This is my first pregnancy, I didn’t know what to expect from a first OB appointment at 24 weeks. I was asked questions, 2 pokes on my belly & a heart rate.
When going through my medical history, Dr Helen Yang noticed I have never had a Pap smear. She offered to give me one & because I felt like I would be leaving yet another doctors appointment, taken off work/losing income, with no real checkup done, I agreed.
Because it was my first one, I had no idea what to expect. I didn’t realize how invasive it would be.
Dr. Yang, knowing it was my first one, did not bother to explain anything to me prior to the procedure. Once it was done, she told me I may experience some cramping and bleeding but this is normal for a pap.
I didn’t expect to be offered a pap, so I only did my research after the fact, trusting that an OB would know best and not do anything potentially harmful.
What I found after speaking with another OBGYN, is that a Pap smear at 24 weeks pregnant is absolutely pointless and unnecessary… the result could come back as “abnormal” simply because of being pregnant/my hormone levels. Even if the results were abnormal, I cannot receive treatment until after giving birth anyways. My cervix should not be tampered with this late in pregnancy, as it could put me into early labour, which my baby most likely would not survive. This test should have waited until after labour.
It’s strange to me that,
A) an OB wouldn’t explain the process and effects of this invasive test PRIOR to performing it, knowing it was my first one.
& B) She wouldn’t know that it is absolutely pointless, as the results are likely to come back as abnormal simply because I’m pregnant.
I am not a doctor, and put all of my faith and trust in this one, which I regret. I will not be going back there. DO NOT GO TO DR HELEN YANG!