Abnormal Pap / hpv? I'm so worried. Please help.

Thank you all for reading this.  I'll start with the good news.  I went to see my Ob yesterday got the results from my first trimester screening.  He has 1 in 10,000 chance of having Downs or trisomy 18.  Hearing that was a huge relief as I was worrying about it all week. Baby is fine.
The bad news is, I had an abnormal pap smear.  The first thing the doctor told me was "Don't stress yourself out about this" which went in one ear and out the other.  Ever since I became pregnant, I worry about everything from if the baby will be allergic to the dog to is my partner getting to work on time to his new job.  I have to go back in a month and she will special camera inside to see what's going on.  She said 1 out of 50 (of her patients)  require a cervical biopsy.  She specifically told me not to go on the internet, which I found pretty funny because i'm on it all day long ( at work).  She says going on the internet may worry me more.  But I'm here because everyone gives their opinions and stories based on their experiences.  And that is exactly what I need.  I would really love to hear if anywomen out there have had an abnormal pap during pregnancy.  I asked her what could have caused it and she said could be HPV among other things.  And a cervical biopsy doesnt sound safe for the baby.  I'm almost affraid to google this because of what I find.  Please help.  I'm loosing sleep at night. LIterally!

[deanne11]

I too had an abnormal pap during my pregnancy and a colposcopy at about 9 weeks....I did not have a biopsy because the colposcopy proved that my dysplasia wasn't to the point where it was worrisome.

Have the colposcopy (it's just a microscopic look at your cervix) and if the do feel that they need to biopsy let them...women can develop severe dysplasia during pregnancy because your immune system is down.

My dysplasia was caused by HPV too.  After having my DD I had the f/u pap and all returned to normal as 70% of cases due if it is indeed caused by HPV.

My dysplasia has now resurfaced and is between mild and moderate so they do not think it will go away on its own and I'm scheduled for a LEEP in 2 weeks.  HPV is s virus that attacks your immune system and cervix.  I've been pregnant 3 times this year and they believe HPV reared it's ugly head because my hormones and immune sytem has been shot this year...3 pregnancies and 3 m/c.

Anyway - you should also know that abnormal paps are common in pregnancy because your hormones are going wild.  It may not be HPV at all...it could just be hormones.  I wasn't tested for HPV until my dysplasia came back this past year.   This is because my drs told me when it came up abnormal in my pregnancy about 50-60% of women do so.

Please just try and relax until you know for sure....and even if it is HPV you can be fine with the right treatment

[newbie2b]

Thank you. I feel like crying I'm bugging out over here. I hate that i have to wait a month.  I have another question if you dont mind.  What would cause them to have to do a biopsy?  Would it be because they say HPV or because they saw something abnormal on my cervix?  I really dont want anything touching my cervix until this baby is ready to come. I dont want to risk loosing him and I certainly dont want so see any blood, even if it's from a biopsy coming from my cervix.  I had an M/c 2 years ago and I'm traumatized.

[deanne11]

The only way they would do a biopsy is if it's severe dysplasia which I doubt it is...when was your last pap before this abnormal one?

I tested slightly mild and then when my dr did the colposcopy he couldn't really see abnormalities...and like I said it cleared up on it's own after birth.

I contracted HPV from my husband...love him, hate him....LOL
Anyway - that's the reason most likely it reared it's ugly head again...plus my 3 pregnancies this year...my body is shot and couldn't fight it off.

If it clears on it's own that is great and most people don't get it back again.  Your body will most likely carry around HPV but you fought it and built up an immunity...I obviously couldn't.

But you are getting way ahead of yourself here....it may just be hormones

[cantwait4baby]

My paps come back abnormal sometimes and I too had a colposcopy.  I have a very sensitive cervex and it was not a plesant experience at all.  BUT I was not pregnant.  I am now pregnant and One pap came back bad and another good and the doctor wanted to schedule me for another colposcopy.  I refused it.  It is invasive and I dont care if they say it is safe for the baby, I know how I felt last time and the cramps would scare me too much.  I am taking a risk but I just wont let them do it.  Right after baby I will and hopefully all will be fine, if not I will take what happens knowing my baby is safe at home.

Good Luck, not an easy decision to make.

[deanne11]

I never found the colposcopy painful....so everyone is different.

I've had 3 colposcopies and I never once was in any pain.

Maybe I have a strong tolerance, I don't know.  Everyone is different.  I know with my last pregnancy I was willing to risk the colpo and biopsy to save my own life if that's what it meant.

I have a 2 yr old daughter I needed to be sure it was cancer...the other baby would survive in my womb by GOD's grace.

