ASC-h Abnormal pap

Okay I had my baby in june, in july I had my 6 week check up. I had a pap done I thought everything was fine now 3 monthes later i get a letter saying it is abnormal. They said they sent me a letter in july but i didnt recieve it or any phone calls. so i was very upset. So i go pick up the letter from the doc office and it says asc-h and they want me to have a Colposcopy done. I am so scared. I have no idea what this means. Did they wait to long to contact me, do I have cancer, could this be because I had just had a baby, what are the chances that I could have cancer or pre cancer cells, could they have waited to long, the difference in asc-h and ascus

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
Cancer takes years to develop, so a matter of a few weeks is not going to make any difference as long as you get your follow up done.  DO NOT blow it off though!
ASC-h means that the pathologist saw some cells that looked suspicious for high-grade dysplasia.  High grade dysplasia is a pre-cancerous condition and needs to be treated--though the good news is that in almost 100% of cases it can be cleared up.
A colposcope is a big microscope--the doctor uses it to look very carefully at your cervix to detect any abnormal areas.  Usually the MD will use some vinegar or iodine to help the abnormal cells show up.  If he/she sees some abnormal spots he/she will probably take some biopsies, or potentially do a LEEP procedure--which is a little bigger biopsy and uses a local anesthetic.  The biopsies are MUCH easier than childbirth!  So, if you can do the first, you can definitely make it through a colposcopy.
There is also a pretty good chance that they won't see any abnormal spots and therefore won't need to do biopsies.  Often a repeat pap is all that is needed.
If you smoke--STOP.  Whatever you do, get the colposcopy done because you can prevent a minor problem from becoming a major one at this point in the game.
By the way, congratulations on your baby!
Dr B

[2confused717]

I had a cervical conbiopsy,due to an abnormal pap years ago from a different doctor..Nothing cancerous was found,thank GOD.Now that I am pregnant my ob-gyn doctor placed me on a high risk pregnancy. This is the result of having a piece of my cervix cut for the conbiopsy.I was told if for some reason the baby shift and apply pressure to the cervix I could go into labor at anytime.I really trust this doctor because of some past diagnosis that only this doctor treated.Should I be able to receive disability while off of work for this.My job consist of a lot of walking and standing thoughout an 8-12hr shift and very stressfull.