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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be slightly embarrassed because I know the lady who will give me a smear?

106 replies

Themasterandmargaritas · 22/09/2008 17:01

I am having a long overdue smear tomorrow. The GP who will do it is known to me, but I don't know her terribly well, as it is my dh who is very friendly with hers. To add insult to injury they are coming to dinner on Friday! Should I feel embarrassed or will she have seen it all before?

OP posts:
LaylaandSethsmum · 22/09/2008 17:26

Why is your GP doing it in the first place?

Original poster
Themasterandmargaritas · 22/09/2008 17:28

Actually she is not a GP, she is a family physician. We are not in the UK and that is how it is done here.

OP posts:
NorbertDentressangle · 22/09/2008 17:29

I went for a smear once to find that the nurse doing it was the Mum of a little boy DD had gone to nursery with a couple of years previously.

We had known each other to chat to at various birthday parties and nursery events.

It was a bit at the time

RedHead81 · 22/09/2008 17:31

well, hopefully in 2weeks time all the abnormal cells will be gone and the smears can go back to being less frequent - the worse bit about having to have them done in hospital is the bloody awful gown they make you wear (the one with your arse hanging out the back while you walk from the changing room to the consultants room - gripping the back together for dear life!) lol and whether to remove your socks? take them off and you look too keen - or leave them on and look ridiculous with your legs in stirrups and socks on !

LaylaandSethsmum · 22/09/2008 17:31

OK just assumed you were in UK , any way don't worry one jot , I have done smears on close friends and colleagues lots of times.

francagoestohollywood · 22/09/2008 17:32

I remember my first visit to my obstetrician when pg with ds. As I walked into the room, we realized we knew each other from mutual friends. I have to say I was quite embarassed.
We laughed about it, and it was fine. She is the best doctor I've ever met.

expatinscotland · 22/09/2008 17:33

i've been there, red!

had a loop electroexicision procedure for CINII/CINIII.

VERY effective and - touch wood - haven't had a reoccurence.

hope it all goes well for you. well done for having the smear and catching it early.

TheNaughtiestGirlKeepsaSecret · 22/09/2008 17:34

It's not to do with how the doctor feels though! I don't care how the doc feels tbh!!

It'd be about how I felt. From your descrip tho, |I'd stick with her rather than other alternative.

BlingLovin · 22/09/2008 17:36

Themaster, I don't think it's weird you feel uncomfortable. I refused to see a gynae once who was highly recommended ... because he was coming to my sister's wedding [worked out for the best - I saw one of his partners instead and he's turned out to be the best ever. Just sadly in another country].

But... if you have no choice, it's not like you have to worry about anything inappropriate. Just lie back and think of anything else. Probably not the time to chat about what time she should arrive for dinner.

RedHead81 · 22/09/2008 17:37

expat - i have to have the loop thing done too - they just told me it was a wire loop - with a local anaesthetic - does it hurt? I had a biopsy done about 2yrs ago, i'm presuming it will be a little like that?

Original poster
Themasterandmargaritas · 22/09/2008 17:40
OP posts:
expatinscotland · 22/09/2008 17:46

no, it doesn't hurt. the only thing that stings a bit is the local anaesthetic and then you won't feel anything.

they know you're nervous, it's okay to be!

yes, it's like a heated wire loop that sort of cheese grates the bad cells off.

i found the biopsy worse, because although my cell abnoramlities weren't deep, they were all over and they had to take several snips from. ooowww.

wishing you the best!

you'll feel such a sense of relief after it's all over.

i just wanted that stuff out of my body!

RedHead81 · 22/09/2008 17:46

lol - what if you look too keen?

RedHead81 · 22/09/2008 17:50

yes, expat me too!
the biopsy wasn't too bad - didn't like the cough bit - was too afraid to cough hard!
i just want it over with now - will be glad to see a "normal" result for change - how long after did you have to keep having frequent colposcopy appointments?

expatinscotland · 22/09/2008 18:01

i had my loop in the US. afterwards, i just had to go for smear tests rather than colpos.

i had the first 6 months after hte loop - in the US they usually also do internal exams - and then another 6 months after that.

then i went yearly for a while.

i got to watch my loop! it was cool!

Original poster
Themasterandmargaritas · 22/09/2008 18:08

Ok so I have BU, to not have really thought about the seriousness of it all.

RedHead, I might get away with it, because it's about 27 degrees here so I can just put on a pair of sandals, though I am playing tennis before hand......

OP posts:
NotQuiteCockney · 22/09/2008 18:17

Wear socks, who wants bare feet? (who the hell takes off their socks for a smear?)

RedHead81 · 22/09/2008 18:17

themasterandmargaritas - no i dont think your being unreasonable to be slightly embarrassed, lets face it, its not a pleasant experience is it? but it is serious, and it needs to be done, so kind of grin and bear it - ok, maybe don't grin! lol

expat - i watched the biopsy - it was very interesting - and dh was very intrigued!

RedHead81 · 22/09/2008 18:21

NQC - I leave mine on and risk the stupidity look! I even wear my shoes into the consultants room to avoid hospital germs! We weren't just talking normal smears, we were talking about hospital colposcopy appointments when you have to undress and gown up!

Claire236 · 22/09/2008 18:22

RedHead81 I've had the loop done too. Wasn't painful just uncomfortable. I watched mine as well & my colposcopy in spite of being told not to. Very interesting. I had to have a couple of 6 monthly smears then went back to annual as they were normal. Had my first annual last week which I'm hoping comes back normal. Annual for about a decade now though (anywhere between 7 & 10 years, keep getting told different)

RedHead81 · 22/09/2008 18:25

I don't mind how long really as long as they are keeping a check on things

DesperateTooDyson · 22/09/2008 18:27

I'd want to leave my tights on

largeginandtonic · 22/09/2008 18:28

Aw Master it will all be ok

I would have loved my friends to deliver the twins when i was training but they were a c section.

It is much nicer with people you know. She will forget all about it and wont give it a second thought.

The midwife who delivered dd ( i didnt know her at the time) turned up at a local toddler group having just had her ds less than a year later.

Was a bit odd to start with but we became good friends, just friends whom one of us had seen the others fanjo

I too had a loop excision for CIN III, was fine. Current baby (am 24 weeks) managed to survive the procedure too as i had no idea i was pregnant!

Original poster
Themasterandmargaritas · 22/09/2008 19:21

I don't think I would want you looking up my fanjo LG&T, I have to draw the line somewhere

Now, if dh and I do jigjig tonight, can she ahem tell?

OP posts:
NotQuiteCockney · 22/09/2008 19:58

If you do it tonight, and he doesn't use a condom, yes, maybe. I think if you shower well, you're fine.

RedHead81, honestly, is 'not looking stupid' an option when you're in the stirrups?