Can you have a smear while pregnant?

[Lunamoon4]

My midwife asked if I’d had a smear yet in my booking in appointment, I said no but it was on my list of things to book ASAP and she said I’d have to wait til after I’d given birth as I couldn’t have one while im pregnant. I have never had a smear before this would be my first (I am slightly overdue as I’m 26)

I’ve just had a call from my GP to book me in for a smear, I booked in as I was taken by surprise as I thought they were gonna call me about my recent UTI and I needed to get back to work, shall I call again tomorrow to cancel? Or am I able to have the smear while pregnant?

I would probably wait until after the birth - normally at least 12 weeks after

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

No wait until after you've had your baby. Mine was due while pregnant and postponed until after birth, ended up being about 12 weeks postpartum and wouldn't have wanted it any sooner.

I was told no.

No, remind the receptionist/GP that you’re overdue when you have your 6 week pp check up & they’ll arrange for your invite to be re-sent.

No but please make sure you get it done afterwards, they really do save lives.

No, I was due mine during the time I fell pregnant. I was told to wait 3 months after pregnancy to have it done.

The midwife said not to, so no. The gp list probs was a separate thing.

As above- no, but DO go as soon as you’re healed.

I went 8 weeks pp because I was due during my pregnancy, and they found abnormal cells, which over 12 months became CIN2 and needed LLETZ treatment.

I could easily have “put off” or forgotten a smear for a year or more with a baby in the mix. So glad I didn’t.

No, you cannot have a smear whilst pregnant.
You have to be 12 weeks post partum before you can have it done. If you go sooner than that the lab will reject your sample

I think you can have one if there if there is an urgent need for one due to severe symptoms etc and the benefits outweighs the risk but I would be too scared to get it done during pregnancy if not necessary.

Hi,
I’m a practice Nurse and I would never do a smear on a pregnant lady, we’re taught not to at every smear update I do. As others have said the guidance is to wait until at least 3 months after delivery, this just gives your cervix and the cells time to return to normal.
If however you’re concerned because you have symptoms etc, please visit your GP who can refer you to colposcopy or gynaecology if it’s indicated.

I had to wait 3 calendar months after giving birth

You will need to cancel it; either the GP will realise or when you get to the appointment they won't do it (or if they do, the lab will refuse the sample). The reason is because your cervix changes during pregnancy so they can't detect if anything is abnormal or not, so better to do it when you're not pregnant. The GP probably just had a list of people to chase up for a smear and the receptionist was working through it. Poor things are so overworked there's no time to check all of our notes all the time.