To smear or not to smear?

[Beccabump]

Well, that really is the question!

I am currently 18+4 and have had my letter come through for my routine 3 yearly smear test.

I am a bit confused about this as when I have had them previously I have always had to make an appt midway through my cycle - how does this work with pregnancy??

Is a smear safe to have in pregnancy?

Could there be any risk involved to the baby?

What if I wait to have it done? - I am planning on b/f again and I didn't have a period until DD was 11 months. I.e. that would mean waiting up to 16 months from now. Am I mad for risking them not picking up any problems, or mad for rambling on about it here????

Hope someone out there can help - pregnancy hormones seem to have made me v indecisive and edgy

xxx

I think you just wait until about 6 weeks/2 months after your baby is born. Im not certain though ... someone else may come along and disagree!

I've been told (after ds1) that it sholdn't be done until your lo in at least 3 months old. It didn't matter if I'd had a period or not (I hadn't - was bf too)

I decided not to have it done during pregnancy. Wasn't sure of the risk. I had mine a couple of months or so after giving birth.

I don't think it needs to be mid-cycle as such, more that they don't want to do it when you're on your period or recently finished one as it messes the results up iyswim. I might be wrong though!

I asked about this in my last pg - they said unless I had had an abnormal smear last time I should wait until pg ended

Thanks for the advice there ladies! Made me feel much better so far!

Definitely just the pg hormones making me crazy then

xxx

I had an abnormal smear last time, and a coloscopy (sp) and was still advised not to have my next smear.

It isn't usually advisable during pregnancy,although your Cervix is closed so in theory there is no risk.

The changes due to pregnancy would affect the result of a Smear for up to 6 mths after delivery,so "postnatal Smears" now no longer recommended.

So general consensus is there is no risk to wait for 6 mths after delivery,unless you have a history of abnormal smears etc.

Cervical cancer is said to take 10-15 years to grow from cell stage,so waiting 6 mths won't put you at risk,unless you were having Abnormal Smears and/or treatment before pregnancy.

glad you asked this beccabump, i've just had my letter inviting me for a smear test as well

think as well because I had a cone biopsy in my early 20's my cervix is already shorter so would be very worried about going into early labour. As sawyer says most cervial cancers are very slow growing so safe to leave till end of pregnancy.

just to add, all previous smears have been fine and no family history etc to worry about - just me being crazy

I had an abnormal smear a few years ago and have had the pleasure of more regular smear tests since then. My clinic does them up to 20 weeks in a 'normal, low-risk' pregnancy, but will also postpone before then if you would prefer. I'd check the clinic policy then go with your gut feeling.

I got the letter too - my midwife told me to ring them and tell them my due date so they would send me out nother reminder in a few month's time.