If you are up to date with your screening when you become pregnant, you wont normally need to have a screening test until after your baby is born, even if you are due to have a test during your pregnancy. If you are pregnant when you are invited for your routine cervical screening test, tell your GP or clinic so that the test can be postponed until after your baby is born.
If you become pregnant and you are not up to date with your routine cervical screening (you have not had a screening test in the previous three or five years, depending on your age), you may be asked to have a screening test at your first antenatal appointment. The screening test will not interfere with your pregnancy.
If the results of your test come back abnormal, you will be advised to have a colposcopy (a visual examination of the cervix and vagina using a lighted magnifying instrument known as a colposcope). This simple examination is perfectly safe to have during pregnancy, and allows the doctor to see if you need any treatment. If you do need treatment, this will usually be delayed until around three months after your baby is born. Although you might worry about delaying treatment, the abnormal cells are unlikely to change much in this time. To keep an eye on your condition, your doctor will do another colposcopy when you are about six months pregnant.
Be sure to discuss your options and any concerns you have with your doctor and midwife, and go to all your follow-up appointments after the birth.
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(www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk 25/09/2007)
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