Before we begin Trying To Conceive (TTC) baby number 2 there’s a few loose ends and matters to be addressed. Some more serious matters than others, but I thought I’d go through the mental checklist I have and it may just trigger some helpful food for thought for others!
Item no. 1: When did I last have a smear test?
Ladies, do you remember when you last had yours? I couldn’t! It was a thought that hit me as I ‘overheard’ (office eavesdropped) a colleague discuss needing to book hers. Call it baby brain, mum madness or just complete mental
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failure but I actually had no recollection of when I had last spread my legs all in the name of good cervical health.
So I retraced my steps (mentally) through the years…
2014 – had just had a baby, definitely no smear done.
2013 – I was pregnant, definitely no smear done.
2012 – Lived in a different part of the country, had a different job, no clue if a smear had been done!
So, best case scenario I was definitely due my 3 yearly smear (if it had occurred in 2012)…but worst case scenario I had completely forgotten about it,
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fallen out of the system by moving locations in the UK/doctors as my job had dictated… SHIT! How could I have been so absent-minded to forget and not have it noted somewhere of use!? This is why I have a Filofax!!!
In that panic I rang my current doctors, explained I was definitely due my smear but had no idea how overdue it was. That’s when I discovered the wonders of a central database that could trace and pinpoint the exact date, time and place of your last smear: 4th July 2012…still can’t remember it but safe to say I got booked in
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ASAP!*
Following a bit of reading up I have since discovered you can have a smear if pregnant but I just felt it was better to be checked and get my results before adding any potential complications or unneeded stress if the results weren’t as I’d hoped.
Happy to say in just under 2 weeks I received the following in the post:
My very own letter confirming my cervix is ’normal’ woop woop!
I’m lucky, many others are not as 3,000 new cases of cervical cancer
SelfishMother.com
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are diagnosed each year (NHS Choices). My story proves that even with the best of intentions you can forget – especially when you have children it’s the last thing you have to think about! Get your next smear check in your diary, contact your GP, check your recall date and make sure you go!!!
*It’s worth noting that the UK labs are really strict with smear samples. They will not test them unless they are taken the day you are due your smear test or later, so don’t book in earlier than necessary unless you are worried, have symptoms to indicate
SelfishMother.com
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something may be wrong or your doctor has advised you to!
Before we begin Trying To Conceive (TTC) baby number 2 there’s a few loose ends and matters to be addressed. Some more serious matters than others, but I thought I’d go through the mental checklist I have and it may just trigger some helpful food for thought for others!
Item no. 1: When did I last have a smear test?
Ladies, do you remember when you last had yours? I couldn’t! It was a thought that hit me as I ‘overheard’ (office eavesdropped) a colleague discuss needing to book hers. Call it baby brain, mum madness or just complete mental failure but I actually had no recollection of when I had last spread my legs all in the name of good cervical health.
So I retraced my steps (mentally) through the years…
2014 – had just had a baby, definitely no smear done.
2013 – I was pregnant, definitely no smear done.
2012 – Lived in a different part of the country, had a different job, no clue if a smear had been done!
So, best case scenario I was definitely due my 3 yearly smear (if it had occurred in 2012)…but worst case scenario I had completely forgotten about it, fallen out of the system by moving locations in the UK/doctors as my job had dictated… SHIT! How could I have been so absent-minded to forget and not have it noted somewhere of use!? This is why I have a Filofax!!!
In that panic I rang my current doctors, explained I was definitely due my smear but had no idea how overdue it was. That’s when I discovered the wonders of a central database that could trace and pinpoint the exact date, time and place of your last smear: 4th July 2012…still can’t remember it but safe to say I got booked in ASAP!*
Following a bit of reading up I have since discovered you can have a smear if pregnant but I just felt it was better to be checked and get my results before adding any potential complications or unneeded stress if the results weren’t as I’d hoped.
Happy to say in just under 2 weeks I received the following in the post:
My very own letter confirming my cervix is ‘normal’ woop woop!
I’m lucky, many others are not as 3,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year (NHS Choices). My story proves that even with the best of intentions you can forget – especially when you have children it’s the last thing you have to think about! Get your next smear check in your diary, contact your GP, check your recall date and make sure you go!!!
*It’s worth noting that the UK labs are really strict with smear samples. They will not test them unless they are taken the day you are due your smear test or later, so don’t book in earlier than necessary unless you are worried, have symptoms to indicate something may be wrong or your doctor has advised you to!
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