Abnormal smear, hpv and I’m 12 weeks pregnant

[BCxx]

I went for a smear before I was pregnant and when the results took a while to come back I kind of knew that couldn’t be good. I got the letter in today and sure enough I was positive for hpv, have abnormal cells and have to wait on a colposcopy appointment letter within the next 8 weeks. No further details about the cells. From what I can find online the ‘looking through binoculars’ part of the colposcopy is fine in pregnancy as they aren’t doing anything, just looking. I have so many questions now.. if cells are precancerous I’m guessing they’d just keep an eye on them and deal with it when the baby is born in 6 months? What if I need a biopsy, can you have that pregnant? Just going to worry now until I get this letter 😩

I found out when I was 9 weeks pregnant that my smear come back abnormal and I was positive for HPV. I went to my appointment but I wouldn't let them near me until I was past the 20 week mark. I went when I was 26 weeks pregnant and she only had a look. They told me they will wait until baby is here before they do anything further. She did swab me but didn't take a biopsy. As far as I know they don't do that when your pregnant they only look! Hope that helps!

@Firsttimemamma30 thanks for the reassurance. Did you end up needing anything done after? Do you need more regular smears or checks now? It does seem quite a lot of people get the letter so I’m trying to take it as not awful news 🙈 but obviously isn’t ideal! I’m going to speak to my midwife and see if the fact I’m pregnant changes anything. I would still like them to have a look though as I’m now worrying about it but like you, not that keen on them coming near me in case anything happens. I will probably be 20 weeks by the time the 8 week letter arrives and a further wait for the actual appointment

My friend had the same when in early pregnancy. She had to wait until after the baby was born before any treatment.

I had the abnormal cells. Had a biopsy and a LLETZ treatment where they burn off the affected cells. I had 2 years of 6 month check ups and now gone back to normal checks. The only thing I’ve found is I need extra scans during pregnancy as there’s a risk that the cervix will be too thin. In which case they put a stitch in it. But luckily I didn’t need one.

I had results that were abnormal cells and HPV back at the end of 2020 and had to have a colposcope. Everything looked fine so I just had to go back for another smear a year later. When those results came back they were normal and no longer positive for HPV. HPV usually clears up on its own. Quite a few of my friends have had the same thing. I’m now back in tears every 3 years.

don’t panic yet. I was so upset when I got the letter but the majority of the time everything is fine.

@Twoinapod oh okay thank you. Do you know if she went for the colposcopy part where they just look in while pregnant or did they just say she was to wait until after for even that part? I obviously want to know what’s caused the abnormal result but I’m also a bit nervous to risk anything during pregnancy. I’m going to phone my midwife on Monday. That sounds quite a worry about the cervix situation for a future pregnancy too. This is my second and we might be done after this but would possibly like a third. Just need to hope I don’t need any treatment and it’s all fine 🙈 just terrible timing

@allgoodthings84 aw thank you, this was what I was hoping the case was but didn’t know how often it was! Did they just have a look at the colposcopy or do most people need a biopsy? I had a section for my previous birth as I’m absolutely petrified of pain, especially that sort of pain! I’ve read loads online about how awful the biopsy and treatment is but I think in some countries they don’t give any pain relief whereas here they seem to inject a local anaesthetic

@BCxx I think the majority of the time a biopsy isn’t needed. One of my friends has had a biopsy but it wasn’t from smear results she had a lot of issues and they do use an anaesthetic. For me and my friends who have been from abnormal smear results it’s all just been a look. Of course there’s cases where a biopsy or lletz treatment is needed but the majority of the time it’s fine

@allgoodthings84 okay, that’s great news. Really hoping it could be something that’s just caused the result to be abnormal and it did say there were quite a few things that could have done, especially since I’ve had a baby since my last one

@BCxx she found out she was pregnant the morning of the colposcopy, she went to her appointment and they said they won’t do anything if you’re pregnant and sent her home. I think she had to wait until 6 months after he was born

@Twoinapod itl probably be the same here then, will ask the midwife tomorrow then I can phone the number when I get an appointment through. It’s annoying if it could be nothing and il now just worry til after baby is born if I can’t be seen til then

How did you get on op

@Bex4567 hi I’m still pregnant, have been having check ups during my pregnancy every 3 months. Whatever’s there hasn’t got any worse but at my colposcopy she was able to see the bit that would need treated. I’ve to go back 12 weeks after baby is born to have it checked again (and probably treated). They haven’t done biopsy’s or anything, just put the vinegar stuff on and had a look each time

Argh ok thanks hope everythings ok for you