Ok, honestly - what is worse -- having a smear done or having a coil fitted??

[electra]

I have a smear tomorrow and it's my first ever one. I've worked myself up about it a bit.

How bad is it? I've had a coil fitted which wasn't very nice because they couldn't get it in so it took a long time.

Is it easier than having a coil fitted?

Coil fitting is pretty nasty. Smear is not even half as bad. You'll be fine!

Way easier than a coil! Walk in the park! My coil fitting wasn't a huge deal, but I did have wicked cramps afterwards, and I've never had anything like that with a smear.

Walk in the park compared to coil fitting.

I cried when having coil fitted. Don't even flinch during smear.

Actually it does smart a bit.

Yes I'll second that. Coil fitting is horrendous (well was pre-child)! Smears are just a little scratch. Stretch and sweep worse than all the above!

Oh god I'd blocked out the stretch and sweep.

I had a male midwife too. It was not an enjoyable experience.

Coil - worse by a mile

Coil way worse. My eyes watered and I walked funny for a few minutes afterward feeling a bit sorry for myself!!

Smear - nothing to it compared to a coil fitting.

ooh, thanks ever so much everyone - you've made me feel much less stressed. I have a friend who assured me it was truly awful! But she hasn't had kids though. I did have a sweep once - don't remember that being too bad but I was soooooo massively pregnant I guess I was more concerned about wanting the baby out. Ok, I'll stop panicking.

I hsven't had a coil but have had two smear tests since childbirth. Barely felt a thing (they were fine before childbirth too).

Complete piece of piss compared to pregnancy and childbirth indignity, pain and proddings!

Coil excrutiating

Sweep unpleasant.

Smears - and I've had dozens, pre- and post-DC - are not at all painful if you are relaxed. Even if you are tense, they don't hurt.

Nothing to worry about OP!

Coil fitting is like you've signed yourself up to the Devil's earthly beings practising their torture methods

(sorry to anyone having one fitted. It was farking horrendous)

A smear is nothing compared to it - you;ll be fine, honestly

Fitting a coil was no problem for me at all, smears even less so, no worries don't panic

Thanks again everyone. I didn't feel a thing, actually - it was fine - much, much, much easier than having a coil fitted.

Well done you