Pap Smear Anxiety

jazdiaz · December 2014

i have my first appoitment next week and my doctor said that i have to get a pap smear im so nervous because ive never had one and this is also my first pregnancy so i know nothing of what this appoitment will be like but i heard that some women bleed after their pap smear and that makes me even more nervous! Whydo i need one? Did any of you guys need pap smears and did you bleed? Is there any chances that it will harm my baby? So nervous! Words of comfort please.

elbowpasta · December 2014

I've gotten one every year since I was 16. It's never comfortable having something "up there" but it's not painful. It's necessary to have done! Don't be nervous, it's totally normal.

Stormy61 · December 2014

A pap smear is nothing to be nervous about. I saw from one of your prior posts that you are pretty young - but pap smears are suggested to be done annually after a certain age (16? 18? not sure) or after becoming sexually active. So this won't be the last one you ever have. I've never bled from a pap smear, and besides slight discomfort during, there is nothing painful about it (in my own experience).

aliciac2008 · December 2014

I didn't bleed from my Pap smear while pregnant, but my doctor said that since your cervix is more tender during pregnancy there is a chance you could bleed. She explained it as very very light spotting. Just like you can bleed from have intercourse while pregnant. I'm not a doctor though, this is just what my doctor told me.

Try not to worry about it. It can be a little uncomfortable, but you'll feel totally normal when you're done. At least that's how all of mine have gone.

Kresla · December 2014

They are uncomfortable but they don't hurt at all. For me, the worst part is how cold the metal can be. I have bled before but that was because the doctor used a different type of tool to do the pap spear but it was only light spotting. Just breath and all will be okay. The doctor will walk you through it. Again, breath.

MJMum524 · December 2014

It'll be fine and you'll do great! Good luck

honeybunches101 · December 2014

I have had a pap smear every year since I was in college I guess, and had one at the beginning of both pregnancies. It's a very important screening tool for cervical cancer. I can't imagine that there is any risk to the baby at all. Because of extra blood flow during pregnancy, it may be more uncomfortable than usual, but it only takes a few seconds and shouldn't really be painful.

Frogger5 · December 2014

You've never had one ever? Yikes, have you ever been to a gynecologist or had an internal pelvic exam? The pap smear's not a big deal, although not super pleasant. I guess if you bleed it's not a big deal either - it'll stop, and you'll know the reason. They just scrape some cervical cells to test, not anything too dramatic. Obviously your doc thinks the benefits outweigh any potential risks, but certainly ask him or her to explain it all to you. Good luck! Pro tip: stay relaxed, it'll go more smoothly.

MrsCaliRN · December 2014

I'll be honest: It's uncomfortable. The OB is going to insert a cold, metal speculum into your vagina, and the whole thing is awkwardly invasive. If your practitioner is good, he or she will make it quick. The worse part, in my opinion, is that feeling of a dry q-tip rubbing you in an area that isn't usually tampered with. The last one I had was when I was 9 weeks pregnant and the MW said I was bleeding a little bit and should expect some mild spotting, due to the cervix being a lot more vascularized during pregnancy, but I wore a pantyliner the whole day afterwards, and not a drop.

Pap smears are a small price of a couple moments of discomfort every 3 years (assuming this one is normal and your OB doesn't feel anything has placed you at risk for needing another one sooner) for the peace of mind in knowing that your gynecological health is in good shape.

elbowpasta · December 2014

Kresla said:
They are uncomfortable but they don't hurt at all. For me, the worst part is how cold the metal can be. I have bled before but that was because the doctor used a different type of tool to do the pap spear but it was only light spotting. Just breath and all will be okay. The doctor will walk you through it. Again, breath.

Aw, dude, your doc doesn't heat the speculum? That is weaksauce!

Stormy61 · December 2014

pickles26 said:

Paps are also now recommended no earlier than age 21 and there is no reason to do a pap so girls can get on birth control

Oops, I probably gave some bad info then. I have been getting them annually since I was 18, and I heard they changed the recommendation to every 3 years, but I have had an abnormal one before, so I feel comfortable going every year still.

Kresla · December 2014

@elbowpasta‌ My new doctor always does and he is also my OB. But in the past I have had some ice cold speculums.

elbowpasta · December 2014

dzashley said:

pickles26 said:

Paps are also now recommended no earlier than age 21 and there is no reason to do a pap so girls can get on birth control

Oops, I probably gave some bad info then. I have been getting them annually since I was 18, and I heard they changed the recommendation to every 3 years, but I have had an abnormal one before, so I feel comfortable going every year still.
***Quote fail?***
Same, I have a family history of cervical issues at a young age so I started sooner than I'm sure most do. They changed the low-risk recommendation to every 3 years? That's pretty cool.

