A Pap smear (Papanicolaou smear) test, or a Pap test, is an important part of your routine health checkup that detects abnormal cells in your cervix. This is a laboratory test that is typically recommended to be done every 3 years. But if you are overdue for your Pap test or if it’s time for your next Pap test, then you might get a Pap smear during your pregnancy.
Pap smear during pregnancy is typically performed during your first prenatal visit. This is very common since most individuals do not visit an OB-GYN or healthcare professional and do the tests routinely.
How Safe is it to Conduct a Pap Smear During Pregnancy?
Conducting a Pap smear during pregnancy is completely safe. Conducting a Pap test during pregnancy is a regular scenario in many healthcare centers.
During the procedure, doctors are only scraping cells from your cervix using a swab or a brush. This tool doesn’t go anywhere near the baby or cause any harm to it.
The procedure will be conducted in the same way as it is done when you are not pregnant. At first, doctors insert a spatula through your vagina to open the vaginal canal. This is performed to get a clear view of your cervix and to reach it.
After this, they will collect cells from your cervix with the help of a long swab or a brush by gently scraping it on the cervical surface. It will collect a sample of cells and fluid, which will be sent to the lab for testing.
During pregnancy, the cervical area will be rich in blood vessels, most of which will be near the surface. As with any Pap test, the scraping of the highly sensitive cervical tissues can irritate the surface, leading to light pink or brown spotting or light bleeding that can last for a couple of days.
When Do You Need to Conduct a Pap Smear During Pregnancy?
A Pap smear is a necessary part of your routine healthcare. Regular visits with your gynecologist and routine Pap tests will help you reduce the risk of cervical cancer. Being pregnant doesn’t reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer. This is why, if you are due or overdue to have your Pap test, doctors conduct it mostly at your prenatal visit.
The most common reasons for a Pap smear conducted during pregnancy include:
- If you never had a Pap smear before.
- If you have been missing your routine Pap smear that needs to be done within the recommended time depending on your age group (every 3 years, if you are aged between 21 and 29; every 5 years with HPV co-testing or Pap test alone every 3 years, if you are aged between 30 and 65).
- If you are due for your Pap smear after your last one.
- If your last Pap smear results showed abnormalities and you need follow-up testing.
- If you have any individual risk factors and your doctor recommends a Pap test.
What to Do When Results Are Abnormal
Cervical cancer is very rare during pregnancy. However, the chances cannot be completely ruled out. In case any abnormalities are found in the result, the doctor is likely to perform a colposcopy, which uses a magnifying instrument and external light to have a closer and more detailed examination of the cervix.
The further procedure will be decided by the doctor based on the result of the colposcopy. Whether to wait until the baby comes out or begin the treatment will be based on multiple exams, where the doctor monitors the condition of your cervix.
Although it is very common for doctors to wait until the baby is born to start any treatment, it is highly rare to have invasive cervical cancer during pregnancy. If anomalies are found, the doctor might recommend a biopsy, and their priority will be to balance the risk to you and your baby.
Conclusion
Pap smear test is a very common test during the prenatal visit. This is a highly regarded routine preventive screening test that can help prevent cervical cancer. If you couldn’t get a Pap test within the recommended time based on your age and risk, you will get it during your prenatal visit.
Although there can be minor bleeding after the Pap test due to the irritation it causes to the cervical area, it will resolve on its own and will only last for a few hours to two days. Very light abdominal cramps can also happen due to the sensitivity of the cervical area.
In very rare cases, if the Pap test detects abnormalities in the cervix, the doctor and the healthcare team will decide how to proceed further based on further observations and analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Performing a Pap smear during pregnancy is completely normal and is safe. Only a few cells from your cervical surface will be collected during the procedure, and it is not at all harmful for your child.
Yes, a Pap smear test can be performed during any stage of your pregnancy. But it is ideal to conduct the test before 24 weeks’ gestation.
Doctors recommend a Pap test during early pregnancy if the patient has never had a Pap test before, if her next Pap test is due or overdue, or if the patient has any individualistic risk factors.
Yes. A patient has the right to refuse or postpone a medical procedure. However, it is best to discuss the matter with the doctor or the health care professional to make an informed decision.
References
- Cervical screening during pregnancy
https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/cervical-screening-during-pregnancy - Cervical screening when trying to conceive
https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/planning-a-pregnancy/are-you-ready-to-conceive/cervical-screening-when-trying-conceive - Why would you need a Pap smear during pregnancy?
https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/pap-smear-during-pregnancy#necessary-during-pregnancy
