To be worried about my smear test in the morning?

[Fattygettingthin]

I'm going. Not going to cancel it's my first one, do they hurt? I've heard some horror stories!

Anyway I'm shitting it, I'm about 3 years overdue due to living abroad and just completely forgetting, have been resident in the uk now for 1 year and I've got a letter asking me to come in for one. I'm so nervous but will it hurt?

I've had one every year since I was 18. I don't think they hurt. There's pressure from the speculum, but the actual smear is like a little toothbrush thing the rub up around your cervix. It really only takes a second.

Oh, and I know you're nervous, and that's natural, but it will go better if you can relax.

It's uncomfortable. But worth it. Very much so. Don't worry. The nurses are always lovely too.

I always treat myself to a pedicure before, since my feet will be up in the doctor's face in the stirrups, then a nice lunch afterward.

You don't always have feet in stirrups either. It's hard but try to relax as much as you can. Tell the nurse it's your first and you are nervous (ie don't expect them just to "know")
They will have done/seen lots before. Lots of calm breaths and no clenching!

You know it's something you have to do - you will deserve a treat once it's over

Honestly I've never had any pain and never worry myself about smears. It's one of the easiest tests I think. Just lie back and all be done with in a few mins.

Extremely unlikely to be any stirrups involved!

And it's more slightly uncomfortable than painful. But, if you are worried about pain, take paracetamol and ibuprofen 30 min before the appointment. Try to relax, it's brief, honestly.

Stirrups??? And how are your feet in the doctors face? You put your knees together, and then flop them apart. It takes less than one minute. You'll be surprised how easy it is. Don't worry!

You're always in stirrups here. It's makes the cervix more accessible. See your feet go there, and the doctor goes between them. Feet, in his face.

Please don't worry. It is over really quickly, doesn't hurt and the person doing it will pit you at ease. It is so worth it for peace of mind.

Stirrups is fake news it seriously is. And it's all over in a couple of minutes. The more you relax the better
steff13 you are really not being helpful. I cannot write what I really want to. I shall precis it. Fuck off twat

Never heard of stirrups being used. I've only ever seen that on American tv programmes. You have just reminded me I keep putting off booking mine. It's a bit uncomfortable but nothing to worry about

It’s uncomfortable but it doesn’t hurt and usually takes less than a minute. Try to take deep breaths and focus on relaxing your bum as much as you can and letting it sink down onto the couch - the more relaxed you are the less uncomfortable it is.

It really doesn't hurt. Tell them it's your first time and you're feeling nervous. They will probably give you a cloth to cover yourself with but wearing a long top can help you feel more covered.

Ask them to go slowly if you're anxious and try to breathe and relax your pelvic floor as it goes in, you can also say stop if it's hurting or you're nervous. But they aren't making any breaks in the skin so it's only muscles. If they went too fast and you were tensed it might be
uncomfortable.
In the UK I've only ever lain on a bed to do it, no stirrups. I've used the stirrup chair things abroad and that's fine too though the UK way is less intimidating!

Do tell them you are really nervous and I’m sure they will put you at ease, and be extra kind and gentle. Not that they wouldn’t be gentle otherwise mind!!

In the interests of honesty I will say that every woman is different, and every smear is probably different. My first one did hurt. Not lots, it was bearable, but it did hurt. Missed the next one as I was silly and put off by the first one. Really regret this as it was kind of always on my mind. Had the second one a few months ago, and it didn’t hurt at all. This time was a metal speculum rather than plastic (it was plastic the first time). the nurse heard my sharp intake of breath when I saw it - just looks a bit more intimidating I suppose! And she confided that as a patient she prefers the metal ones. She warmed it up first as well! It didn’t hurt one bit. Uncomfy, sure, and I know with me it’s mostly psychological so I have to give myself a lot of internal pep talking, but it is all over in a minute.

Good luck OP. I hope I haven’t put you off. What I am saying is for some women it hurts, for some it doesn’t. Even the same woman can have an ouchy one then an absolutely painless one. I just wish someone had said that to be before my first one, I thought I was strange and a wuss because it hurt me.

So so worth it, you’re doing the right thing! Treat yourself afterwards!

Good advice about a long top, but a maxi skirt is even better, you can just pull it up over your thighs. I always do this. I used to dread it too, but they don't bother me at all now. You'll be fine!

It does hurt me, so don’t panic if it does...but even then, it’s over in seconds!

I put my most recent one off for five years and then when I eventually forced myself to go I cried throughout the procedure .
The nurse was great. V reassuring. The thought of it is much worse than the reality.

I was so nervous for the first one and afterwards just thought "is that it?" I felt silly for having worried. It really doesn't hurt, just chat to the nurse to take your mind off it, but it lasts literally, seconds.

Not sure what the aggression is about over stirrups? My GP has them. It's fine, no different to lying down.

Good luck op. I put off having my first one for ages too, until a friend was diagnosed with cervical cancer at 28. Luckily very early and she’s fully recovered, but it made me realise the importance of going. My first one was slightly uncomfortable but fine. My second one I had to postpone as I was pregnant. Had it about 4 months after DS was born and after a forceps delivery where every man and his dog in the hospital had looked at my bits I found I wasn’t even nervous

Feet to bottom and let your legs flip to the sides. Tell them it’s your first and you’re nervous and they’ll talk you through it. No one likes it, everyone’s pain threshold is different. I have sometimes found them pinchy when they’re trying to get the right angle, my cervix like to hide! Just slow deep breaths throughout and it’ll be over before you know it. Good luck x

Flop... sounds like you’re doing an act!

Honestly it's fine! I was shaking so much in the build up to mine but it's quick and once it's over you will be wondering what you ever worried about!

I would much rather have a smear than go to the dentist or have an injection :)