Smear test - how soon after pregnancy/birth?

[Emmanj]

Hi there,
wonder if anyone can help...had a smear in July 2007, all clear. Gave birth 4 months ago. A few people have told me you're supposed to have a smear test 6 months after giving birth. is this true? rang GP and they jsut said to wait until my routine letter comes through, which if its every 3 years as i understand it, will not be until 2010????
any advice greatly appreciated x

I had mine at my six week check. GP did it herself. I was overdue one though.

mine was done at my 8 week check

did not have examinations down below at my GP checks as midwives had checked on home visits and given the 'all ok'? shoul di request to get one done?

I thought they weren't supposed to do them at the 6 week check anymore

You won't need one until July 2010!
Being pregnant/post-natal per se isn't a reason to do a Pap test.
They used to (in the old days) take them opportunistically at a p/n check because their wasn't a system to call women in. And you were there, with the appropriate bits being examined already IYSWIM
Now there is a system for calling women in (since 1988 actually!)

See the NHS Cervical Screening Programme website for more details. This is a link to their publication which is the rules, regs, guidance on who should be screened, when and what the indications are for taking a Pap test outside the normal scheduled time.

Always go to your GP if you have any symptoms such as pain, bleeding etc.

Of course if you are due for one, then we (in the lab) ask the surgery to wait until at least 12 weeks post-natal because they can be a bit tricky to read before then.
HTH

thanks Bellanoir, this was really helpful! x

i had smear when ds was 13 wks