Many women begin to undergo a complex of examinations long before pregnancy. But for the first time, many are confronted with the concept of colposcopy after they become pregnant. Therefore, they ask themselves: "Is it possible to do colposcopy during pregnancy?" and "How safe is this procedure for the baby?"
Colposcopy is a diagnostic method that is aimed at identifying changes and pathologies of the cervix. If a woman did not undergo examination before pregnancy, then the doctor during the initial examination may detect changes in the state of the cervix. The presence of any deviations may affect the doctor’s choice of delivery method. That is, the result of colposcopy depends on how a woman will give birth: on her own or with Caesarean section.
The article will discuss this type of examination during pregnancy, for which it is prescribed and what complications a woman may have after the examination.
General terminology
Before answering the question: "Is it possible to do colposcopy during pregnancy", you need to understand the terminology. Colposcopy is a research method with the aim of a thorough examination of the cervix using a colposcope. Thanks to this examination, various gynecological diseases can be diagnosed with high accuracy, for example, cervical erosion, oncology, precancerous condition
The colposcopic method is a mandatory study in obstetrics, especially if there is evidence. Quite often, identified diseases (if they occur in a mild form) during pregnancy are not subject to treatment until a woman gives birth. But if during the examination revealed serious changes in the mucous membrane of the cervix uteri, a cesarean section is performed.
Is it possible to do colposcopy during pregnancy? Of course yes. In addition, this examination is planned and the gynecologist writes out a referral for it. Many women begin to worry very much when they are recommended to undergo colposcopy, but this does not mean that there is any serious pathology. The examination is prescribed and in order to make sure that nothing will interfere with the natural birth and there will be no complications in labor.
Colposcopic examination is a thorough examination of the cervix, in which soft tissue injury does not occur. This diagnostic method allows you to identify serious pathologies and diseases in the initial stages of development.
The study is performed using a tool - a colposcope. This is an optical medical device with additional lighting. It was opened in 1925.
Using this device, you can examine in detail the walls of the vagina, vulva, cervix. Colposcopy is currently considered an affordable and accurate method of research in gynecology.
Examination is carried out on an ordinary gynecological chair. The study excludes tumor processes, the presence of scars, warts, microcracks. The doctor determines the condition and size of the cervix and its vascular state.
As a rule, the procedure is not anesthetized and does not cause a woman discomfort. This, in essence, is a study in which a colposcope magnifies the image several tens of times, and the gynecologist can examine the surface of the cervix, as if under a microscope.
You should know that doctors recommend colposcopy during pregnancy in the early stages, if there are suspicions of the development of oncology or tissue dysplasia.
Indications
Conduct 2 types of colposcopic examination: simple and advanced.
With a simple colposcopy, the doctor examines the condition of the cervix in more detail than with a regular examination of the patient. With an expanded form of research, you can see the stages of development of a cancer or precancerous process, the condition of the cervix, pathology and area of lesions, as well as all types of anomalies in this area
Most often, such a study is recommended for those women who have the following symptoms:
- Intermenstrual bleeding;
- Pain after or during sex;
- Itching, burning in the genitals;
- Rash on the genitals;
- Spotting after intercourse;
- Drawing pains in abdomen.
During pregnancy, colposcopy can be performed if there is a suspicion of cervical erosion. Recently, doctors began to conduct this study as mandatory, since the frequency of gynecological pathologies has increased significantly.
It should also be borne in mind that from the moment of conception, the woman's hormonal background changes, the immune system falls, against the background of this, some gynecological diseases develop especially rapidly.
You can conduct this examination on your own initiative for the prevention and detection of pathologies and oncological diseases in the early stages.
Contraindications
There are very few contraindications to this examination. Colposcopy is carried out even in the first months of pregnancy. It is absolutely safe for women and is not able to harm the baby. Therefore, when pregnant women ask their exciting question about whether colposcopy can be done during pregnancy, doctors answer in the affirmative.
But, if there is a threat of miscarriage, then research, as a rule, is postponed until the increased tone of the uterus and bloody secretions disappear. Also, a study is not conducted for women who do not tolerate iodine and acetic acid, which are used during the procedure.
Colposcopy of the neck during pregnancy can be done not for all women. There are some factors due to which the doctor will postpone the examination for a while. So, the procedure is not carried out if:
- the cervix has been recently operated on;
- there is a threat of abortion;
- acute inflammation in the uterus.
Colposcopy during pregnancy
Of course, any health research is best done before pregnancy. So with colposcopy, with which you can study the general gynecological state of health. But if this examination was not performed before the onset of an interesting situation, then it is carried out during pregnancy. Many women in a position are very worried and ask doctors a question whether it is possible to do colposcopy of a pregnant woman, the answer, as mentioned earlier, is positive. This study is not only possible, but also needs to be done if necessary.
