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  | Tastic   Senior Member
 
   
 
 Joined: 01 January 1900
 Points: 3921
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Topic: swabs while pregnant Posted: 12 July 2009 at 1:04pm
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   I thought any type of swabs or smears during pregnancy was a no no?
I received a letter from my doctor that said before the ob will even see me I have to have all these tests done including vaginal swabs
 Im just worried that it could affect the baby! The only other time I had swabs done was when I was actually in labor with aidan and yeah well he arrived a few hours after
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  | lilfatty   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 22 August 2007
 Location: Waitakere
 Points: 9799
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 12 July 2009 at 1:07pm | 
 
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   I had swabs during both pgs ... they only swab the inside of the vj not far enough in to do any damage to the cervix    | 
 
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     Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months)
I did it .. 41 kgs gone!  From flab to fab in under a year  LFs weight blog | 
 
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  | Bizzy   Senior Member
 
   
 
 Joined: 01 January 1900
 Location: New Zealand
 Points: 10974
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 12 July 2009 at 1:31pm | 
 
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   yeah the swabs are just in the inside, not way up!  i had them with my first pregnancy, and i was able to just do them myself for the doc.
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  | cuppatea   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 05 February 2007
 Points: 7798
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 12 July 2009 at 2:38pm | 
 
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   I did them with my second pregnancy and the mw just gave me the swab to take home and do myself. The way she explained it so that I wouldn't worry about any damage or harm to the baby was to hold it up and say "this is a lot smaller and less enthusiastic than a penis" So yeah, if your still having sex it's a lot less invasive than that.
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  | ElfsMum   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 04 June 2007
 Location: Christchurch
 Points: 11702
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 12 July 2009 at 2:55pm | 
 
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   i had them three times with Ethan and as the others said they werent too far in..but it was similar as in your case they were trying to make sure they prevented pre term labour.. she never mentioned any risk or anything though.. and it was 24,28,32 weeks for me.. but yeah my new mw did warn me that would happen if i had to have them done this time(but she thinks prob not ) 
 it wasnt very comfortable though!
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     Mum to two amazing boys!
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  | fallen   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 24 August 2008
 Location: Oz
 Points: 796
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 12 July 2009 at 8:57pm | 
 
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   I've had two lots of swabs during this pregnancy and one with my DD.  All times they were done with the lovely duck bill speculum thingy.  They didn't cause any problems.
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  | Tastic   Senior Member
 
   
 
 Joined: 01 January 1900
 Points: 3921
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 12 July 2009 at 9:20pm | 
 
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   thanks everyone, Guess Ill go and talk to the doctor tomorrow then.
Doesnt help the fact Ive been having lots of nightmeres about this baby dieing and my husband leaving me, guess Ill just suck it up and do it
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  | mummyofprinces   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 10 February 2008
 Location: Hibiscus Coast
 Points: 8627
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 12 July 2009 at 9:20pm | 
 
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   I had one with Jake, I got given the swab and did it for my mw.
 It doesnt go near the cervix so no harm :0 I think cuppateas description says it best   | 
 
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  | ElfsMum   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 04 June 2007
 Location: Christchurch
 Points: 11702
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 13 July 2009 at 7:40am | 
 
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   tastic in the case of the ones i had (prob same for you) they have to do them ...I totally get why it's freaky..and those awful dreams suck:( big hugs! 
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     Mum to two amazing boys!
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  | HuntersMama   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 09 November 2008
 Location: Auckland
 Points: 1863
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 13 July 2009 at 2:13pm | 
 
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   I agree, it does seem scary to have smears/swabs taken especially in the early stages of pregnancy!
 My GP has also mentioned that I need a smear in the next few weeks, but I think ill wait to see the midwife next week and ask her. Im sure I am up to date with smears so waiting a few more months will hopefully be OK.
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  | ElfsMum   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 04 June 2007
 Location: Christchurch
 Points: 11702
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 13 July 2009 at 2:38pm | 
 
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   em yeah if its not necessary i would wait til after.. 
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     Mum to two amazing boys!
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  | MamaT   Senior Member
 
   
   
 Joined: 07 November 2008
 Location: Nelson
 Points: 3149
 |  Post Options  Thanks(0)  Quote  Reply  Posted: 13 July 2009 at 3:28pm | 
 
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   I had a colposcopy done when I was about 7 weeks and had no problems. Just had to make sure I told the gyno before-hand. They did pre-warn me that being pregnant can cause the cells to change due to hormones and that can have an affect on the results.   I think as long as the person doing it is aware you are pregnant you should be fine. If there was any risk to the baby then surely they wouldn't do it. | 
 
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