Unfortunately I never made it to that test anyway to see because GOD took my baby back home prior

[newbie2b]

I think I had an abnormal pap when I was in my teens.  I know I should know this but I dont. I didnt have insurance for a long time.  I remember the Dr. mentioning an abnormal pap but I was never called back for results. And I never went to her again because we had to pay for the visit ourselves.  I just assumed everything was fine.  I went to a planned parenthood a few times for a check up, I paid based on my income, but I dont know if I even had a pap in that time.  But everything as far as Std's came out fine (they always said if they found something, they would call me).   If this did go back to when I was a teen (I'm 25 now) this could be potentially bad.
I feel so stupid now. I could have had this in my body for almost 8 years and not even know?

[emma10]

Don't they give you a number of how abnormal the cells were or is that only after the colposcopy?  That might help you decide.  I'd get another pap too just to confirm before I did anything.

[deanne11]

The colpo/biopsy tells a clearer picture of the level the dysplasia is at more so than the pap

[deanne11]

You are not stupid and honestly you have age on your side.  Most women under 30 test positive for HPV when they have an abnormal pap that is why it usually isn't worrisome.  It most likely will return to normal without intervention.

HPV once contracted never goes away, it just becomes dormant while your body fights it off.  

My body couldn't that's why I need help with it...and I'm 33.  i don't have the immunity that you younger girls do.

Don't worry....everything will be fine.  The drs will make sure of it and honestly you probably will not need intervention at all and if you do they WILL wait until the baby is born.

It is totally your call...they can't make that decision for you.

GOD BLESS YOU.  I'M PRAYING FOR YOU

[cantwait4baby]

HPV is not bad, almost every woman has it if it shows up or not.  I have had one partner and it pops up here and there at first I freaked out but now I understand it.  You can get this just from contact - 90% of women test positive for it.  Dont let it worry you too much.  I M/C before this ever showed up years ago when I was younger and healthy and now it shows up and I am moving along great in my pregnancy 14 weeks.

Dont let this worry you too much - good luck.

[deanne11]

I too had only 1 partner and now have it...The joys.
Anyway - I had a question for you...if it popped up here and there for you did you ever have treatment or has it remained mild dysplasia and goes away, comes back...goes away?

You know that whole thing.

I have a LEEP scheduled for 2 weeks because they don't think mine will go away this time.

[gml24]

In the beginning of my last pregnancy, I tested positive for HPV.  Dr wanted to do a colposcopy, which turned out to not be as bad as it sounds, and things came back okay, dr said we could wait until baby was born to look into things.  After my son was born all my paps have come back normal, dr says sometimes giving birth will even get rid of abnormal cells!

[deanne11]

I'm glad I could ease your mind somewhat...do me a favor don't research it on the internet to much....You'll drive yourself crazy...I was convinced I had cervical cancer and then it cleared up after birth and my paps were normal again until this year.

Now I'm older and my body is fighting it so I need surgery....I seriously doubt you will.  The colpo will give you more answers and they will decide...most drs just monitor it for the next 9 months...how far along are you...if you are in the first 12 weeks...abnormal paps are more the often than normal paps cause you hormones are going nuts right now.

GOD BROUGHT ME TO THIS SITE AFTER MY 3 M/C FOR A REASON....I'M GLAD I COULD HELP YOU EVEN A LITTLE BIT....IT WAS ALL WORTH IT TO KNOW I COULD HAVE POSSIBLY HELPED ONE PERSON THROUGH THEIR TRIALS.

I'VE WALKED A LONG DARK VALLEY THIS YEAR BUT GOD STAYED TRUE TO ME AND STAYED BY MY SIDE, LED ME HERE TO ENCOURAGE AND GIVE HOPE.

GOD BLESS

[cantwait4baby]

Hi Deanne

I never had treatment.  It showed up first time last year and I got a 2nd opinion from a new doctor and then it did not show up.  Then 6 months later it did show up and I had the horrible experience of a colposcopy and they cut and cut and cut (sorry to be graphic but it was horrible).  This was just earlier this year I have been told I have a sensitive cervix - I bleed during paps but that was horrible.  Anyway, after that he said that he just wanted to watch me and have paps every 6 months, it did show up again 6 months later and he scheduled me for another colposcopy but I got pregnant before I had it.  Now, the fun part, just two months after it showed up the last time I had my first prenatal visit which as you know includes a pap.  It was negative for HPV.  The still wanted to do the colposcopy but I refused.  The reason why I am pregnant is because I am 32 and that whole experince scared me into thinking I was running out of time.  I would give my life for this unborn baby.  

The doctor cannot answer why the testing goes back and forth but he does assure me I am not dirty and that my partner is not cheating :)  He even went as far to say that he treats nuns and sometimes they test positive - I said then you should not call it an STD.  - - Anyway, good luck to you.

[deanne11]

Yeah my dr assured me to that it's not me or that my DH cheated...but DH did have other partners before me so he probably got it elsewhere and when we met...boom...he's a carrier and now so am I.

