Smear following 3rd degree tear

[Rowbot]

OUCH!!!!

I've just had one today following birth of my DD 16 weeks ago, and my lord did it hurt. I'm now terrified of DTD with DH again and worried something hasn't healed right down there! I'm breastfeeding and I know that affects it but even so it was 10 times worse than a pre-baby smear.

Anyone found a smear after childbirth so painful, even without a nasty tear?

Me! I had a c section, so had no damage down below. I've had 2 smears as the first was inconclusive. It was very painful indeed, not helped by the fact the brutal nurse used no lubrication.

I'm breastfeeding too. Perhaps that's the problem.

Thanks nancerama that's a little reassuring if it is just solely the breastfeeding, and actually no my nurse didn't use lubrication either even after I told her of the tear and breastfeeding. These nurses need some postpartum education!

I started a thread about this in the breast and bottle feeding section a couple of weeks ago. The general consensus was that the nurse was a cow and was badly misinformed. I have raised a formal complaint and she is now being investigated.

Oh blimey yes just read your thread! Good on you for making a complaint, sounds like you had it worse than me. Hope you get a formal apology for that offensive bedside manner!

I haven't had my smear yet (which was due when I was preg) as my practice nurse told me that they didn't do them until your baby was 6months (unless you had had a problem with a smear previously) as the results came back inconclusive due to the inflammation down there. As the recommendations are to BF for 6months maybe this is linked. Not looking forward to it when the time comes! Saying that my HV told me I would have it done at my 8week postnatal check!

6 months? Why aren't all clinics following the same? . Like new mums don't have enough to worry about!

Mine was OK - I had a 3a tear. In fact, the lovely nurse said to me 'Oh, you didn't tear then' as she started, and looked when I told her I'd had a 3a. She had a look for the scar after and said 'Oh yes!' but I took it as a compliment, and as praise for the work of the embroiderer!

pot123 AFAIK the guidance is to do one 12wks+ after birth, but no sooner. From patient.co.uk:

If you are due your routine cervical screening test and you are pregnant, this should be deferred until after your baby is born. Usually it is advisable to wait until you are at least 12 weeks postnatal. This gives the cervix a chance to recover from pregnancy and childbirth. Tests performed earlier are more likely to be inadequate.

Phew thanks for the clarification Fliss, mine also was a 3a tear, and at my gynae check at 6 wks postpartum was told it was healing well, so I hope it's just the breastfeeding.

Even if it's healing well, it's not unusual to still be sore - after all, you have had a whole person come out of a very, very little hole. I think I have some minor nerve damage so that may well be why I didn't feel sore then, or I may just be very lucky!

My GP did a smear at my 6 week check it didn't hurt.

She did use shed loads of lube though and said the cervix looked fine. I am BF and had had a 2nd degree (3rd last time)