As a rule, before the onset of pregnancy, a full examination of the state of health, there are units. In most women, the doctor discovers various pathologies of the cervix when they become registered, that is, at the first scheduled examination. It is after the examination that the doctor prescribes colposcopy. You should not refuse this examination, since even elementary erosion, by the end of pregnancy can develop into cancer.
You should know that this examination does not harm the baby and does not affect its condition.
Features
In general terms, the examination procedure during pregnancy is carried out in the same way as in the absence thereof. The only difference is that in a pregnant woman the cervix is covered with a thick layer of mucus, which protects the child from infection, which can penetrate from the outside. Because of this plug, it is a little more difficult to detect neoplasms and other pathologies. For this reason, only an experienced specialist performs the research procedure.
Often during pregnancy, several colposcopic diagnostics are performed. Since in the first trimester it is rather difficult to obtain the necessary information, therefore, a second examination is prescribed.
As a rule, colposcopy resembles a routine gynecological examination; in the absence of indications, additional solutions are not used during the procedure. If there is a suspicion of oncology, then in addition to the usual examination, a tissue biopsy is performed.
A modern device - a colposcope is installed opposite the gynecological chair, its optical focus is fixed on the desired site of study. In the study, the gynecologist uses only a colposcope and a gynecological mirror. In general, the procedure lasts 15 -20 minutes.
Pros and cons of the survey
Many doctors attribute this type of examination to mandatory during pregnancy. This should not be afraid, colposcopy can not harm a child.
The need for examination during an interesting situation arises due to the fact that most women are not examined before pregnancy.
The advantages of this survey are:
- Timely diagnosis of cervical pathologies;
- Timely detection of cervical erosion, in this case, a woman will be given a cesarean section as a method of delivery.
A biopsy during colposcopy is prescribed to pregnant women very rarely, since taking cells for examination can cause bleeding, and in some cases miscarriage.
Colposcopy itself has no drawbacks. This is a gynecological examination using multiple magnification. This examination is painless and harmless for a woman.
Preparation for the procedure
Colposcopy is a type of gynecological examination, before it is performed, a woman is recommended for 48 hours:
- Do not douche;
- Do not have sex;
- Do not inject suppositories and ointments into the vagina.
Before the study, a smear should be taken to determine the microflora. On the day of the morning hygiene procedures should be carried out.
Effects
After colposcopy, as a result of which no pathologies were detected on the cervix, there were no complications.
Possible consequences after the procedure:
- If the woman has had an extended colposcopy or a biopsy has been performed, dark discharge may be present for several days, they are usually scarce and odorless.
- Allocations of a bright red color indicate bleeding, you should immediately seek medical help to exclude complications and a threat to pregnancy.
- In rare cases, colposcopy can cause severe bleeding and miscarriage. That is why the procedure is prescribed only if the woman feels well and pregnancy proceeds without complications.
If a woman underwent a biopsy during colposcopy, for 2 weeks she should not have sex, go to a sauna or bath, take aspirin.
Treatment after the procedure
After colposcopy, a woman is prescribed, if necessary, treatment. During pregnancy, cauterization is contraindicated, so the treatment is usually local: ointments, applications, douching. After the course, a second examination is prescribed, the doctor evaluates the success of the therapy. After treatment, colposcopy is performed several months after the birth.
Instead of a conclusion
A woman is obliged to monitor her health, she must regularly visit a gynecologist. When planning pregnancy, you need to visit a doctor once every six months. Colposcopic examination is carried out using a medical optical device - a colposcope, with its help the doctor can exclude many gynecological pathologies and anomalies.
During pregnancy, the gynecologist should make sure that there are no diseases that will affect its normal development. That is why many pregnant women are prescribed this procedure. If cervical erosion is suspected, the woman is checked with a colposcope at 9 weeks. If no diseases are detected, then an additional procedure is not required. But if the doctor diagnosed cervical erosion or another disease, the examination is repeated at the beginning of each trimester in order to monitor the course of the disease and improvement from therapy.
So, is colposcopy performed during pregnancy? And can it be safely carried out for a child and a pregnant woman? Of course, this procedure can be carried out and it is absolutely safe. With the help of this gynecological examination, the doctor can diagnose and evaluate the lesions and decide on the method of delivery. If mild erosion is detected on the cervix, then local treatment is carried out with the help of suppositories and other drugs. If significant changes in the tissue of the cervix are detected, the doctor decides on a cesarean section.