Smear after childbirth

[first1]

I've never had a smear before. I'm 23 so don't full into the nhs guideline of being 25 but my gynae consultant said all women who've has a baby should have one. Had my baby 11 months ago is that enough time for the cervix to "heal"? And what can I expect? Pain? Bleeding? How long do results take? Thanks!

hi ,
i was told by my midwife too that as i also dont fall into the 25 catch group , i still require one after having a baby.
Im sure 11 months is ok , but your g.p should arrange this for you.
From what i have heard they arent very comfortable, but just thinks its for a good reason.

I was always told by my GP to have them once I was sexually active and have been having them for years. I had a baby 8 months ago and my doctor gave me a smear at the 6 week check up.

I was due one when pregnant with DD and was told to make it once bleeding had cleared up, and if I felt more comfortable I could do it after 1st period had finished. I had it about 3 months after she was born. Was due one when pregnant with DS and would have had it at about the same time, but with Christmas I decided I would wait till after my next period which would ahve been 4 months but it never came so will have to wait till this one is born now.
I have had a few due to problems and no they aren't comfortable but they aren't painful and if you are nervous they can use a small spectrum. If you have been advised to have one then you should, and they don't take long.

The guidelines were changed and they aren't carried out routinely when you become sexually active anymore it was changed to 25 for some reason.

I think I had a smear 6months after giving birth with no problems.

Results usually take around a week, I've never had any pain or bleeding & compared to giving birth it's like a stroll in the park!

Thanks had it yesterday just glad it's over! Definitely uncomfortable but compared to labour...!

first1 - I've come to this thread a bit late, but if anyone else is reading, I was sent reminders about my smear when I was pregant, so at my 6 week check I asked the Doctor when I should have one, and I'm sure she said I could have one after 12 weeks and my lochia had stopped, so I did. We are offered routine smear checks every 3 years in Scotland, and I've been having them since I was 18/sexually active I think. Do you need to be over 25 in England/other parts of the UK?

I had one at 12 weeks post partum. No issues. MW said 'ooh, no stitches then' when I'd actually had a 3rd degree tear, so either I'd healed marvellously or she wasn't really taking much notice of my fanjo.

theborrower Yes, 25 for your first smear in England now, which I think is bloody ridiculous as I had abnormal cells checked through a colposcopy and cryotherapy treatment at 21.

Flisspaps that is bloody ridiculous. Take it this is a budget issue ?

No, apparently the incidence of abnormal cells in u25s is so low that it wasn't worth testing everyone routinely from 20.

I'd beg to differ.

Oh god, don't get me started on this! The whole thing about England/Scotland beginning the screening programme really winds me up. I'm 23, been sexually active since 17. Anyone of any age can go for sexual health screens so I just don't get why there is this 25 bracket. But yes as I've said above, had my first smear yesterday (only because of having a baby) and I'm already bricking it about the results :(

first1, don't stress out. I'm sure things will be fine. The results are fairly quick so you don't have to wait too long.

Sorry but the UK is so annoying - everywhere I have lived, you get a smear every 12 months once you are sexually active. I asked my gynae in Singapore why every 2 years in the UK and 12 months here - he told me it was the difference between me paying and my taxes paying

Here you get a smear at your 6-7 week postnatal check - it's obligatory, even if you had one just before falling pg.

lollypolly - difference between me paying and my taxes paying

Exactly. That said, I love the NHS and wouldn't swap it!

oh really they still gave it to you under 25?? my midwife asked b4 if i've ever had them and i said no so they said have it after giving birth and then checked the age and said oh no actually you're too young, so wait til 25. i am on my 3rd pregnancy now and still not had any smear done! but i think after this one maybe i will ask them

Firawla - I didn't think I'd need one for a couple of years either but my gynae consultant insisted whatever age you are, after giving birth all women should have one. Congrats on third pregnancy!

I had one at my six week check up. In Australia we also routinely have them from the time you are sexually active. It's not a big deal at all, it takes one minute and then it's over!