Frogger5 · December 2014

Wow, lots of responses between when I started typing and hit post! Mobile bumping = slow bumping. Well, good posts, all! OP, you'll do great, welcome to womanhood!

eshap90 · December 2014

I had my first just the other day. I did spot a little bit throughout the day afterwards but nothing unbearable. And it was my first time meeting my doctor. I psyched myself out thinking it would be super awkward and uncomfortable meeting someone new totally naked but as soon as my doctor got to the room she made me feel comfortable. She talked me through everything. It wasn't anything I would love to do again but it's probably best that I get ready for my business to be invaded and touched in ways I don't want to be touched haha. Also, it was nice knowing my cultures we're negative and I'm STI free haha

veggiemo · December 2014

jazdiaz said:
i have my first appoitment next week and my doctor said that i have to get a pap smear im so nervous because ive never had one and this is also my first pregnancy so i know nothing of what this appoitment will be like but i heard that some women bleed after their pap smear and that makes me even more nervous! Whydo i need one? Did any of you guys need pap smears and did you bleed? Is there any chances that it will harm my baby? So nervous! Words of comfort please.

Don't be nervous about bleeding. Even if you do bleed, it's just a tiny bit, maybe only when you wipe. You'll be fine, just take a deep breath and it's over before you know it. Honestly, I would rather have a pap than go to the dentist. I know, that's a weird, kind of gross comparison but I'm just trying to say that it's not that bad.

Bednarova · December 2014

I had one at my first appt when pregnant with DS, and did not with this pregnancy, only bc my annual exam was in the prior 6mo, and they didnt see the point of a redo.

there will be some mild discomfort, but compared to labor, it's easy peasy.

Schnurette · December 2014

I missed my last pap - I was supposed to go in for one and then ended up getting knocked up before it was done. I'm not getting one now.

I do bleed when I get them done. I've had different experiences. The first one I literally didn't feel anything. The last couple I could feel her scraping around in there. No sugar coating, it hurt but it was super quick. That said she mentioned that my cervix is waaaaaay back and that made it hard for her to do what she needed to do, and hard for her to do it without hurting me a bit.

tiffbot1985 · December 2014

I had one at 8 weeks pregnant last pregnancy and at my 6 week post partum check up (plus regular ones before that) so my dr didn't feel the need to do one this time around. I've never bled after one, so I have no advice there, but if you do at least you know it's just from a bit of irritation. It's a little uncomfortable but doesn't take long!

IsadoraB · December 2014

I've been getting them since I was 16 and am 33 now. (Holy shit I just realized that was 17 years ago I feel old!) They are more awkward than anything. Good doctors will talk you through it, use a warmed speculum, and plenty of lube. And most importantly make it quick! Make sure the Doc is aware this is your first time! As long as your results come back good you will only need one every 3 years. (Yay for the new recommendations!)

finchfeeder80 · December 2014

I'm fairly positive my doc uses a plastic speculum. You would think I would know this, I had my annual right before I got KU. She uses plenty of lube as well. She's in, she's out and it's over. I find the physical exam part where she's squishing all my innards around more uncomfortable than the specimen collection for the pap.

ETA: The whole point of mentioning the plastic spec is that it's not as cold as metal.

blu-eyedwife · December 2014

ilovelucyv said:

Honestly I don't like getting paps, but it is best not to think about it at all until immediately before it happens. Why get yourself so worked up when the procedure will last less than a minute?

Yup. I find them uncomfortable and pinchy but they're over quickly so it's not a big deal.

I was due for mine this year so I got it done at my first appointment. No bleeding or spotting afterwards.

elbowpasta · December 2014

finchfeeder80 said:

I'm fairly positive my doc uses a plastic speculum. You would think I would know this, I had my annual right before I got KU. She uses plenty of lube as well. She's in, she's out and it's over. I find the physical exam part where she's squishing all my innards around more uncomfortable than the specimen collection for the pap.

ETA: The whole point of mentioning the plastic spec is that it's not as cold as metal.

My doc has been in the family a loooooong time... and the most uncomfortable part of the exam is when he's all up in my stuff, asking about how my dad is doing. Or giving me the breast exam and is asking how my brother is liking college.

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