Abnormal Pap

heatherperkins14 · April 2016

At my last check up at 8 weeks, they did a Pap smear and results came back with abnormal cells (ascus). They want to do further testing at my appointment in the morning. They said they will look at my cells with a colposcopy and based on what they see they may take a biopsy. My question is, can this wait until I give birth? I mean if they have to treat me I probably won't be able to be treated until after I give birth anyway. I just feel like if I find out that it is bad, I will stress out which is not good for the babe. Would you wait or just do it now?

zoe2711 · April 2016

Hi heatherperkins14, I hesitated to post this because I don't know if it will helpful. I went to my 8 week appointment with my midwife and she said she couldn't see when I had last had a smear test (what we call a Pap test in the UK). She referred me for one and because I was irritated that I might have missed a call up for a test - they contact women 3 yearly for testing here so I called the contact number. When I rang the helpline, I found out it had only been three years since my last one, the woman I spoke to was very surprised my midwife had referred me as they don't do smear test in pregnancy as the results of the cell analysis are unreliable.

As I say, I don't want to undermine your confidence in your medical team, but do the lab definitely know that you're pregnant? I don't know how joined up health services are in the US. I hope you get some answers very soon xx

krzyriver · April 2016

Can I ask how old you are? I've had quite a few abnormal paps results. After the first one they gave me a biopsy. I had two more abnormal results after that they weren't concerned about and then another biopsy after a fourth abnormal result. In the end, the abnormality resolved itself and they never had to do anything. I was told this is very common in young women, an abnormal pap resolving itself.

It's my understanding that abnormal paps are fairly common and typically nothing to worry about. It's also my understanding that cervical cancer, if that's what an abnormal result was indicating, is fairly slow growing. That's part of the reason why they now say you can go 2-3 years without having a pap (which I still find stupid). So there would be no need for immediate panic even if your abnormality is something more concerning.

Personally, I would wait. It's likely nothing and they can't treat you now anyway. Honestly I'm surprised they would even suggest doing a biopsy on your cervix while pregnant. I'm not a doctor, and the procedure isn't that big of a deal, but I know many women who have had adverse reactions, myself included.

I'm sorry you have to deal with this worry while pregnant!

heatherperkins14 · April 2016

I'm 30. Thank you for your response.

LGW2015 · April 2016

I would definitely discuss all of your concerns with your doctor! I don't know much on the topic but I do know that, based on my dr and what I've read, most drs do a Pap smear at your first prenatal appt if you're due for one (which is still once per year in the US for most drs), so I assume they find it beneficial to do even in pregnancy. Again, I would talk to your dr about all of your questions and concerns, that's what they're there for!

waterfall213 · April 2016

I personally would decline a colposcopy while pregnant. I had one a few years ago and it was not comfortable. That's too much digging around my cervix for my comfort level.

Piperella · April 2016

My doctor's practice in VA does the test every 3 years. I am due for one and they let me hold off doing the test until my 2nd trimester as I have had some issues during the 1st trimester, and like you mentioned, didn't want to stress out the baby or myself. I will be having it done in a few weeks. I've had an abnormal pap test before, but it's been years ago and I know they did a biopsy, but cannot remember what else they did after that point. Hoping you get some answers as to the necessity and risk of both you and the baby on any further procedures they wish to do due to the abnormal pap test.

NicholeL16 · April 2016

I was due for a PS so my midwife performed one at my 8 week appointment. My cells did come back abnormal but she said that is fairly common for the first trimester and that she would check me again in a year.

Blonde1817 · April 2016

I would definitely ask your doctor about how safe it is to wait until the pregnancy is over. But if you can put it off, I would. I had an abnormal pap a few years ago and had a colposcopy, and it was very uncomfortable. It makes you feel super crampy and you spot for a while after, which I think would be pretty terrifying during pregnancy, even if you know that's the reason. I ended up having HPV, which is shockingly common, but it healed on it's own. I took green tea extract and folic acid to help heal. Since I have only been and only will be with my husband, there's no chance of getting it again from the same person. I was truly terrified when the nurse had called with that abnormal result, I thought it was definitely cancer! But seriously, like 1/3 women get HPV. And I was even vaccinated!

HWells920 · April 2016

I personally do not have any experience with this, but my mother does. I wanted to let you know her story just in case they do tell you that you can't/shouldn't wait. My mother had cervical cancer which was detected when she was pregnant with me. They did not wait to treat her. She had a biopsy (to confirm results) and eventually had to have the end of her cervix removed-- all while pregnant with me. She said she was a complete mess because she bled for sooooo long afterwards and was sure she was going to lose the baby. Obviously, she didn't lose the baby but she did end up having to have a C-section because her history put her at additional risk when delivering naturally. I personally would not wait to have it checked out because cancer, of any form, is not something to take lightly. However, depending on your particular case (and not to say you definitely have cancer either-- please don't get me wrong! Pap smears come back abnormal all the time and they end up fine) they might be able to wait or they might not. Trust your doctor to make the correct decision for you and your pregnancy.

Want a personalized experience?

Abnormal Pap

Re: Abnormal Pap

Choose Another Board

Search Boards