Denying pap smear?

MzAndro · March 2011

Hello,

Nest week I will be 13 weeks along and will have my 2nd doctors appointment. This will be where she will do the full physical and such. I do not feel comfortable getting a pap smear done while I am pregnant. I don't want to stress me and the baby out and also don't want the spotting and cramping. Not to mention I have heard they can cause miscarriages. Has anyone here declined getting their pap done? If so did your doctor keep seeing you? I am afraid when I tell her no thanks that she will stop seeing me.

Goldengirl16 · March 2011

I've never heard of a pap smear causing a miscarriage. It's standard practice at my clinic and probably best to have one done.

zdinakwardwedding · March 2011

I did not deny mine at 11 weeks and did not have any spotting. They are quite gentle on you when you a preggers. I don't know where you heard they cause m/c because if your Dr. thought there were any issues they would not do the Pap. I think it is really up to you but I would definately discuss your concerns with your OB. Maybe she could put your mind at ease. Good luck to you.

michellechacon · March 2011

Pap smears are totally safe during pregnancy, I had one done about two weeks ago. I just got my letter this morning, to say my pap was normal. It didn't even cause me any spotting.

It's not something to worry about, and after all isn't it better to get fully checked out??

My doc said that by the time you get to our stage of pregnancy, nothing we do or dont do would cause a miscarriage, sex, moderate exercise, pap smears, internal exams etc...

Try not to worry.

Lissa832 · March 2011

Pap smears can cause a minimal amount of spotting, but they don't cause miscarriages. IMO, you are being irresponsible by denying it. If you are uncomfortable having one at that appointment, ask to have it done at the following appointment. It is important.

smilelari · March 2011

If you are due for a pap you should get a pap. That said, it's your body and you can decline whatever you wish. If your doctor then refuses to see you, well it's probably time to move on anyways

forensicmama · March 2011

They don't cause miscarriages. That's misinformation. They don't hurt when they do them and I had a few spots of blood. Any irritation of the cervix during pregnancy can cause bleeding - sex included and sex is waaaaaaaaaaaay more rough than a Q-Tip gently wiping your cervix and vagina. I wouldn't personally deny a pap. They're preventative. If you deny it, though, they wouldn't stop seeing you.

gracie076 · March 2011

You should do it because it's important. Don't worry your doctor knows what they are doing. Good Luck!

aggielauren · March 2011

I had one with my first pregnancy because it had been a year since my last yearly exam. I had it done at 7 weeks 5 days. I didn't have any spotting and (obviously) it didn't cause a miscarriage. I never even thought about denying it and I've never heard of it causing a miscarriage.

NC112 · March 2011

I'd think odds are if you've never spotted or cramped after a pap smear before you won't when pregnant, especially this early in your pregnancy.

I got one around 8 weeks with my first son and I'll likely get another since I'm "due" for one next week. It was no different then all of the ones I have had before pregnancy.

They are only touching your cervix, not going beyond that (i.e. not in your uterus where your baby is) so I would imagine the risk of miscarriage is low.

Here's a website with more pregnancy pap smear info: https://www.americanpregnancy.org/womenshealth/papsmear.html

hopeandlove0417 · March 2011

The pap smear wont hurt you or the baby, in-fact it's necessary to make sure you and the baby are healthy. I had zero cramping and no spotting.....other then the normal uncomfortable feeling of getting one done. Also your doctors gonna likely do an pelvic examine as well...again this wont hurt the baby, but is necessary.

https://www.americanpregnancy.org/womenshealth/papsmear.html

But if your still uncomfortable it should be your choice...and if your doctor would stop seeing you..then you should find a different doctor....one who will support your decisions.

Good luck and try not to stress out!

Mrs. Alice · March 2011

I'm sorry, but do you really think your Dr. would do something that would cause a miscarriage? Come on... It's your right to decline the pap smear, but at least educate yourself with accurate information before you make that decision.

Roxyroodle · March 2011

Legally my midwife told me that they have to do them if you are due for one. Talk to your doctor but it is fine and we all have to get one for the heath of our baby.

Ms.Jade · March 2011

This whole conversation made no sense until I realized that everyone meant declining instead of denying. Denying a pap smear makes no sense and I had to laugh about it.

water-fairy · March 2011

I've never had spotting after pap smears and I don't believe that they cause miscarriages. The swab only goes in the vagina, it's not like the OB sticks it inside your uterus. Correct if I'm wrong.

cinderellabella · March 2011

Lissa832:
Pap smears can cause a minimal amount of spotting, but they don't cause miscarriages. IMO, you are being irresponsible by denying it. If you are uncomfortable having one at that appointment, ask to have it done at the following appointment. It is important.

This!

onemorethyme · March 2011

nope I'm with cinderella... i'm scared to have it done also.. I know it doesn't cause a mc but I don't want anything in there that doesn't have to be.. i'm deferring mine until i am a few months along...

HeidiP14 · March 2011

I would just get the pap if you are due for one. I've never heard they cause miscarriage. I had one at 1st appointment and they didn't get enough cells for it so they need to do it again next week when I go. Whatever I don't really care, I didn't spot the first time. They are not that bad!

ericaley98 · March 2011

are you also declining sex while PR? the PAP is less invasive.

smilelari · March 2011

Roxyroodle:
Legally my midwife told me that they have to do them if you are due for one. Talk to your doctor but it is fine and we all have to get one for the heath of our baby.

Your midwife lied to you

Unknown · March 2011

This content has been removed.

Amanda&EricB · March 2011

ericaley98:
are you also declining sex while PR? the PAP is less invasive.

This. I think the OP is misinformed. Honestly, my Pap DID hurt some, but then again they usually do for me, pregnant or not. It wasn't enough to bring tears or anything. Sure, they are uncomfortable but I think they are important.

EmilyOTR1 · March 2011

wait til your 6 week postpartum checkup. the insert for the pap kit says to not use on pregnant women.

vernab · March 2011

I didn't have any cramping or bleeding with my pap. I would have said something about at my last appointment. Like do I really need that and I heard this about it, kind of thing. I don't think she can stop seeing you b/c you refuse a pap.

vernab · March 2011

Sorry, one more thing. When I had my pap when I was pregnant with DS it came back abnormal, when my previous ones had all been normal. He looked at my cervix with a microscope and it wasn't very serious, thank God! It should have cleared up after my vaginal birth but didn't. I ended up having to have cryo done after DS was born. I'm glad they knew about the abnormal pap before had to make sure it wasn't serious and to know to check after the birth. Just a suggestion.

NDwife07 · March 2011

EmilyOTR1:
wait til your 6 week postpartum checkup. the insert for the pap kit says to not use on pregnant women.

That's crap. There are plenty of medications, for example, that have warnings stating not to use if pregnant but are commonly prescribed for pregnant women (progesterone supplements, eg.). You realize warning labels are mostly to prevent lawsuits, right?

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