Pap test and low lying placenta?

[mama to 2 girls]

I have my next appt. with my m/w this coming up Tuesday and she said I am due for my pap smear, should I refuse (if they don't bring it up first) because they said on my u/s at 19 weeks 4 days that I had a low lying placenta or will the pap not affect anything?

TIA.

[gretasmommy]

Why on Earth would you get a PAP while pregnant???? Why would they even ask/try?

Okay, so I understand that you are there anyway . . but I would absolutely not do one during a pregnancy unless there were some problem. No way. I have had a few losses, and anything that makes me spot would drive me over the proverbial edge.

I'd refuse until post partum.

(sorry for the long answer to your brief question!)

[lunaliss]

Well, it's pretty standard to get a pap while pregnant, may cause spotting, does not have any effect on the pregnancy. The pap takes cells from your cervix with a soft brush, is only invasive in the sense that it is a speculum exam.

A low lying placenta does not have effects on a pap. If you've had a pap in the past year, or you've been HPV negative in the last 2 or 3 years (and are monogamous), it wouldn't be necessary.

[cristeen]

I've been told that you shouldn't get a pap during pregnancy at all because the hormonal changes to your body can cause false readings on a pap.

Personally, I'd wait for the 6 week pp visit to get one.

[mama to 2 girls]

Originally Posted by gretasmommy

Why on Earth would you get a PAP while pregnant???? Why would they even ask/try?

Okay, so I understand that you are there anyway . . but I would absolutely not do one during a pregnancy unless there were some problem. No way. I have had a few losses, and anything that makes me spot would drive me over the proverbial edge.

I'd refuse until post partum.

(sorry for the long answer to your brief question!)

Thanks for everyones responses....I live in FL and I guess it is "required"...I have called other m/w's in the area and they all said the same thing.

I am thinking of just being a pain and telling them that I dont' care what I have to do that I don't want it.

[mrs_mandolini]

You can always refuse, and I would. I had one during my last pregnancy and spotted for weeks afterward. I don't know if it was a contributor to my early delivery or not, but I CERTAINLY in my case wish I had not done it.

I also found the exam much more painful when I was pregnant than I do at other times.

[lunaliss]

Originally Posted by cristeen

I've been told that you shouldn't get a pap during pregnancy at all because the hormonal changes to your body can cause false readings on a pap.

Personally, I'd wait for the 6 week pp visit to get one.

Every once in a while, you get ASCUS but HPV is negative, so it is insignificant. Anecdotal evidence isn't good basis for practice. I wouldn't leave the house and certainly wouldn't take care of women if I shaped my practice by every single person's experience put together.

That said, noone can make you do anything. It's your body, your choice. There is no evidence base for requiring a pap in pregnancy and I would ask for a rationale if they are so insistent.