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July 2016 Moms
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What's your opinion on cervical exams?

MommaDuckettMommaDuckett member
in July 2016 Moms
My sister freaked me out because, with her 1st pregnancy she got a cervical exam at her 1st appointment...along with a blood and urine test. She said that that night she was cramping like crazy and when she call the doc, they said that was normal after an exam. Then she lost the baby. She says it had everything to do with that exam. Is it ok to say no to having one done?
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Re: What's your opinion on cervical exams?

  • PankersPankers member
    My dr said no pap when pregnant due to a small risk of miscarriage. I had a pap last week not knowing I was pregnant. She said that as a week has past I should be ok. Bearing in mind I went in with spotting. This is in the UK. With my first (the the U.S.) I didn't have any cervical checks.


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  • born2run911born2run911 member
    I had my regular pap done within the last year, and don't plan on having any cervical checks until necessary late in my pregnancy aka week 37-40.
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  • LinzerBinzerLinzerBinzer member
    I had my regular a week befor my BFP so I'm going to decline the one they're going to try to give me next week. I love convos with docs where I'm declining care... :neutral:
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  • acadia07acadia07 member
    I've never even heard of a cervical exam early in pregnancy. Why? What's the point? In four pregnancies, one being a loss, no doctor has ever suggested early cervical checks.

    I'm generally anti-cervix check late in pregnancy, also. I decline them until 38w; I only allowed one at that point last time because I was having a shit ton of prelabor. There's nothing a cervical check could tell me that I really need to know, though. It's more a curiosity thing late in the game! And even then, dilation doesn't necessarily mean anything. Meh.
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  • RachelT1234RachelT1234 member
    I would hesitate to consider "opinions" that you're seeking on a public forum and ask your doctor. If you still aren't comfortable, I'd get a second opinion but, again, from a doctor. The risk is NOT having a PAP done and having something that could affect your pregnancy and/or the baby.
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  • acadia07acadia07 member
    edited November 2015
    I'd love for someone to explain what exactly early cervical checks are checking for. A pap I understand. My OBs don't do paps in early pregnancy. I get them annually and I'm comfortable with that.
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  • juliagulia38juliagulia38 member
    With my other two kids I did have one at my first appointment. They checked for STD's and something else. With this one I haven't had one yet. I don't believe I'll get one until much later. I also haven't had a pap in about 2 years and told the doc that.. She didn't seem concerned.
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  • nopegoatnopegoat member
    Unless you are due for your yearly pap there should be no early checks.

    Cervix checks towards the end are optional. I have super quick labors and tend to dilate a ton before I actually have real contractions so I feel much more comfortable getting checks to know what kind of progress I have.

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  • katiebarttonkatiebartton member
    I have cervix checks early on because I'm at risk for an incompetent cervix from multiple d&cs.

    I don't see why they would be doing one on you without any risk factors but you can decline or ask them at least why they want to, it's not the norm
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  • thebigoaktreethebigoaktree member
    My new doctors haven't even asked me if I want one. Is that odd?

    Me: 30, DH: 31

    Married: May 16th 2015



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  • carcrashheartcarcrashheart member
    They're just making sure the cervix is closed. While unfortunate, it was sheer coincidence of timing.
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  • stillcozystillcozy member
    @thebigoaktree I think every Dr's procedure is different such as when they do an ultrasound. Maybe if you a recent pap they did not feel the need to do a cervical check ?
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  • acadia07acadia07 member
    katiebartton said:

    I have cervix checks early on because I'm at risk for an incompetent cervix from multiple d&cs.

    I don't see why they would be doing one on you without any risk factors but you can decline or ask them at least why they want to, it's not the norm

    That makes sense. I had surgery on my cervix many years ago and I do recall my OB during my first pregnancy saying she would check my cervix via ultrasound at my 8w appt. I never had an internal, though. But I can see why they would check.
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  • thebigoaktreethebigoaktree member
    Lindsayleigh1989 said:

    @thebigoaktree I think every Dr's procedure is different such as when they do an ultrasound. Maybe if you a recent pap they did not feel the need to do a cervical check ?

