Refuse Pap?

Lacynduck · May 2015

Has anyone refused a pap at the first appointment? I had a bad experience with it last time, I started to cramp and bleed. I was thinking of waiting until I'm 12 weeks? I've been reading about it online and I guess some women have had the same experience and have even miscarried. I mean it could be a coincidence but..?

nlwz123 · May 2015

No. I personally find paps extremely uncomfortable because I have a small pelvis, but I did it yesterday. They have reasons for wanting to do them (ie, looking for disease, abnormalities, and so on). If someone miscarried from that, it sounds like a pap gone wrong, which would be pretty rare.

nlwz123 · May 2015

Also, cramping and spotting post-pap is normal. It's not going to be much better with the TV ultrasound, so you might as well just do it.

mommaSimpkin · May 2015

I absolutely hate the PAP. But I know it's for my babies own good. Besides, I had complications after delivery last pregnancy, an I want the pap this time just to make sure all is well.

They're uncomfortable, but just let the doctors know when it hurts and they usually let up a little.
the cramping and spotting will happen with a TV ultrasound. A pap. Even when they check for dialation.

ainverso · May 2015

I can't have a pap until the beginning of August or my insurance won't pay. doctor was fine with it and just did the blood work and culture at first appt. I have no risk factors really since my last pap and all paps for that matter have been fine.

Mommyduclos · May 2015

You only need a pap once every 3 year- when was your last one? I'm not due for mine until October, so I'm hoping I can hold off until my post partum follow up.

Sovvy · May 2015

I won't get one, I just had one done a few months ago. If I'm asked to do one, I'll refuse.

HH27 · May 2015

I had mine 2 days ago. I am 8w now. The midwife who did it said that the test gives false positives after 12w. I didn't get time to cross check that fact. But I suggest that you give your gyn a ring and ask them when it is best to schedule it.

debstrobel · May 2015

My Dr actually refused to do it at my first visit, she said she doesn't agree with it till you've reached the 11/12 week mark. I was actually surprised she said that.

willashbaby · May 2015

i had one in September when I had my BC removed and have never had an abnormal one so they didn't do it.

SparklesC · May 2015

I've had a million done due to abnormal pap issues. Some doctors are gentler than others. Tell them how bad you reacted last time and maybe they can be extra careful.

mom2be2016 · May 2015

I had the same experience with my first pregnancy and had a miscarriage, I'm sure it was unrelated but my dr was fine with me not doing it until after I deliver this baby. I told him I didn't want to take a chance of spotting again and panicking!

nlwz123 · May 2015

Mommyduclos said:

You only need a pap once every 3 year- when was your last one? I'm not due for mine until October, so I'm hoping I can hold off until my post partum follow up.

That's correct, but only if you are in a specific age group. I believe 30 is the cutoff.

jonesl12 · May 2015

We do paps at the first ob visit if it's been over a year . We suggest paps yearly until menopause then once patients get Medicare it's every 2 years . Every office is different

Lacynduck · May 2015

Thanks ladies. I get a pap every year. Talk about coincidence: my Drs office called me to remind me I'm due for mine next month. Went ahead and scheduled my 1st appoinment. I'll be 11 weeks by then.

DaphneMoon1 · May 2015

nlwz123 said:
No. I personally find paps extremely uncomfortable because I have a small pelvis, but I did it yesterday. They have reasons for wanting to do them (ie, looking for disease, abnormalities, and so on). If someone miscarried from that, it sounds like a pap gone wrong, which would be pretty rare.

You are wise.

If we really want to wait they can test your urine for infections and such, but a pap will not cause miscarriage.

Mamabeagle · May 2015

I had one in January so I'm inclined to say no thanks also. But if they insist, I will close my eyes and think of England. Lol.

KaraEpp16 · May 2015

They haven't asked to do a pap...I've been there twice. Is it normal for them to do a pap on a pregnant woman? Is this a regional thing? Sorry I just figured I would ask here.

TinyDancer51510 · May 2015

They did one on me but I was overdue. I had some spotting and cramping but it stopped. I had a TV ultrasound the same day so maybe it was both combined. If you're not comfortable with it, it's your right to refuse.

