Abnormal Pap, anyone?

stellabella2015 · January 2017

I had the prenatal tests done a couple weeks ago, and I just got all of the results back. I was able to view the lab results and I had an extra message from my doctor that said my pap came back abnormal, and they want me to schedule a colposcopy.

I had a colposcopy in 2005, everything ended up being fine and I've had normal paps every year since then but it was the worst experience. It was painful, I fainted and I had pain/bleeding for days afterward. This is not something that I'm going to subject myself to during pregnancy, and I find it odd that they would suggest it.

I did some Googling and apparently it's pretty normal for women to get colposcopies at various stages of pregnancy. I know that I'm going to have to have a conversation with my OB, but what are your thoughts? Has anyone dealt with this during pregnancy and if so, what did you end up doing?

donehue · January 2017

I had an abnormal pap with my first pregnancy. They also checked to see if I had the risky forms of HPV with a blood test and when I didn't they said pregnancy frequently causes it and they would just retest at my 6 week pp appointment. Do you know your HPV status?

I haven't had an abnormal pap since, but am so scared of cancer I would prob volunteer for a colposcopy at the slightly scare. I would trust your gut either way! Sorry you are dealing with this

brookeelyse527 · January 2017

Mine was slightly abnormal but my OB says we will recheck post partum. He told me not to worry at all. I read online the abnormal cells can slough off during labor and delivery.

Could you ask about post poning the colposcopy?

JWatt5 · January 2017

I go to Colposocpy every 6 months. Have for years since a scare. During pregnancy, they don't always do a Pap. It'll depend on if it's your first time there or if when they do the Vinegar wash if the abnormal area has changed or shows a reason to I go in a week or so and really dont think she'll do a pap. She knows it's more aggravating during pregnancy so she'll avoid it. But the vinegar wash won't hurt anything and allows them to monitor the cells - my OB told me pregnancy (hormones) can cause the abnormal cells to grow or change so it's important to not skip the monitoring but likely everything will be just fine.

Shan870 · January 2017

When I got pregnant with my son in 2010 they did a pap in the beginning and it was normal. When I had my pap done at my 6 week post partum check after having him it was abnormal. So they had me do another six months later and it was normal again and they have been normal ever since. I'm not sure what happened with that one.

stellabella2015 · January 2017

brookedeyo said:

Mine was slightly abnormal but my OB says we will recheck post partum. He told me not to worry at all. I read online the abnormal cells can slough off during labor and delivery.

Could you ask about post poning the colposcopy?

They had wanted me to call to schedule, per the message, but I'll talk about it at my 12 week appointment. I don't want to be closed minded and pretend like I know more than my OB/GYN, because I don't, but I'm not comfortable with taking (however small) a piece of my cervix while pregnant. I'm curious about what they'll say.

I have a close friend that goes to the same practice, and I remembered that she was pressured her entire pregnancy with her first son to have the colposcopy. She stuck to her guns and waited until after the delivery, and all was well. Purely anecdotal, but I imagine I'll do the same.

flowerintherain · January 2017

@stellabella2015 I was diagnosed with CIN3 in 2014, had a laser ablation of my cervix done to remove the cells, and it returned in full force right when I found out I was pregnant with DS. They gave me the option to terminate the pregnancy (which I obviously didn't do) or be closely monitored as "high risk" the whole time. So they did a couple colposocopies during the pregnancy with the he vinegar wash. But I would NOT let them take biopsies. That's where things can get painful and complicated if you let them take pieces of your cervix while your pregnant. I would highly recommend not letting them take any biopsies unless the colpo reveals that things look life threatening for you. And the abnormal cells ended up coming off when I delivered the baby. But you'll likely be okay. Try not to stress over it too much. But also don't submit to anything that's not medically necessary and you're not comfortable with while pregnant. Good luck.

JWatt5 · January 2017

@stellabella2015 - did they give you the degree to which the cells were abnormal? The very first time the showed me on a chart, my. I would hope if slightly abnormal they would be ok with your request and skip the biopsy for you.

brekhan4 · January 2017

With my first pregnancy I had level 3 HPV which is how my dr explained. She said through pregnancy it can help heal it. I had all the shots for hpv in my teen years. When she rechecked pp I was level 1 and now HPV free. Don't stress too much. ☺

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