Smear test and tights AIBU?

[Andromeida59]

This is not a wind up and I don't want the Daily Dial even fucking with this. Long time poster.

So, I have my smear test tomorrow. It's overdue because the last nurse did a really bad job (heavy bleeding for days). I hate getting really uncovered. Would I be U if I wore split crotch tights? My thinking is at least part of me would be covered and I wouldn't feel quite as bad.
AIBU? I don't know if this is just weird. Please be kind. Definitely not a bloke.

oh relaxing your jaw is definitely true. A brilliant gynaecologist told me this when I had some counselling to help me over my fear of smear tests.

If you have issues with being uncovered, pregnancy and birth are going to be interesting to say the least.

Yes I hate smear tests too. I always wear a long skirt with no tights and have a glass of wine about half an hour beforehand either at home or on the way. It helps relax me.

So an update for you.

Being nervous I rang to see if they had any cancellations. Thankfully they managed to get me in at 9.20. I went along wearing my cable tights and a long dress (I don't own long skirts). I met with the nurse and she was amazing. I told her about how scared I was and she talked me through everything. I also told her about my past experiences. She went through the different sized specula and showed me the "brush". She was fantastic and it was over so quickly. Also, they're now plastic! Who knew? (I last had my smear in 2012 and they were the horrible metal ones).

I have a slight ache now but nowhere near as bad as it had been. I felt really emotional afterwards as I'd been so very worried about it. Literally losing sleep.

After I had it done, she explained that the reason I'd probably been in pain was because it sounded like the previous nurse hadn't closed the speculum before removing it hence the bleeding and the pulling feeling .

If there is anyone on here who is hesitant and putting it off I would recommend going and getting it done. I know how scary it is (hence the thread) but you will be relieved after it's done.

Also, for all those who still think this is a wind up. Please find my redacted appointment sticker below.

How about a big long black skirt that you can toss over the nurse's head like a Victorian photographer.

Why do people keep talking about pregnancy and birth? The OP is just asking about her smear test - stop heaping all of that on too.

"A big part of their job is to look at fannies and once you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all."

Why do people keep saying things like this? It's not about the nurse, it's about how the OP feels.

OP - YANBU, but have a chat with the nurse about why you're anxious.

Well done OP

Oh OP, I know how scary it is. I have given birth to 3 babies vaginally and have had many midwives, doctors and surgeons with their hand up my vagina and the whole experience has made me feel very sensitive and scared of having more instruments stuck up there!

I have am over due a smear and after reading this thread I am going to ring up the doctors to book an appointment.

Good luck OP. Tell the nurse your concerns and remember to breath your way through it.

Long skirt or dress and boots, no tights needed. Crotchless tights is plain weird!

Well done, for some it is a nothing for others it is a horrendous procedure . I am so glad you had a positive experience and a supportive nurse.
It’s really not about how many the nurse does and it’s all in a days work. It is about how you as a patient feel about the procedure as it is your individual experience.

It might sound odd but it wasn't really about not wearing underwear etc. but just about feeling very vulnerable. I've had numerous issues over the years including getting an infection after a laparoscopy that led to a kidney infection and scarring of my right kidney, nurses arguing with me over whether I'd had children when I had to have an internal scan (I don't have children but they had the notes mixed up with someone elses), a perforated uterus and an undiagnosed slipped disc. Put this all together and you might understand why I've been worried about going for my smear. At least now I can look back on today's experience and know that it really isn't that bad.

Maybe if I have worn the tights I would have become one of the urban legends like the postage note or washing with glitter?

Thank you to all of those who have been supportive .

Before I had kids I once dressed up for 'work' because it allowed me to wear a skirt. I wasn't even working that day.
Nowadays of course I don't give two shits.

That's great news, OP. Good for you.

OP I think I you have been through a shit time and no wonder you are really worried so first of all well done for making the appointment.

It's a cold day so I would take the opportunity to wear a big jumper or tunic, a long one that you can use to cover your lower tummy when lying down and trousers and big cosy socks. I hate my feet so always make sure I'm wearing socks when I go for a smear or anything internal.

As soon as you enter the room tell her you are nervous. When in the bed ask for a bigger towel/sheet if she hands you something that would barely cover one flap. I like to almost use the sheet as a tent so when legs are flopped I can't see what she is doing at all.

If it helps have a glass of wine before hand bin your situation I certainly would . Good luck.

Oops just seen you've had it done. Good for you

I often wear stockings but I even take those off for a smear. Not that there’s any need, but it just feels right. So, yes, I think it would be odd.

Hi op, just wanted to sympathise.
I had a perforated uterus a few years ago from a procedure gone wrong. It involved a speculum, so after that I felt sick at the thought of smears. My doctor is lovely though, talks me through it and always uses the smallest speculum.

Can I ask how they thought you ended up with PID from the perforation? I was suspected of this too, but it's been hard to diagnose. And with the speculum making you bleed - was the nurse suggested she cut you or scratched you with it? Sorry feel free not to answer. It just sounds so similar to me and I've never had anyone else say they've had a perforated uterus before. I've had issues ttc since.

Anyway glad it went well in the end!!

OP congratulations on getting it done! I am really so glad that the nurse supported you.

That's really made me smile!

I am just astounded and disgusted by the number of people telling someone they shouldn't wear whatever gets them through the appointment.

There are nurses on here saying that they absolutely do not care what people wear, only that they come in and get it done.

Drowning out their voices is downright dangerous given it could put someone off going when they really need to.

Take a look at yourselves and consider whether you need to say anything at all if you can't be supportive.

you may find it interesting to know that if a patient is having a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy rather than expecting them to just be bare from the waist down they are given shorts with a slit in the back so that they are covered and still have some dignity despite the horrible procedure.

Really? I’ve been on the receiving end and participated in the procedure as a HCP and never in my days have I seen this. You aren’t really bare from the waist down as you’re in a hospital gown.

i think the tights to kinky...try a maxi skirt so you not to exposed

I'm glad it went well, OP, consider that your main job done for the day! 

They are totally mainstream and not only found in sex shops 

You're not wrong there. @JinglingHellsBells, but these ones were from LoveHoney...

Honestly, they'll get in the way!

The smear test cna make a lot of mess (blood, discharge) so would you really want that all over your clothes until you got home?

Secondly, it's just you and the nurse, you'll be fine. If you're that unsure about it all take someone with you!

Well done OP.