I'm so pissed I got a pap...grrr

tinyhumantoe · March 2012

My first appointment was yesterday. They did a pap and now I am cramping really, really bad with some spotting. Is this normal? Why the heck did they do a pap? I was due for my annual but maybe they could have waited until my next appointment when I'm further along? I have never had an abnormal pap! The nurse even said that they switch to paps every 2-3 years at a certain age if you've never had an abnormal pap. Grrrrrrr

EDIT: Update.... I no longer think my cramping & bleeding are related to the pap (it has become much more than spotting now). I think I have another issue. I'm heading to the doctor now Thank you for the responses.

ScarsnStarsX · March 2012

I had one at my first ob visit, all of my friends have had that and everyone i've seen that has posted about their first appt has mentioned it. It is standard. Good luck!

Shelby14 · March 2012

My midwife didn't do one since I had a normal one a year ago (and have always had normal results). She said she preferred to wait until after pregnancy in cases like mine.

Mrs.S-S · March 2012

I've got one scheduled for Friday. It's standard. They need to make sure everything is ok in there and you have no infections, etc. It's pretty important in my opinion. You will be fine.

tinyhumantoe · March 2012

I'm just extremely frustrated because the cramping is pretty painful right now. I have three pregnant friends and none of them had paps. It's good to hear that it's pretty standard.

HAFranklin · March 2012

Every woman I know has gotten a pap at their first prenatal check up. Sorry you're not feeling well. I am sure everything is ok.

HAFranklin · March 2012

Forgot to mention... I had a routine pap about 4 months ago, before I was pg, and I had cramping for a few hours afterward.

jillface · March 2012

I had one on my first appt. It was no bueno! It hurt really bad I almost cried, and I did have spotting that day. I'm really glad my doctor told me that there would be spotting, otherwise I would've worried. I think it's pretty standard, and baby is fine and I'm fine, but in that moment it was painful.

karkissy09 · March 2012

I was warned after my pap at my first appointment that there may be some spotting because the cervix is already going through so many changes and sometimes the instruments can cause bleeding on it. However, it's just a superficial wound and won't affect the baby at all.

Ramirezfam11 · March 2012

I had a pap with my first visit to the OB this year, he told me there would be some bleeding & I cramped some. But the next evening I was good as new. Drink lots of water & if the bleeding gets really bad then call your dr. But it's normal to spot after a pap.

Best Wishes!!

EGMphoto · March 2012

I had one and spotted light brown for 2 days afterwards. Not fun, but it should be fine!

nealbl · March 2012

that is pretty standard at a first appt. Some women request no pap because it can cause you to spot, which is very unerving to see spotting. However, a pap doesn't actually hurt anything.

ADub09 · March 2012

I had a normal pap 2 months before my first OB appt. so I didn't need one, however, I think it is normal to feel crampy and have some spotting, there is a lot going on in there. Put your feet up have a nice cup of tea and relax for the rest of the day.

campost06 · March 2012

paps are pretty standard at your first prenatal appointment and the spotting and cramps are normal afterwards so dont worry im sure everything will be fine. GL and congrats!

526SadieSadie · March 2012

tinyhumantoe:

I'm just extremely frustrated because the cramping is pretty painful right now. I have three pregnant friends and none of them had paps. It's good to hear that it's pretty standard.

It is pretty standard, maybe your friends had their yearly paps within the last year and weren't due for one when they got pregnant.

The cramping and spotting are 100% normal.

tusshie2004 · March 2012

I had a pap when I was pregnant with DS. I had pretty bad cramping and light spotting. The only time you have to worry is if the blood is bright red and there is a lot of it. If it is brownish, don't stress. I spotted the first 6 months that I was pregnant with my first one.

EricaA88 · March 2012

I had a pap done at 10 weeks. She warned me that I may have cramping or light bleeding but I was completely fine. I'm sorry that your having symptoms from it. I wasn't happy about having to get one done either.

Kadyra · March 2012

Per ACOG guidelines, a pap smear is required as part of the initial prenatal workup. Your provider should be doing it, period the end. If they are not, it is malpractice. It is, however, appropriate to defer it if you've had your pap within the last year as long as it is done during your pregnancy at the appropriate time.

The reason a pap is done is because for most women of childbearing age, they are young, have few to no health issues, and so don't see a provider to get their routine pap. Also, because the immune system is compromised during pregnancy to a certain extent, it can reactivate HPV is you've been previously infected. The pap and HPV DNA test don't detect 100% of this, so even if you've had all normal paps before, one in pregnancy could be different.

Your cervix is very vascular in the first trimester (called Chadwick's sign) and a pap will oftentimes cause some spotting. Some people will also experience cramping.

tinyhumantoe · March 2012

Thank you for all the answers. I think my doc should have told me to expect the cramping and spotting. Unfortunately, I just soaked through my panty liner and jeans at work. I guess this could be an unrelated issue. I'm heading to the doctor now.

Good luck everyone.

IAM3Bs · March 2012

It's ok- it's normal. My OB said that when you are pregnant your blood vessles in your cervix/vagina etc get closer to the surface and are prone to bleeding and easier irritation during a PAP or even sex. The spotting should go away very shortly. The doctor was able to see a few spots that looked like they may bleed with me when he did mine and they put some kind of ointment on it before they took out the speculum.

doggylovr · March 2012

good luck!! my dr like most others does them for everyone at 12 weeks!

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