To ask how you prepare for a SMEAR?

[CafeMochaVodkaValiumLate]

I've only ever had one and it wasn't long after I'd given birth so I think I was beyond caring.

Do you trim? Take paracetamol? Wear a dress?

I'm overthinking this I know...but, pls amuse me.

Literally nothing. Last time I went for travel jabs and whilst I was there the nurse noticed I was overdue and just did it.

It was actually great as I didn’t have chance to build it up in my head.

Make sure I'm clean and tidy as I always am, so nothing specifically for the smear.

@Palavah

Amuse me

?

Think she means 'humour me'.

I agree with PPs, dress or skirt makes me feel more comfy.

*Rillington

Shower. Sometimes wear a long skirt as it's easier to pull it up as you don't get a modesty blanket any more.*

I was given a length of the paper towelling they use on the couch as a modesty blanket when I had a smear test a few weeks ago.

I don't do anything. I already wash properly and it makes no difference to me whether I wear a dress or trousers as I just take the trousers off.

I take a couple of painkillers before hand, but I have an awkward cervix that usually requires some serious trout guddling manoeuvres to get it to co-operate so I'm used to it taking a bit longer than most.

Due to above, I make sure I have a clean panty liner ready to pop on as I usually have a little spotting after.

If you have a standard cervix, you won't need anything except to be clean and in comfortable clothes.

Shower and wear a long skirt/long dress so I can pull it up. I didnt get a modesty cover either so I was glad to have my skirt.

Am I the only one who over thinks where they place their knickers when they take them off? 😂

Had mine last Friday - I was irrationally nervous, never really was before but I was shaking for some reason this time.
Do not do what I did and sit in the bath trying to calm down for nearly an hour before - then expel half the bath water when I lay down on her couch..........
Took me the weekend to stop wanting to leave the country. So I recommend a shower.
TBF she was lovely about it but I was mortified.

I agree just take a shower as close as possible to the time.

And maybe half decent knickers’

@Rillington

Shower. Sometimes wear a long skirt as it's easier to pull it up as you don't get a modesty blanket any more.

This is awful, and they wonder why there is a reluctance from women to attend smears. The modesty blanket makes a massive difference to me. If this is covid related surely they could provide paper sheets or even advise the patient to bring there own if they require one.

Agree that they see vulvas all the time and won't care
Unusually they also see vaginas all the time lol!

It's nice and arguably more polite to be clean but otherwise no special prep needed

I tend to wear a dress or top long enough to cover me with no bottoms on, and make sure I've had a wash.

Trout guddling ??

I got one sheet of blue paper at my last smear. I didn't cover anything. Then another nurse barged in the room. I think I will take a towel or something with me next time.

I give the foof a little wash and that’s it

@Lullabymummy17

Shower and wear a long skirt/long dress so I can pull it up. I didnt get a modesty cover either so I was glad to have my skirt.

Am I the only one who over thinks where they place their knickers when they take them off? 😂

Haha - no! I always put mine into my trouser pocket on the chair so they're not just 'there'! I know thats crazy!

Have a shower and make sure my underwear doesn't have any holes in it.

Yeah, long top or dress makes things easier.

No-one is going to regale us with the urban myth of the glittery fanjo?

Wear something which doesn't take ages to get in and out of. I've made that mistake before! It doesn't have to be a skirt if you don't wear skirts, but avoid something with millions of buttons.

I still had a modesty towel at my last appointment. I've had gynae problems so I've had several appointments since Covid. No change in the covering offered around here.

As above plus a wee beforehand.

I have a bath ! Don’t want to be smell

I wear a hospital gown for mine, is this not usual? So no need to wear a dress, and surely you have to take your knickers off, so it doesn't matter if they have holes...

My gynae recommended bumping up my vaginal oestrogen cream in the week before so there's no risk of dryness (I'm in a medical menopause due to endometriosis).

@Lullabymummy17

Shower and wear a long skirt/long dress so I can pull it up. I didnt get a modesty cover either so I was glad to have my skirt.

Am I the only one who over thinks where they place their knickers when they take them off? 😂

No, where do you put them, especially if you’ve just hitched up your skirt and so there’s no other clothing to put them with? Putting them on the chair is wrong hygiene wise as does putting them on/in your handbag! Clutching them throughout doesn’t feel right either!

Had one recently. I trimmed and showered just before. She gave me a cover made of disposable loo roll type material

I just make sure I’m clean and that I request a smaller speculum despite already given birth twice as normal size are too big for me