Anyway - you said your HPV test was negative?  Did you ever get a positive HPV test or is yours just a case of abnormal paps?

[girliegrl1723]

hi. i know you've already gotten a lot of great feedback on the issue, but i just thought i would let you know that i had a colposcopy when i was about 24 weeks or so. i had an abnormal pap right before i found out i was pregnant and the colposcopy was scheduled during my first trimester. they pushed it back until the second trimester and i was a nervous wreck about having it done, but they assured me they wouldn't biopsy anything unless absolutely nescessary. so, i had the colposcopy and it was increadibly uncomfertable, but otherwise nothing to worry yourself over. the dr. said that if i wasn't pregnant, she would have def. biopsied some abnormal cells, but since i was pregnant, she would hold off until after the baby. so, i have that to look forward to...ha! anyway, my point is, this is really not a big deal and whether you have a colposcopy during your pregnancy or not, it absolutely will not affect the baby and there is nothing to worry about!

good luck to you and your little one! <3

[cantwait4baby]

Yes, I did test positive for it but my last pap I tested negative for it.  It is strange, it comes and goes - and the doctor did say it could do that but I had two paps two months apart one positive one negative.  I am now 14 weeks pregnant and I just try not to think about that I am so grateful to be blessed with this baby - Got pregnant on the first try - very complicated pregnancy but we are moving along.  Are you pregnant now?  How is it going?  Good Luck!

[deanne11]

No, I'm not pregnant now...will be trying again after the LEEP.  I had 3 m/c this year...all very early.  5.5 weeks for the first 2 natural m/c and another at 8.5 weeks induced by d&e....

all babies tissue came back normal...not chromosome problems or anything...not sure what is happening this year.

We have a 2yr DD....that was no problem and uneventful pregnancy.

I have no problem conceiving...just can seem to get them to attach or stay attached this year....drs can't find anything wrong.

[newbie2b]

Deanne11:

I went to Catholic school all of my life and for a long time, I didnt know if I believed in GOD.  I was taught so many conflicting things that I just chucked it all and remained a good person.  Well after becoming pregnant with my little one, it has sure changed my perspective on things.  I do believe that you were sent here to help people as they helped you.  And I intend to do the same. Pregnancy is a scary thing.  Especially since its the first time you've gotten so far in a pregnancy.  And there are tons of women on here who need help or just a kind word during their rough time.  And this is a wonderful site for support.

Btw I am 13 weeks prego.

Cantwait: I'm sorry that you went through all that tourture (that's what it sounds like) I hope that things turn out well for both of you ladies. I especially like the part about your Dr. treating nuns. :-)  By no means am I a promiscuous girl. But i have a feeling that if I do have HPV it would stem back to my first bf when I had that first abnormal pap.  I was 16 and I came to find out 4 years later that he was cheating on my left and right.  But everything else was always fine with me.

That's probably why I believe in God now.  How could we all have gotten so far with out someone watching over us?

[brwneyes]

I had the same thing with HPV, My husband tested positive and I have never tested positive for it. I asked my OB about that and he said this could be because there are so many different HPV viruses that it would depend on what strand they are testing for.

[cantwait4baby]

I too went to catholic school but I am not very religious or at least I was not.  I do believe in the power of prayer and I do believe that it got our babies to where we are now in our pregnancies and it also helped our babies that did not make it go to a special place with those other family members that we have lost to enjoy.  I truly believe my first is with my grandmother because when I thought I was loosing this one I looked at her picture and I said Grandmom you cant have this one please take care of us and she did.  Our future is looking brighter.  I have had a horrible/scarey pregnancy so far I have been admitted twice to the hospital but since i have reached the 2nd trimester everything has been going well.  

Deanne - I a so sorry for your losses this year but very much admire your courage.  Just to be on here helping others like myself is a wonderful thing.

I would go through this all again just to be guaranteed a healthy baby :)  That heartbeat just blows my mind everytime I hear it.

[newbie2b]

Thank you.  You have given me some insight into the situation.  I feel like she didnt give me much information about it.  Just not to worry and that 1 out of 50 of her patients needed a cervical biopsy. But you have put my mind at ease. I'm still worried but I feel more informed.  Thank you for all your information.  I feel more calm.  Plus I cant drive my self nuts over this for 4 weeks. You've really helped. :-)  I'll pray for you to.
:-)
Erin

[Momicita]

Had one(colposcopy) done yesterday, believe it or not!  I was so nervous, I guess because I listened to others tell their stories about the procedure, but all and all, It really was not bad.  dont be nervous.  Just relax. all will be ok.  I have not gotten the results back yet though, Dr says that could take about a week.  I m not afraid, I am 13 weeks pregnant, and I know things will work out.  You should believe that for yourself as well.