What did she mean?! I think I misunderstood!

[Menaray]

Yesterday I had a smear test. There was some difficulty for the nurse locating my cervix, so as she was rummaging, she was making conversation - presumably to put me at ease.

She asked how many dc I had, and I told her I had 4. She said "4? You look good for 4". Given what she was doing, and where she was looking at the time she made her comment, I assumed she meant all looked well in the pelvic floor/cervix region. So I launched into a detailed description of my pelvic floor exercise regime. She didn't really say much after I'd finished, by which time she'd collected the sample.

It sort of hit me as I was driving home that she hadn't in fact been complimenting me on my nether regions, but had been making general polite conversation! I feel silly now! Would anyone else have made the same assumption?

The nurse doing my last smear said i had a lovely neat vagina which was all looking beautiful and neat.
Made me better as ive always bern convinced it went mutant after my first child.

I have a smear booked this week and am really anxious. Ivd3been putting it off nearly a year with covid.

This thread has been fab for making me laugh 😁.

Im also v obese and am worried if that will make it trickier for her or I need to state the obvious when I go in.

Im scared of covid too. The whole lot.

I’ve been complimented on my cervix twice Always a bit of an odd one. You can hardly return the compliment

The surprise Norse at the smear has really made me laugh!

I once went to the maternity unit for a check up and when I came into the room the nurse said "just slip your togs off and get on the bed I'll be back in a min". I obediently slipped all my clothes off and laid down on the bed. When the nurse came back in she looked somewhat surprised and it transpired she had actually said "slip your shoes off and get on the bed". So that was awkward.

I had taken my knickers off and everything I did think it was a bit odd she hadn't given me a gown.

Haha, this is so funny! She could have meant either but what were you supposed to think with regards to where she was?!

I recently had ds2 and needed surgery after a 3c tear. The anethetist was lovely and held my hand during surgery as I couldn't stop shaking. When the operation was over, the surgeon asked for a check. The anethetist went round to help. As they finished the check the anethetist said, "wow, what a lovely job, it's really tidy down here." I remember thinking, "err, is he talking about my lady bits?!" And just mumbled some words of thanks. Mate, I could see in the reflection of the mirrored lampshade what it looked like down there and it looked like the surgeon was stuffing a turkey...joy.

Nurse (not a Viking warrior 🤣)

Shame, that!

hilarious. Trying very hard not to spit my tea out laughing!

I'm surprised that so many posters find highly unprofessional comments from doctors and nurses so hilarious.

I'm also surprised so there are so many of my fellow healthcare professionals giving patients their personal opinion on the appearance of their genitals.

It hardly inspires confidence in those intimidated by the thought of attending for a smear test.

I am surprised so many are taking offence. I see it as trying to deflect from what can be a difficult situation for some. They are making small talk as it were, trying to make you understand for them it is just work - a job they do many times, they have seen all sorts and there is no need to be embarrassed. They are hoping to make it a more casual/friendly experience.

@SameToo

I’ve been complimented on my cervix twice Always a bit of an odd one. You can hardly return the compliment

You could do something close, though, by saying something like 'Oh, thanks. I must say, I thought your arse looked lovely as we walked in.'

It sort of points out how inappropriate a judgement is. And would be priceless in the resulting responses.

P.S. for those worried just be honest, explain why, ask the nurse to detail what will happen, to take it slow. Yes, it is something most of us would rather not have (no one skips into the appointment!) but it is a wonderful free service that is for your benefit.

@poopyface

I remember being told things were 'nice and pink' during a smear - made me want to vomit a bit.

Haha I got the same comment at my last one. I can't remember how I replied, but there's only so much small talk you can deal with when a nurse's head is pretty much in your vag.

@Menaray

Thank you for sharing your experiences and making me feel less silly!

Dd and I had a smear on the same day last year, and the nurse told me that we had very similar cervixes! I was quite flattered to be told that, Dd not so much!

Then I'd be very concerned about patient confidentiality!

Tbf @CandyLeBonBon that nurse is someone I know - she has a Dd the same age as mine, and the DDs are friends. Dd had told me that the nurse had had some difficulty finding her cervix earlier the same day. So when she was struggling similarly to find mine I mentioned that it seemed like she'd had the same issue with Dd.

Maybe so @Menaray - personally I'd be uncomfortable with blurred boundaries like that but whatever floats your boat I guess.

Went to a consultants appointment with my DP a few years ago, consultant asked how things were in the “bedroom department” because of the meds he was on and my DP said he sleeps just fine 😂