I had a miscarriage after I had a pap smear: I started spotting brown on the Thursday 14 Feb after the pap and then it turned bright red on Tuesday the 19th and gradually got heavier until I miscarried Thursday morning and saw my little fetus along with blood clots on my pad. I am devastated. The baby was 7 weeks 5 days according to the scan done at the time of the pap smear and baby's heart was beating and all was well. I just can't help thinking the pap smear had something to do with my losing my baby. My first baby was healthy and I didn't have a pap smear until the 7th month b/c I had moved to the US from overseas while 7 months pregnant. They don't do pap smears in that country when you're pregnant. I just will never do another pap smear if I get pregnant again.
I am heartbroken as I read these threads,
I am married, been with my husband for 6 years, married for 2.5, our very first attempt, I got pregnant right away, everything was all good, I went to the doctor's office, they took some blood tests, saw that my levels were increasing, I went back to get more tests to watch the spike in my levels, and my female doctor recommended me having a Pap on a Wednesday before xmas 2012. Thursday night I started bleeding, which than turned into clots, I then thought there was no way I could still be pregnant after losing this much blood. From Fri-Sat I bleed for 24 hours, went to the emerg, they advised that I had miscarried. I fell into a depression, I could not understand why this happened, and all so sudden. All of my friends are expecting this year, I would have been due around the same time as my close friends, however I had to be the one to have this loss. The doctor told me before the Pap, "if you miscarry, it's okay, just start again", I was in shock, why would you suggest that?
I then had several conversations with my mother, describing the 3 weeks I was aware I was pregnant, and once I told her the dr did a pap, she stopped me from continuing, asking, "WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT"?? I trusted that the doctor was aware of what they were doing, however, I knew it was uncomfortable to feel that clamp scraping against my cervix. Before the dr even inserted the clamp she said "just to let you know, pap's don't cause miscarriages", as if it was some proven fact.
I am afraid to conceive now, thinking and worrying that it will happen again, how do I know what the real reason was? I'm so scared or nervous, not really sure how to describe how i'm feeling. It took weeks to get over blaming myself, which I still do now, as I don't know what the reasons are, but when I think about it, I feel as if the pap is what caused this to happen.
I do feel better that I am not alone, and feel that it should be made aware that these tests should not be done during the early stages or maybe not throughout the full 9 months?
Thanks for your touching stories, It has made me realize that maybe it wasn't my fault, but the negligence of an inexperienced doctor.
I am so sorry for your loss. I posted on this board before after losing my second pregnancy to a miscarriage (as I did with the first) both within days after pap smear. Although I only found out through ultra sound the fetus had died and had to go through d&c with both of them. Rough times. I talked to a counselor, which helped a LOT. Put me in a better place and let me actually deal with my grief. Please don't hide your emotions. Let them out and deal with them as they come. Talk to someone. Anyone. Let yourself be scared, sad, mad-all the emotions that come with. I lost both mine in 2011 (march and Nov). In February 2012 we got pregnant again. I was scared out of my mind for most of my pregnancy. But every week I felt a little better about it. And once we got to 30 weeks I even set up the nursery! In Dec we had a beautiful baby boy. Healthy as can be. So don't give up. It's difficult, it's scary, and it hurts so much to lose a baby to miscarriage. BUT I am glad I still tried, because he is my blessing. It's not your fault. It might not be anyone's fault. It happens, more often than we think. Next time, make sure you have the pap before you get pregnant, or refuse it. Good luck and keep your head up!
I have been preparing for my first prenatal appointment with an OB. My doc informed me that she will want to do a pap smear.......I get strong intuitions, or gut feeling's, and right away I thought "oh no!" I have had pap smears in the past, they have been fine, no pain or spotting. But for some reason I got this horrible feeling....so right away I turned to the internet and found this forum. I'm so sorry for the loss and pain you have all experienced.....it's hard to find information, but so far I have discovered that England doesn't recommend having smears done during pregnancy......there has to be a reason right? Women know their bodies, I'm going to refuse to have a pap. Thank-you for your stories, you have given me the strength to stand up for what I believe is right for me.
I have also had a miscarriage after a pap. I was about 10 1/2 weeks pregnant and didn't think anything of it. A few days later I started spotting & cramping. I passed the fetus on my own and went through two horrendous ER visits. I had a son w/out any paps and now I am pregnant again and being pressured to once again have a pap. I told them I am going to wait at least until I am out of my first trimester. But looking at all of the other comments, and maybe there is some truth to those of you who say some women are just more susceptible to having a miscarriage after a pap.
The same thing happened to me. About 4 years ago I was 10 weeks pregnant when I had my pap done. The next day I had a miscarriage. I am now 8 weeks pregnant and have my upcoming exam, but I plan on saying no to the pap. I had earlier this year so I know I am fine. I'm not sure if I will let them do a vaginal exam, but definitely not a pap smear!
It looks like my story w my last Pap smear , everything was great 2 days after I start spotting then went to the er they told me if there is no pain cramps it's not a problem so I went home next day I end up w a miscarriage , before that everything was normal and I said normal cause was exactly like my first son , I am very angry about this because this could be prevented and I truly believe that the Pap smear make me end up w a miscarriage !
This happened to me on July 10, 2013. I have always been told that I could not have a baby due to cystic ovaries. On July 9, 2013 I took a pregnancy test and it was positive. I took 2 more just to be sure. I was overjoyed and excited. I immediately made an appointment to the ob-gyn and got in the very next day. I went in to confirm the the pregnancy and the doctor also gave me a Pap smear. It was very uncomfortable and a little rough. That same night when I went home. I began to cramp, didn't think much of it. It started to get worst and worst I got up went to the bathroom, the fetus and sac fell out. I scooped it out of toilet and put it in a zip lock bag and made my way to the hospital. Til this day I still do not know why I lost my baby prior to finding out I was pregnant I didn't have any problems no cramping, minimal nausea. I blame the Pap smear, and nothing can change that for me. I am turning 40 and this would have been my first child. I am devastated and have talked to several lawyers, but to no avail. I pray for mine and your peace, because the road to closure is long and difficult.
People still feel they can control women's bodies and intimidate them to do what's not in our best interest.