[butterflyme]

Today I had my GD test and my OB ordered a 'Vaginal Swab' to be done too. The GD test was fine, minus the heartburn, but the swab - OUCH. Sorry but TMI ahead - there was blood on the tip of the swab and since then there has been blood in my urine & it STINGS to the point of tears when I wee (just like a UTI, except no urgency to wee all the time).

Has anyone had this before?? I'm drinking Ural & have an appointment to see my GP tomorrow - but I'm freaking out. I haven't had any cramping, and my lady bits are really tender when I wipe, which makes me think UTI, but how, there's been no action down there for months?

[quietlyhopeful]

I'm not sure about the stinging, but a bit of blood after a swab is normal. When you're pregnant your cervix becomes much more vascular (lots and lots of blood vessels). It also becomes more sensitive, so swabbing can cause a bit of bleeding that has no effect on your baby. Definitely worth getting checked out though for peace of mind and to ensure there's no infection. Good luck!

[scarfie]

Why was the swab being done? It sounds like it was a high vaginal swab. Did you do it, or did someone else?

See your GP if symptoms persist.

[~Peaches~]

I would see your GP or midwife if the pain and bleeding are still there tomorrow, that doesn't sound pleasant at all.
I had one swab done when pregnant and my MW told me I could do it myself and only had to insert the tip, there was definitely no pain caused and no bleeding after. It can't hurt to get checked out and make sure all is okay. Hope you're feeling better soon.

[erindiv]

That doesn't sound right. Did you do the swab yourself? I did both my swabs myself and they only had to go a couple of cm in. Certainly not far enough to hurt.

[Koobie83]

Was it a swab, or did the doctor use a speculum? If its a swab it wouldnt have to g that far in. I agree. - go back to your GP if its hurts and you have bleeding.

[butterflyme]

Thanks for your replies ladies.

THB I don't know what the swab was/is for... I didn't think anything of it when my OB gave me the pathology referral at my last appointment prior to Christmas, I was more focused on the Glucose blood test (I'm lucky if I remain upright in the chair during blood tests)

It was like a long cotton bud I had to insert about 1cm myself - through the pathology lab/collection place. It was sort of like when (tmi ahead again) you first start using tampons, that rough dry-ness & tightness - even though it was only a cotton bud size.

The stinging sensation has reduced greatly this morning, but there is still some blood in my urine / when I wipe. I'm off to my GP later this morning for some reassurance - I have been feeling bubs kick and punch me as per usual overnight / right now, so that makes me feel better

Thanks once again for your comments x

[quietlyhopeful]

Sorry I assumes you had a speculum. A swab like you described shouldn't cause bleeding if the blood is definitely coming from your urine then it does sound like a UTI. Maybe just coincidental with the timing.

[Koobie83]

Was the swab for GBS? I've had that but I think my doctor took a speculum so she could test for all sorts of things. I had no bleeding or pain though. I did a urine test at the hospital on Friday and had blood in it - but so far no UTI. Good luck with the doc!

[butterflyme]

Just a quick update - I saw my GP this morning.
Before I left home, I had no more stinging & no more blood, but still went for peace of mind.
When I explained everything to my GP he was quite unimpressed that I had to do the swab myself, in his opinion it should be done by a GP/OB/Gyno as 'how are you meant to see what's what down there with that belly, even though it's a small one, its like poking around in the dark down there?'. Anyway, he got me to to a quick urine test to check for infections and that was all clear. He thinks I may have touched near my uretha or something whilst swabbing / removing swab etc, which passed some nasties onto/into it = the stinging whilst my body got rid of it. The bleeding most likely was as the area is quite sensitive I may have not have been as gentle as I should have.
Unfortunately he thinks because of this, the results of the swab may be off and if I'm requested to do another & my OB wont do it, I'm to go to my GP & he will do it for me.

What fun!!

Thanks for listening & replying :-)