Cervical cancer scare and pregnant

[Frenchie26]

From weeks 8-16 of my pregnancy, I have had light bleeding/ spotting on and off, the scans were fine, the doctors said it’s just one of those pregnancy things. I’m now 21 weeks and it started again so I went to the maternity assessment centre, baby is fine but the doctor looked at my cervix, took swabs and has done an emergency referral to colposcopy as she thinks there’s abnormal cells. I know there is nothing I can do about it right now but wait. Has anyone else experienced this?

It doesn’t help that I googled and it said cervical cancer normally has no symptoms, bleeding is more advanced so obviously I’m already thinking the worst 😩

I haven't got much advice however, pregnancy can make abnormal cells show up which is why they don't tend to do smears ect during pregnancy.
I know it doesn't reassure you but ❤️❤️

When was your last smear test?

It was nearly 3 years ago, so I am due to get my next one at my check after I've had baby. My last one was absolutely fine but I'm assuming that's a long time ago in terms of smear test.

Had this with ds1. He is now 30 so was in the era when a smear was part of the early pregnancy checks. The smear showed up CIN III cells. I was called by my doctor to go to hospital for further investiga
tion, ie. colposcopy. The surgeon gave me a diagram of the abnormal cells and I was told I would have to go back after my baby was born for another smear. That smear showed no abnormal cells weirdly, so I just had to have yearly smears for the next three years. Fifteen years later another smear showed the cells had returned, they were treated, then yearly smears for three years. All good since.

Hopefully it is not cancer as i heard they take years to develop, and if your smear was clear then that's already a positive.
I had colposcopy at 16 weeks as i had one with a biopsy before becoming pregnant that wasn't great. I have abnormal cells but nothing will be done in pregnancy. They told me they would only start treatment and or terminate pregnancy if a cancer was present and advanced. But most treatments will be done after birth.
I have a repeat smear 3 month after birth.
Fingers crossed you will be ok x
When is your colposcopy?

Thank you, I will get a letter through with the date this week so I am hoping it's not too far away. It's a vulnerable feeling. Have you had your baby?

No not yet... 39 weeks on saturday so waiting!

I literally am in this position right now so I know how you feel!
I'm 17+5 and had a bleed yesterday so went to the day accessment centre. Baby absolutely fine. Done an internal and said I had a polyp on my cervix that had caused the bleed. Doctor left the room then come back in and said I want you to have a colposcopy.. quick turnaround as they rung me straight away and I have it tomorrow morning!
I am worried but at the same time there's nothing I can do. Also had last smear 2-3 years ago and was clear!
Will keep you updated

@SunnySideUp2020

No not yet... 39 weeks on saturday so waiting!

So soon! Good luck, sending positive thoughts x

@ame88

I literally am in this position right now so I know how you feel! I'm 17+5 and had a bleed yesterday so went to the day accessment centre. Baby absolutely fine. Done an internal and said I had a polyp on my cervix that had caused the bleed. Doctor left the room then come back in and said I want you to have a colposcopy.. quick turnaround as they rung me straight away and I have it tomorrow morning! I am worried but at the same time there's nothing I can do. Also had last smear 2-3 years ago and was clear! Will keep you updated

It's scary isn't it, we have to be grateful that at least if it is anything they've found it and get it sorted and not left. Please let me know how you get on. Good luck x

Had the procedure yesterday and it was a really good experience!
I think what I had is slightly different to a normal colposcopy as they can't do everything when you're pregnant.
He removed the polyp and has sent it off to be tested but he seemed pretty positive and said everything looked fine!

@ame88

Had the procedure yesterday and it was a really good experience! I think what I had is slightly different to a normal colposcopy as they can't do everything when you're pregnant. He removed the polyp and has sent it off to be tested but he seemed pretty positive and said everything looked fine!

So pleased it looks positive. Mines on the 7th, fingers crossed everything looks ok.

@Frenchie26

From weeks 8-16 of my pregnancy, I have had light bleeding/ spotting on and off, the scans were fine, the doctors said it’s just one of those pregnancy things. I’m now 21 weeks and it started again so I went to the maternity assessment centre, baby is fine but the doctor looked at my cervix, took swabs and has done an emergency referral to colposcopy as she thinks there’s abnormal cells. I know there is nothing I can do about it right now but wait. Has anyone else experienced this?

It doesn’t help that I googled and it said cervical cancer normally has no symptoms, bleeding is more advanced so obviously I’m already thinking the worst 😩

Let us know how it goes! I haven't heard anything yet - he said it would be via letter so will let you know!

Thank you, I went and she said it looks like a normal pregnant cervix. I have a layer of cells outside my cervix which she thinks is weak and the cause of the bleeding. I have to go back for a check in 8 weeks and probably again 3 months after birth but I'm feeling much better. Hopefully we'll both be fine!

Good news @Frenchie26 !
Good luck with the rest of the pregnancy

@Frenchie26

Thank you, I went and she said it looks like a normal pregnant cervix. I have a layer of cells outside my cervix which she thinks is weak and the cause of the bleeding. I have to go back for a check in 8 weeks and probably again 3 months after birth but I'm feeling much better. Hopefully we'll both be fine!

That's great news!