was fine. But obviously I’m right close to needing another 😓🙏🤞. I know that they are saying positive things. I just can’t help feeling they are just being safe at the moment but don’t actually know what’s going on. He said himself the thing they are looking at on My cervix isn’t like anything he’s seen before xx

The reason they're keeping an eye is because pregnancy can accelerate the growth of something nasty. So it isn't necessarily that they think it needs constant monitoring, just that because of your pg IF it was cancerous then that can cause it to grow more quickly than if you weren't pg.

So they're monitoring what your body does rather than being worried that what they've seen looks worrying, IYSWIM?!

@G3ntlemanJ they said there was no change from
Last colp (4 weeks ago) to this one and now have another no about 6 weeks. I’m thankful that so far there’s not much concern 🙏🤞 but it is taking some positivity and enjoyment from this pregnancy because of the worry x

@G3ntlemanJ sorry IYSWIM?

I had to have two colposcopies whilst pregnant, the second was at 33 weeks. And then I had a LLETZ 5 months post partum, and my period decided to show up the day before! Super fun times.

@AngeloMysterioso do you Mind me asking if they found anything during the colps or was it only after the birth? What was the reason for the colps? Xx

I haven't read the full thread, but I just wanted to leave a message in case it would help to reassure you.
I had a colposcopy at 25 weeks pregnant, for mostly the same reason that you described in your OP. I didn't have a follow up colposcopy, so I can't comment on that, but I did have a biopsy, and as far as I'm aware, it was just done as a precaution - the consultant honestly didn't seem overly concerned, but seemed to think it was worth doing since I was there anyway, just to cover all bases. It seems terrifying to have such an invasive procedure whilst pregnant, but of course they wouldn't carry out these things if there was a risk. I also had an area of ectropian cauterized (sp?), and whilst I was crampy after, there were no ill effects, and it stopped the spotting that I'd suffered with all the way from 4 weeks pregnant to 25 weeks pregnant.

@FayleWatersWaters so they did a biopsy while pregnant? Wow I’m sorry that must have been a worrying time. We’re the results ok?
They just keep saying growth when they describe it, no one really knows what it is but I’ve had 3 colps now and thankfully no biopsy. But when I’m in these rooms with them I just hide in my shell and can never think of all the things I need to ask 🤦🏻‍♀️ Thank you for your reply, Knowing you had treatment and all was well is so good to hear xx

@Fightingtobepositive they found dodgy cells during a smear in June 2018 and I had my first colposcopy a month later. Then had to have them semi-regularly to keep an eye on the dodgy cells until the LLETZ last April when they zapped them all out. Had my first smear since then a few weeks ago which I’m waiting for the results of.

Thank you for sharing @AngeloMysterioso. I hope your results were all good.

So it’s because of the smear results not actually anything they’ve seen? Xx

Are all good*

@Fightingtobepositive yep the results were normal, and I had no follow ups after, and back to normal smears after giving birth (I had one last summer and it was normal too).
It was all such a shock at the time because I thought I was just going in for a colposcopy - so just a look really. And then the biopsy and the cauterisation treatment out of the blue did give me a shock and as you say, I wasn't up to asking all the questions and finding out what they were checking for and why.
I would try not too worry too much in your position (easier said than done I know), and assume they are just being very thorough, which is ultimately a good thing x

Hi, I am almost 9 weeks pregnant and had a colposcopy last week. I was terrified but they told me there and then it was all fine. I have my fingers crossed it's the same for you.

@Fightingtobepositive the smear flagged up pre-cancerous cells, I don’t think it was something the nurse witnessed with her own two eyes at the time. During the colposcopies they did the vinegar thing and kept track of what was happening that way. They might have taken a biopsy at some point, I can’t remember now!

Off the top of my head I think my appointment to were something like this...

First colposcopy - September

Second - December

Third - February

Fourth - April

It was nearly 3 years ago now so I'm a bit iffy with timings.

I think the cells were fairly high grade so they needed to keep an eye on the speed they were developing at incase treatment was needed during my pregnancy. Thankfully it didn't come to that!

Thank you ladies. Sorry for late reply I forgot mumsnet password. I’m still being monitored for now 🙏🤞. But thank you all for sharing xx