    I would def be in the same mind set if my last one wasn't 3 years ago and that my info would be that out of date.

    Me: 30, DH: 31

    Married: May 16th 2015



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  • trucksntutustrucksntutus member
    This is my first and at my first appt I wasn't even asked or offered one.
    Image result for jackson april gif baby
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  • stillcozystillcozy member
    Whoa you said that? Everyone handles the stress of trying and of having loss differently that doesn't give you a free pass to gloat in a mean way!
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  • stillcozystillcozy member
    thebigoaktree said:

    I read through the thread in question...I think she did a dirty delete too. image

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  • kem711kem711 member

    Wow...



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  • sboston06sboston06 member
    Uncalled for.
    Me (32) & DH (35)
    Married 10.10.10
    DD born 7.25.16 <3
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  • thebigoaktreethebigoaktree member
    Lindsayleigh1989 said:

    thebigoaktree said:

    I read through the thread in question...I think she did a dirty delete too. image

    What's a dirty delete?
    Deleting things you've posted. There's an edit button but you're not supposed to delete your posts.

    Me: 30, DH: 31

    Married: May 16th 2015



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  • WVUPetuniaWVUPetunia member
    edited November 2015
    image
    Me: 32 DH: 32
    Married: 05/31/2008
    DS: 11/06/2012 at 38w 1d
    M/C: 06/11/2015
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  • tennisbabymamatennisbabymama member
    DISGUSTING. Seriously. How dare she.
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  • Y0urm0mY0urm0m member
    edited November 2015
    ** Removed for TOU violation ** 
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  • dolewhipperdolewhipper member
    I really hate to say this, but 
    image


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  • stillcozystillcozy member
    PugsandKisses said:

    I will say this. If there is a FB group, I REFUSE to be in it if she is invited. If she can say such hateful things to people she does not know, I do not want her to have access to my name and more private information.

    I have to agree I was excited for a Facebook group come second to third tri but was really nervous when I've seen some people so scary true colors. It's important to feel safe!
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  • Puddles03Puddles03 member
    Wow, not impressed OP!

    I think Facebook groups should be made after/nearing June/July. By then I hope we can weed out the catfish and crazy ones.
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  • DobbysSockDobbysSock member
    edited November 2015
    FYI pap tests can be done safely during pregnancy, and should be done if you are due as it is the ONLY way to catch cervical cancer early when treatment is easier, higher success rates and less invasive. They usually also test for STIs (even if you have only been with your partner and are confident in the monogamy of your relationship this test is standard for every woman as STIs can cause a lot of harm to your baby during birth if they are undiagnosed). However, you can test for the STIs they are looking for via a urine test (my doctor told me we can do the test this way since I had a pap test several months ago). 

    If you doctor knows you are pregnant, they will use a different tool. The little brush-like tool is what carries a VERY SMALL risk during pregnancy, while the wooden spatula-like tool is safe to use. This is what I was told by the doctors when I worked as a nurse in a medical clinic and assisted with procedures, this is "best practice" and accepted in the medical community - at least in Canada. If they were unsafe during pregnancy, doctors would not perform them, and the fact that it is a standard early visit procedure indicates that the medical community at large agrees that it is not a risk.

    I'm so sorry for your sisters loss, although I think it was likely an unfortunate coincidence, not caused by the exam.

    All that said, you absolutely can refuse any medical intervention you choose, it's your body and you have the right to say no; but there are important reasons for these exams that can be crucial to your and your babies health, so make sure you do extensive and credible research and talk with your doctor before refusing recommended prenatal care


    ETA: I assumed OP meant a pap test and just worded it wrong when she said cervical check, but as I read comments maybe I was wrong. I never had any early cervical checks and actually never had any at all until 40 weeks when nothing was happening.

    Also, after reading the comments made on TTGP I kind of regret putting that much effort into my answer. Not cool, OP.
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