Lacynduck · May 2015

I thought it was the "norm" to do on your first appoinment

Skk1977 · May 2015

I'd get the pap.

nlwz123 · May 2015

KaraEpp16 said:

They haven't asked to do a pap...I've been there twice. Is it normal for them to do a pap on a pregnant woman? Is this a regional thing? Sorry I just figured I would ask here.

Yes, it is normal. Had you had one within a year and it was in their records? If so, they probably wouldn't do one.

KaraEpp16 · May 2015

nlwz123 said:

KaraEpp16 said:

They haven't asked to do a pap...I've been there twice. Is it normal for them to do a pap on a pregnant woman? Is this a regional thing? Sorry I just figured I would ask here.

Yes, it is normal. Had you had one within a year and it was in their records? If so, they probably wouldn't do one.

Yes I have had one! Yay. That would make me nervous. I would get it done to make sure everything was good...but I understand why you other gals would be anxious about it.

EmXa · May 2015

My doctor told me the pap you get at your prenatal is not to check for abnormalities, it is to test for STD's that could possibly be transmitted to your baby.

At your yearly pap test some doctors don't test for STD's unless it is requested, so that is why even if you have had one recently they might want to do it again.

I would much rather have 5 minutes of discomfort then risk giving something to my baby that could be prevented.

nlwz123 · May 2015

KaraEpp16 said:

nlwz123 said:

KaraEpp16 said:

They haven't asked to do a pap...I've been there twice. Is it normal for them to do a pap on a pregnant woman? Is this a regional thing? Sorry I just figured I would ask here.

Yes, it is normal. Had you had one within a year and it was in their records? If so, they probably wouldn't do one.

Yes I have had one! Yay. That would make me nervous. I would get it done to make sure everything was good...but I understand why you other gals would be anxious about it.

You are probably in the clear then!

EmXa said:

My doctor told me the pap you get at your prenatal is not to check for abnormalities, it is to test for STD's that could possibly be transmitted to your baby.
At your yearly pap test some doctors don't test for STD's unless it is requested, so that is why even if you have had one recently they might want to do it again.
I would much rather have 5 minutes of discomfort then risk giving something to my baby that could be prevented.

Yes, that is true, they do check for STDs, but they also do the pelvic exam right afterward which is not an STD check.

I do agree, though. Paps are uncomfortable, but LOTS of stuff they are going to be doing to you at your visits from now until delivery are going to be uncomfortable--all in the name of a healthy baby. I don't mean to sound rude or anything, but at this point you just have to set your nervous feelings aside.

jonesl12 · May 2015

Ok.. A " pap" alone is checking for abnormalities such as hpv and possible cervical cancers . It can give a positive for BV and will show yeast if present. If they add a culture to the mix it will test for certain bacteria. If they do std testing its a completely different swab and can can also be done from urine but a pap alone does not test for these things. You also have a higher chance of agitating your cervix by having sex than by getting a pap FYI because they use what we call a broom to swipe your cervix while u are pregnant vs using a spatula and what looks like a mini pipe cleaner on the end of a plastic stick.

laschub · May 2015

I don't know where everyone is from, but in Ontario (Canada) the guidelines have changed such that physicians recommend getting a PAP done every 2 to 3 years unless you have a family hx or another reason to need one every year. I doubt the same rules apply to pregnant women. Food for thought! Luckily for me my family physician is by far the most gentle PAP taker ever!

RoxanneA · May 2015

I would never refuse; they have their reasons.

Mrs.Aaron · May 2015

I've had one recently and they've always been normal, so I'm not gonna get another if I don't have to. Lol

cyncitychamp · May 2015

I think they are good I refused my first one but ended up getting one later and I'm glad I did it saved my son and I cause I was Diagnosed with cervical cancer and I will get one with this baby.you should get one every year I go every 6 months

tankgirl81 · May 2015

I live in the UK, and as it happens, I got a letter just before I found out I was pregnant asking me to come for my next pap (smear test in UK). It is done every 3 years. When I went to the docs at 5 weeks, I asked if I should still have it done and the doc said no, we don't do them until after the birth. Don't know if it's because it's dangerous, but I suppose different countries have different procedures.

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