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Coloscopy

Ashley21
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I am 26 and had my smear done come back with HPV cells so I had to be put for colonoscopy it was the worst pain I have ever felt to the point I was in absolute tears I told them to stop, I was currently 12 weeks pregnant which I informed the NHS about on my arrival the doctor had no idea I was pregnant which I found bizzare they would do this while pregnant, having a trainee male student here 2 nurses and the doctor doing the colonoscopy I felt so embarrassed, humiliated left feeling shaken up and to then drive myself home. I was told I need to go back once had baby to get this checked again even though I'm low risk I am absolutely petrified to go and get this done again once baby is born no one ever told me before this what I would expect in this hour appointment of humiliation 

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    Ashley 21

    Hi Ashley I'm sorry you found the Coloscopy so traumatic and painful  and that you felt embarrased,it shouldn't of been like that for you and I'm sorry  that you had this awful experience. And I'm.surprised this was carried out whilst you were pregnant.  I've had two Colopscopys on my vulva in two different areas,and I had a vinigar solution put on the areas  then had injections to numb  the areas  before the biobsys were taken. Yes it did hurt a bit  but it wasn't thar bad nothing I couldn't handle. I did bleed and bleed for a few days after, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle. 

    If you do have to have this procedure done again at a later date, I know you won't want to after your last experience  I don't know if you got yourself worked up with the stress of having to have this procedure done but if you did ,it doesn't help you become very tense and your muscles become tight and tense which would make it more painfull than it should be,maybe this is whst happned to you .The trick is to try to remain calm and think to yourself ,this little bit of emarasement  and pain,could potentially save my life if there is anything wrong , going through it  is worth it to have peace of mind  that if there is anything wrong  it csn be found   and a treatment plan, can be put in place. 

    Hope all goes well for you and your pregnancy.

  • Hello there and thanks for posting

    I am sorry to hear about the bad experience you had at the colposcopy clinic and how anxious it has left you feeling about any future follow appointments.

    If I were you I would try and contact the hospitals pals ( patient advice liaison service) here to talk through all of this and help you to process what has happened and to explore how this could be improved next time. 

    We have a section of information about abnormal cells and pregnancy here. As you will see they usually do wish to check the cervix out in colposcopy if abnormalities are found in pregnancy and this is safe to have done however treatment isn't usually carried out until after the baby is born if treatment is needed.

    Wishing you all the best with the rest of your pregnancy.

    Take care

    Naomi

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