Speculum in pregnancy

[Keeponhoping]

Has anyone had a high vaginal swab via a speculum in pregnancy? I had some mucus with blood in it yesterday, thought I was going through my 4th loss! I'm 17 weeks pregnant. They did a heartbeat check and a scan and thankfully the baby is ok. However they did the above and it was bloody painful and told i have cervical erosion. They have also sent off swabs to check for infection etc. I'm still feeling quite sore and tender from the examination. Just worrying I suppose. Hoping someone can put my mind at ease. Are speculums and high vaginal swabs safe in pregnancy? This anxiety will never end, will it! X x

 

[MrsBunny]

Sorry you're experiencing this, lovely. I don't have any specific advice or experience here, but didn't want to read and run.

I can't imagine they would do any procedure like that if it wasn't safe and/or necessary.

x

 

[Keeponhoping]

Thank you for replying, at least you took the time to do so. x x

 

[BunnyN]

I think some doctors prefer to avoid them just incase but in general there is no evidence that they cause a problem and they are considered completely safe. Infections on the other hand can be dangerous in pregnancy if left untreated so it's good that they are checking that. Hope you feel better soon, hugs.

 

[Keeponhoping]

Thank you so much bunny, much appreciated. It just feels like an age for the results. Only had the swab on Monday so fingers crossed I hear something soon, although time feels like forever! Just want to get it treated if it is something. X x

 

[rainbow.23]

When it's thought that there may be a problem such as waters breaking too early midwives and doctors are told to do only a speculum exam as there is much lower risk of causing an infection than by examining with the fingers. So I would say it's extremely safe to have this done.
Don't let anyone do something to you if you're unsure about it, without asking first!

 

[PeanutButter]

When theres blood usually do a swab. I had 2 with my daughter cos had some spotting around 27 weeks.... And i had my bloody show, didnt know it was, so they did a speculm while i was in labour at 37+6 (no one knew was labour tho). But yeah i think its a normal thing for them to do.

 

[Keeponhoping]

Thanks to everyone else who has replied. I was told they can only check for infections by doing a speculum and high vaginal swab as urine tests don't show up things like bv, strep b etc only a swab will. So thought I was best to get checked incase I have anything. Phoned my midwife this morning to see if results are back but they're not. She seems to think from my symptoms I've either got some kind of infection or brewing one. So she's checking with gp whether it's worth starting me on an antibiotic in the meantime just incase whilst waiting for results. Waiting to hear back from her now. X x

 

[Princess81]

They take things like high vaginal swabs because bacterial growth from urine would show systemic infection, but hvs shows localised colonisation of bacteria, like group b strep etc. If group b strep was found in urine for instance, it’s a more serious scenario than if it’s found on a swab from a localised area. X

 

[Keeponhoping]

Thank you princess81. You seem very knowledgable, do you mind me asking a few more questions?? So sounds like from what you're saying that high vaginal swabs are a common procedure in pregnancy to check for infections?? As well as strep b what else does a high vaginal swab check for??? X x