Phexia

Over here, pregnant women never get pap smears while they're pregnant, it's not allowed. We do get routine blood tests in our first visit to the midwife and each visit we pee in a cup to test for protein and glucose in the urine (we do the test ourselves in the bathroom and just bring the stick to the midwife if it's abnormal)

I wouldn't want a pap smear early in my pregnancy, no way.

lauren-kate

Obviously, it is your decision, but I do doubt that they would do tests for no reason if the risks outweighed the possibility of finding a potentially life-threatening illness/birth defect/etc. They aren't scare tactics, they're not doing it to scare you... it's done to make sure everything is fine with you and baby. Personally, I'd rather have a 5 mins exam and know that everything is ok, or be prepared/treated when it is not. If I was offered the exam and didn't have it and something bad happened that could have been prevented, I'd feel awful. It's inevitable that you're going to have people 'poking around' at some point (quite a lot really) and you really do just get used to dropping your trousers and flashing your bits! It's not very dignified, but it has to be done. Call me brainwashed, but that's just my opinion, and obviously you're entitled to yours. x

Linzi

I wont have a go at you. Its every womans right to turn down a test like that if you dont feel comfortable with it. I turned one down when they wanted to feel my womb at 11 weeks because I was having a scan the day after, she said it would be quite painful and Id bleed, so I thought as long as Im having the scan they should pick problems up from that.

its your choice at the end of the day, if you dont want it, then dont have it.

xxx

leeanne

Yes, I hate to say this, but all modesty goes out the window when one is pregnant and/or going through child birth. A pap smear is really nothing compared to the rest!

I agree with you, I'd rather go through the 5 minute pap smear and know that everything is ok. My mom had ovarian cancer in her 20's and ended up having a hysterectomy. I had precancerous cells on my cervix quite awhile back and they can come back at any time.

Truly, better to be safe than sorry.

Margerle

I agree with the women here who believe the initial pap is for the greater good. There's a lot of things that can be detected and information gathered on that first visit, and like the others have mentioned, the HCP isn't going to do something that is going to risk your chances of delivering ESPECIALLY if they are profit motivated. Would they rather have your (the insurance company's) $200 for the pap visit - or nine months of visits and your birth!

Now with that said, I tend to have a similar opinion as the OP when it comes to BIRTHING. I DO think that is often times business motivated, rather than motivated by the wellbeing of the mother and child. As evidenced merely by the insane C-section rate here in the US.

I've heard a lot about the movie The Business of Being Born http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/ it is a documentary on birthing a baby in the US. The stats are atrocious. Many of the L&D staff had never even seen an entirely natural birth. There are a lot of places that push pitocin or other "timely" methods to get that baby out ASAP when that isn't always nature's course. And obviously the trailer suggests that docs are pusing c-sections because they are doctor friendly... regardless of mom and baby friendly.

I understand that there are some times when advancements are necessary to help things along and I am certainly not against c-sections when needed but L&D IS and natural process! I want to let my body do what is natural and right for it. I've heard nothing but good about that documentary, so if you have a chance to see it, it comes highly recommended.

honeybunch2k7

I'm not mad at you. I hate those *expletive* exams!

Samantha675

Firstly I think for your first post on this board you are being very defensive, like you are looking for someone to argue with you and tell you how very wrong you are. Well you will not find that here, this is a very open community, and I have found it to be very non judgemental.

Having said that, why even bother with a Dr. if you are so against the brainwashing of the American medical system? I opted out at the very beginning of my pregnancy, have found an amazing midwife, and was even send a certified letter by my Gyno that dumped me from her service because of my alternative choice. The only time I will set foot in a Dr's office during my pregnancy is for the one and only ultrasound scan I get through my midwife.

I think opting out of any testing is totally your own choice, and no one should judge you for it. I did have a pap at the beginning of my pregnancy, my midwife performed it, and I have to admit, it was the most gentle exam I have ever had. I have even decided that my future women's care will be in her hands. I opted out of the triple screen tests, some people would think I am nuts for that.

Oh and I am dying to see the Business of Birthing. After reading Misconceptions by Natalie Wolfe, I think it is going to be very good.

Jenny

I agree with most of the girls pro pap smear testing. Its your choice and if you don't want to then you don't have to. Freedom of choice . I just like having the piece of mind that everything is ok down there. Its once a year and it takes all of 2 mins, so I really don't see a problem. As for getting one during pregnancy, I think it should be done. Plus, you can't always avoid situations like I.E if you're bleeding, they will check you and you can't avoid it. Unless of course, you don't go in. Not to mention that when you reach the 3rd trimester and labor, they will be checking down there, depending on where you are, at least once. Its not comfy but hey, needs to be done


BTW: Welcome to BnB!! Congrats on your pregnancy!

clairebear

living in the uk i havent had one ever even before being pregnant they dont do them until ur 25 over here xxx

lauren-kate

I think you can ask to have one sooner if you like, and they sometimes recommend them to you for after the pregnancy. x