Cervical Smear whilst pregnant?

[freckleye]

Just got my reminder through the post...not sure if you can have one when pregnant though? Will speak to my midwife on Wednesday but wondered what the consensus was on here? Thanks

I was due mine just as I found out I was pg and my MW said I will have to have one within 2 to 3 months of having bubs.

I had one at 6 weeks PG. It detected an infection which might have been bad for the pregnancy. I would ask advice from your midwife though.

You have to wait 'til baby is here. I received no less than 5 reminders during my pg (!) but you've just reminded me now I've had DS! :)

If it's a routine one then my GP recommended I wait till after baby comes, and wait till after 8 week check. I was due one with DD but I was on yearly ones due to previous history and I decided to wait had it when DD was about 10 weeks old.

Was due one again with DS and was going to make an appointment but found out I had fallen pregnant again, so this one will be alot later than I would like but it's my own stupid fault.

Thanks ladies as suspected I guess...totally forgot about it or would have got it sorted before ttc!

I had a letter too, just remind the GP to send you another letter post baby!

Interesting, I had my reminder recently. My MW at booking in suggested that I needed to have my smear at any time after 12 weeks pregnant. I am a little duious so perhaps need to check up on this.

Dubious - doh!

no they won't do it whilst pregnant - they even refused to do mine whilst i was trying!

You shouldn't have a smear whilst pregnant or breast feeding as the hormones can give false results. Make an appointment for as soon as you stop bleeding (post baby, if not breast feeding) or once you stop breast feeding.

I'd always heard you shouldn't have a smear when pregnant too. Hadn't heard that about breastfeeding - have had 2 smears while breastfeeding... Don't think anyone asked if I was or wasn't.

Okay, so I know some of you guys are saying to wait until you've had the baby, BUT, my sister was having some funny discharge at about 8 or 9 weeks, so her GP did a smear despite the pregnancy, and it turned out that not only had she got cancerous cells, but a whole massive tumour in her cervix. And I mean massive, like grapefruit-sized, and she'd had fuck-all symptoms. If she'd waited, both herself and my nephew would probably have died. As it was, she had to have modified chemo while pregnant, really intensive monitoring throughout, a planned CS, and then, once he was safely delivered (healthy!) she had much stronger chemo followed by two types of radiation. And she's okay now (got the all-clear a year ago) with a very healthy son, though she won't be able to have any more kids. She was 26 when she got diagnosed.

So I'd ALWAYS say go for the smear.

My GP said I would have to wait til post-natal :S
I would like to have one though to put my mind at rest, as reinforced by fingerscrossedgirl's message

fingerscrossedgirl, that's frightening for your sister. But a grapefruit sized tumour would have been picked up at the 12 week scan, surely? I'm so glad she's okay.

And I bfed dd for 3yrs. I had to have a smear in that time. I had 2 actually.

I think I will put it off until given birth (only 5 months late for the due smear) but I BF til 18 months or so, so will get it done in that time I imagine or will start to get a bit worried about the delay! Thanks for all your help and so glad your sister is ok now fingers x

Yes you need to wait til post natal. I. Was offered one 6 weeks post natal and booked an appointment onky for the nurse to tell me i had to wait til 4 month post natal aa the hormones can affect your results? So have to go back next mobth

I guess it would have, showofhands, but by 12 weeks they'd already started her treatment - another month's wait would have been time lost.

Thanks guys. She's doing great now - a few side-effect, including the menopause at 28 (ouch) but still. And her son is thriving

I don't mean to scaremonger, and of course do what your GP says, but you know - scary!

It is suggested don't have a smear whilst you are pregnant as there is a change in cervical cells during pregnancy and this means that many women are called back with abnormal results, when the results are "normal" for pregnancy iyswim. However it is worth mentioning it to your midwife to check your own trusts protocols.