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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Smear after childbirth

17 replies

first1 · 20/04/2011 11:01

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!

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86cookie · 20/04/2011 11:07

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.

NichyNoo · 20/04/2011 11:52

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.

nunnie · 20/04/2011 11:59

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.

nunnie · 20/04/2011 12:01

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.

bessie26 · 20/04/2011 15:11

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!

Original poster

first1 · 22/04/2011 08:52

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

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theborrower · 22/04/2011 09:43

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?

Flisspaps · 22/04/2011 09:53

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.

theborrower · 22/04/2011 09:55

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

Flisspaps · 22/04/2011 10:00

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.

Original poster

first1 · 22/04/2011 10:08

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 :(

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theborrower · 23/04/2011 10:33

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.

Lollypolly · 23/04/2011 10:37

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.

theborrower · 23/04/2011 10:40

lollypolly - difference between me paying and my taxes paying

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

Firawla · 23/04/2011 20:39

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

Original poster

first1 · 24/04/2011 07:46

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!

OP posts:

hillee · 27/04/2011 04:50

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!

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