• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

Cramps & Spotting After a Pap Smear During Pregnancy

July 27, 2010 by ModernMom Staff Leave a Comment

Any type of bleeding or cramping during pregnancy can cause you to worry since those are signs of a miscarriage. If it happens after a pap smear, it may seem that the doctor did something wrong, but it’s actually quite normal to have some spotting and cramping after a pap smear.

Function

The pap smear looks for changes in cells around your cervix, which could indicate a higher than normal chance of getting cervical cancer. The doctor will swab some cells around the cervix and send them to a lab for analysis. Current recommendations are for women to receive a pap smear every two years. If it’s been longer since you’ve had a pap smear, your doctor may perform one during your first pregnancy visit.

Why You May Bleed

During your pregnancy, there is increased blood flow to the cervix. When the doctor swabs your cervix, it’s irritating, which can increase the blood flow even more. This can cause slight spotting. You may also have a small polyp in the cervical area, which can burst during the exam.

Safety

There is no danger to having a pap smear during your pregnancy. Many doctors include it as a routine procedure. At the beginning of your pregnancy–when your doctor will perform the pap–your cervix is not near where your baby is protected in your uterus.

Time Frame

Cramping and bleeding should last two to three days. The bleeding you experience should be quite light, requiring only a panty liner. It will most likely be somewhat brown in color.

When to Contact Your Doctor

Though some levels of cramping and spotting after your pap smear are normal, you should contact your doctor if you experience severe cramping or if the blood flow is heavy and bright red. These could be signs of a miscarriage, though it is unlikely that it is a result of the miscarriage.

Photo Credit

  • pancia image by CORRADO RIVA from Fotolia.com

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Health/Fitness

About ModernMom Staff

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Search

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

ModernMom TV

Featured

10 Things I Want My Daughter To Know

The other day one of my teenage daughters told me she was … [Read More...] about 10 Things I Want My Daughter To Know

Must Have

STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

April has arrived which means it’s time to pull out the food … [Read More...] about STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

Did you know?

Soothe Red and Irritated Skin After a Brazilian Wax

How to Soothe Red and Irritated Skin After a Brazilian Wax

Decoding a Man’s Hug

Decoding a Man’s Hug

substitution for oil in baking brownies

Substitution for Oil in Baking Brownies

How to Ask a Guy You Are Seeing Where You Stand

How to Ask a Guy You Are Seeing Where You Stand

10 foods to improve sperm count and quality

10 Foods to Improve Sperm Count and Quality

How to Even Out a Spray Tan That Left White Spots

How to Even Out a Spray Tan That Left White Spots

Juice Vs. Concentrate

Juice Vs. Concentrate

How Many Calories Does 10,000 Steps Burn

How Many Calories Does 10,000 Steps Burn?

Signs That Your Toddler Has Been Touched Inappropriately

Natural Remedies to Increase Sperm Count

Natural Remedies to Increase Sperm Count

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2023 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.