Dreaded Dr appt tom :(
ehg87
Posts: 430 Member
Anyone else had to go thru a colposcopy while pregnant? I had my first ever abnormal pap prior to a miscarriage this past spring. Due to the miscarriage I wound up canceling my scheduled colpo, and never got around to rescheduling. Pregnant again, another pap (since it had been 6 months since my last) again an abnormal. The Dr has assured me that it's a low grade abnormality, and the appt is little more than a prolonged pap smear involving a microscope. Truth be told none of those reassurances are helping, I am FREAKING OUT! He's also told me that with me being pregnant all he'll do is look, no biopsy since they can cause bleeding and that's the last thing they want while I"m pregnant. He also told me I tested HPV postive,which according to him so do 75% of women. Would that be the source of the abnormality? I dunno, and I know ya'll aren't doctors, but this is just really stressful to me. The last thing I want to do is go in there and have him tell me that in another 5.5 months after the baby's born he'll need to do another colpo with a biopsy. I mean what's the point if all he can do is look?
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I had an abnormal pap a while ago (not while pregnant, sorry) and the colopscopy and biopsy. The biopsy was a little painful, but not too bad. Just had period-like cramps for a little while. Everything came back fine but I had to have paps every 3 months or so. I would bet that HPV is most definitely the cause. And it's very common in women, that 75% figure seems low, more like 85-90% of women get it. I really wouldn't worry about it, as long as the pregnancy is going well, that's all you need to think about!0
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He probably just wants to look to make sure there is nothing visibly obvious that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. As for having a colposcopy later, I have heard it is a little uncomfortable (but not horrible or anything), but by that time you will have gone through enough that the discomfort it would cause would hardly be noticeable.
Anyway, I'm sorry you're going through this :frown:0 -
Ditto what Rachel said - I had an abnormal pap years ago, colposcopy to follow, and HPV was the culprit. My very next pap was normal again and I've never had an issue from any of it. They can see areas that look abnormal and that's where they biopsy - but, if he's not going to biopsy, he probably just wants to see how many abnormal areas are visible. As for the colposcopy (if you do get a biopsy later) - my doctor used a numbing spray and it felt like a strong pinch and I had some cramping as a result later in the day. The more irritating part was the bleeding afterwards (the dye they use is lovely coming back out), but it's not a big deal.
Try your best not to worry - it sounds like your doctor is pretty confident it's HPV and he/she is taking precautions since you're pregnant.0 -
Thanks for the responses. Had my Dr's appt today. Definitely had built it up in my mind to be much more terrible than it was. It was really just a prolonged pap. Plus he did a repeat pap. He didn't see anything he was overly concerned with (didn't do a biopsy) His course of action is to do another pap at 28 weeks (if this one comes back abnormal) to see if the abnormality has progressed, if that is abnormal he'll do another at my pospartum appt. If that one come back abnormal he'll do another colpo with a biopsy this time. I personally am praying whatever it is clears on up, cause that's a WHOLE lotta pap smears!! Thanks again everyone. I'm glad it's over with for now, and feel much less stressed than I did yesterday.0
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I've been dealing with abnormal paps off and on for 7 years...it was determined I have HPV, and I have had a LEEP, biopsys, pap smears at least 3 times a year and have been to a specialist and the visual check is cake, my dr does mine on the regular. But I am off and on with normal and abnormal, its just a part of my life. But its not the worst thing. I wouldnt stress, there are multiple types and it is so common and it doesnt affect the baby at all. Everything will be fine and as a PP said some have abnormal once and then they are fine afterwards
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I am glad to hear it wasnt as bad as you thought! When I got my first abnormal and was told I had HPV I had a different doctor because mine was delivering a baby and she blew it out of proportions tio where I thought I would die, but talking to my regular OB after I was reassured. I am sure things will be fixed fast if anything is wrong, but dont stress! 0 -
I had an abnormal pap smear a few years ago, and I got an HPV positive test result. The colposcopy was uncomfortable so was the biopsy, but you should get it done if you need to. HPV can lead to cervical cancer which can be very dangerous.
My tests were normal, and eventually, my pap cleared up.
Don't be nervous! Just do what you need to do and try to keep your stress level under control. Stressing out will make it a LOT worse.
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Thanks for the responses. Had my Dr's appt today. Definitely had built it up in my mind to be much more terrible than it was. It was really just a prolonged pap. Plus he did a repeat pap. He didn't see anything he was overly concerned with (didn't do a biopsy) His course of action is to do another pap at 28 weeks (if this one comes back abnormal) to see if the abnormality has progressed, if that is abnormal he'll do another at my pospartum appt. If that one come back abnormal he'll do another colpo with a biopsy this time. I personally am praying whatever it is clears on up, cause that's a WHOLE lotta pap smears!! Thanks again everyone. I'm glad it's over with for now, and feel much less stressed than I did yesterday.
Glad to hear it wasn't bad and that it's just something he wants to keep his eye on. Not that all those pelvic exams/pap smears are fun, but all the regular checking will be reassuring!0 -
I've also had an abnormal pap, had the colposcopy and then needed a LEEP procedure since I was at CIN3. HPV was the culprit, and it got that far because I hadn't had a pap in 5 years. Yep, definitely paid for that mistake! Had paps every 3mos after that, then every 6mos and now I'm finally back to once a year. I also had to start seeing my OB every other week at 14 weeks since the LEEP increases the risk of IC. :grumble:
I'm surprised your doc is repeating the pap later in pregnancy, because its very common for women to get abnormal results while pregnant due to changes in the cervix.0 -
*hugs to everyone* you guys are great. I love having this board to bounce thoughts/concerns/questions off. Thanks to all the stories, it helps to know that it's pretty normal for an abnormal pap.0
