To not want to get my smear test done by the practice nurse and go to the family planning clinic instead?

[PleaseLetMeCuddleTheGuineaPig]

My mum thinks IABU and thinks I'm being petty and making a big deal out of nothing. It isn't a big deal and maybe I am being petty, but it's how I feel and I can't help that.

Basically I've just got my letter in the post reminding me to book my first smear test. I know that most people get this done by the nurse at their GP practice but there is something that I don't feel comfortable about. It's a small surgery and there is only one practice nurse. It just so happens that I actually know this nurse outside of a professional capacity, she is a family friend and we have known her quite well for years.

I do get along well with her and socialise with her at events, parties, etc but I think the fact that I get along well with her and know her well outside work is what makes me feel uncomfortable .

I know some people wouldn't have a problem with that, my mum certainly has no problem going to her for smear tests. But I just don't like the fact that I'll be spreading my legs for her, she'll be looking at my fanjo and sticking a speculum in it...and then we'll meet in the pub a week later outside of that enviroment for a drink and a gossip. I don't think I'll be able to look her in the eye .

I do know that the family planning clinic where I go to to get my contraceptive pill also does smear tests and I know a couple of people who have went there instead. I want to go there (and I probably will) but my mum thinks I'm being silly and petty.

But I'd imagine a smear test to be an uncomfortable awkward experience anyways so why make it even more awkward?

If you feel like this, then no YANBU. It makes you uncomfortable - and that's okay and perfectly understandable.

My mum is married to a (now retired) GP. She knew all the nurses at the practice and she felt the same way. She would drive 25 miles to go to an FPC in order to have a little privacy.

Yanbu, if it makes you comfortable to have it done elsewhere then it's fine, just as long as you do it. I would feel the same as you too.

Yanbu...I wouldn't want her to do it in your situation. Go to the clinic instead.

Yes, yes and yes. No way would I want someone I know rooting around there. I think I'd drive further than 25miles.

YANBU, you know this woman personally so it's natural that you'd be uncomfortable with her having a rummage around your fanjo! I'd do the same in your situation.

That's not silly or petty at all! I wouldn't have an intimate examination by anyone I knew in a social capacity, couldn't do it. I'm sure the nurse would be extremely professional but it's not about their skills is it, it's about your discomfort which is very valid.

Go to the Family Planning Clinic and ignore your mum. Well done for getting it done, smear testing is so important.

YANBU, if you feel uncomfortable before you go in then you will be tense.
Family planning nurses will do it all the time-it's quick, easy and painless x

Good God that's not silly at all.

Your mum I would think would be in the minority here. No way would I want a personal friend involved in intimate care in that way.

I am a nurse and I think you are being completely reasonable.
As nurses we are trained to keep things separate and confidential, but it is understandable that you feel uncomfortable.
Just book it at the clinic instead.
No-one will mind.

I'm a (trainee) practice nurse, personally I wouldn't mind giving you a smear test if I was your family friend, but if you wanted it done by someone else I wouldn't mind.
Your fanny, you choose who goes up there.

As long as you get it done when it is due, it doesn't matter where!
I can see why you would be uncomfortable

YANBU! I'd do the same as you

Sounds perfectly reasonable to me. I go to the FPC just because I really dislike the practice nurse at our (otherwise excellent) surgery. FPC staff are usually the best at these things anyway, in my experience, just because they do it all day every day.

Do you do everything your mum tells you ?

I do this, a few years back I had a smear and the practice nurse was a parent at the school I teach in. She really struggled to be professional, blushed, stammered and was obviously mortified.
I found her so annoying that I had to swap or I'd have yelled 'FFS WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?' next time round. She should have worked at a practice a long way from home if she couldn't cope with the crossover.

Like AF says, why do you have to if what your Mum says? Is it any of her business? I can't imagine even bringing it up with my mum, what an odd thing to want to debate!

My smear, my cervix, my business

tell your mum to extract her beak

Yanbu!

Sorry but ewwwwwwwwwwwwww at 'spreading my legs for her' - this is a smear test, not a 70s porn flick!

Anyhow besides that, YANBU.

YANBU of course.

Of course YANBU. Your vagina, your choice. What's it got to do with your mum?

I was in a very similar situation a few years ago. Raised it with my surgery and a female GP did it instead of the nurse.

I see the GP for this as the practice nurse couldn't find my cervix ??!

No one seemed to mind this arrangement.

If it's your first smear test and you have made the informed decision to accept the offer of screening (not because your mum said so), then I would recommend a FPC. They have more experience than a practise nurse.