Smear tests in early pregnancy

[Vwmkemz]

Hi, I’m currently 5 weeks pregnant and I’m having a bit of a battle with my GP. Last year I had a smear test positive for HPV and now have to be checked once a year, I knew I wanted to try for a baby in December so I have tried every month for 6 months to get it done early and each time they have said the lab won’t accept my tests as it’s too early and that it’s fine to test in early pregnancy, my smear is now due and when I went to go get it done at my GP last week they refused to do it saying they would need to speak with the lab but I am yet to hear anything back, has anyone had the same situation? I know I’m silly and should have waited to try till after my smear but I was told I may never be able to have kids naturally because of my endometriosis and surgery I had done last September said I am more likely to be able to conceive up to a year after surgery and I just couldn’t wait any longer. thanks :)

I haven’t had the same situation but I do know they won’t do a smear when you’re pregnant. Apart from the tiny risk of miscarriage, pregnancy also skews the results and can cause a positive result when things are, in fact, perfectly normal. You’ll need to wait until 3 months PP for your next one (which reminds me I need to book mine in now!)

Thanks NoParticularPattern I wish they just told me that rather than mucking me about must have been for 4 appointments that they haven’t been able to do as they said in early pregnancy it’s fine and doesn’t skew the results 🙈 I was just worried if I had positive test last year if it was ok to leave it a year and Pap screening guidance online says if you had a positive test it’s best to have one done in pregnancy but think I will just leave it now till I’m 3 months PP just easier that way.

This is just anecdotal. But I had a smear it came back as 'changing cells'. The next week I found out I was pregnant.

It could be possible that the face I was pregnant night have affected the results? I had a smear the following year and it was all normal.

...
So this could possibly be why they won't give you a smear whole pregnant.
Also a risk of introducing infection perhaps?

Can't you get HPV test which is swab from your vagina not cervix?

'Evidence shows HPV testing is a better way of identifying women at risk of cervical cancer than the cytology (smear) test that examines cells under a microscope'

phescreening.blog.gov.uk/2017/06/14/what-gps-need-to-know-about-the-introduction-of-primary-hpv-testing-in-cervical-screening/

You can buy a test kit from pharmacies

onlinedoctor.superdrug.com/hpv-test.html

A smear test looks for HPV, and only If positive will then look for abnormal cells.
The hormones of pregnancy cause cervical cell changes so we don't do smears whilst someone is pregnant, as results can indeed be skewed.
You'll have to wait until three months post parfumerie as per national guidelines.
The problem with swabbing for HPV is that if positive, you can't do anything anyway. So hardly reassuring.

*partum

This is incorrect, it is perfectly safe to have a smear test in pregnancy. Where I live it is done on everyone at 12 week scan as standard.

If you look on the NHS website you can see they also recommend it for anyone who has had abnormal results recently or who hasn't had one in the last 3 years. It costs money, in pregnancy they might have to repeat test if unclear, hence they don't do them routinely on the nhs. It has no effect on the pregnancy.

You can see the NHS guidelines here:
''But, if you've previously had an abnormal result from a cervical screening test, you may need to be screened while you're pregnant. Your GP or midwife may ask you to have a cervical screening test at your first antenatal appointment. This test will not affect your pregnancy.''

www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/pregnancy/can-i-have-a-cervical-screening-test-during-pregnancy/

So for you, as someone who has had previous abnormal results, they definitely should be offering it to you.

Its really shocking how many people get told no and scared into the whole ' it will cause a miscarriage' when it is completely false, and could e life threatening to certain people, especially those like yourself

Thank you all for your comments it’s been really helpful.

Caspianberg I know right most information I see is that it is routine to have a smear in the first 8-12 weeks as part of pre-natal checks, I showed this to my GP the NHS website and they said they don’t go by that they go by the government of public health website 🤷‍♀️ so much conflicting and contradictory information it’s unreal and as first time being pregnant completely overwhelming what to do for the best.

I think I will pursue with GP to find out what the lab says who tests the smear samples as surely they should know what the protocol is if not will just have to wait till after baby and hope nothing develops as I have been told that a positive test last year doesn’t mean a positive one this year especially if my immune system has got better then the HPV would be suppressed so fingers crossed thanks again all :)

I was due a smear test same month I found out I was pregnant and my GP also said not to book until after I'd had the baby. Have you had your booking in appointment with the midwife yet? Mine is next week and was planning on checking with them then.

I was due my smear last month I told my consultant and she said to book in for 6 weeks after I had had baby as they won't do it I rang my GP and they said same

No I haven’t had my midwife booking yet Yaty so I will remember to bring it up with them, good idea 👍 be interesting to hear how you get on see if that is the general rule. I understand if it’s a standard 3 yearly check but when you’ve been asked to go yearly it seems a bit odd they won’t do it or maybe that’s just me being awkward 🙈😂

I’m a Practice Nurse and at every update I attend we get told not to sample pregnant ladies, we have to wait until 12 weeks post partum.
They could refer you to gynae though if there’s cause for concern. I had a smear before I knew I was pregnant with my DS and it was HPV+ve so I had to attend Colposcopy. The hospital looked at my cervix under a microscope, but they wouldn’t do any treatment because at that point I knew i was pregnant.

To add ... I had to go back to colposcopy 12 weeks after having DS, and they didn’t my repeat smear then - everything was normal and had all cleared up during pregnancy.

Ooh that’s very good to know Purringporcupine, wow what a relief for you glad to hear it all came back normal, this has made me feel much better about having to wait till after baby is born so thank you for sharing that as has really helped put my mind at ease 😊