SMEARS - I bloody hate them

[SPARKLER1]

Just been for my 3 yearly routine smear test this morning. Even after having two children by vaginal delivery, it never gets anyless embarassing or uncomfortable.

Last time I went I found it very uncomfortable and ended up bleeding slightly afterwards.
This morning it REALLY hurt and I have bled quite badly. Nurse had to give me a pad to wear home. (sorry if TMI).

I've been told that the results may come back inconclusive as the blood may cover the relevant cells taken. So I may need to go back for another. Great!

Smears are awful. It's not that I resent the spear itself and yes I would rather not have cervical cancer - but it's the way they are about it - "this won't hurt" - erm actually yes it will -and "do try to relax!" - oooooh I hate it when they say that! However I have also switched to having them done by my nice GP and it's a million times better.

Oh horrid things especially when the metal is cold. Tamba said big metal thing named a twat-jack by my DH! v true I feel, but the thought helps me smile through smears these days!

Fortunately I've always found the nurses quite pragmatic about the process, never had the "this will not hurt" lie (surely only ever spoken by men or very forgetful women?!). Last time I booked one, the receptionist even said, "ooh, poor you" - that's the kind of response I like! A shared understanding of the horror of it all. But a necessary horror, nonetheless.

when do you start having them done? i'm 21 and pg with number 2. should i have had one by now?

last time I had dd1 in her car seat on the floor by the bed
she was fascinated

I had one w/an eroded cervix that did suck.

This time, I'm not having one until 3 months post partum when I get my coil fitted.

kreamkrackers - I'm surprised that your doctor hasn't asked you to make an appointment for one.
The way I'm feeling right now is that I'm never going back again - but I know it's important.

I have never had one I am too cowardly. I get nasty letters from my GP about it but despite having had two children I can never pluck up the courage. Pathetic, isn't it?

Doesn't always hurt. I couldn't say it's a fun thing to have done, but I've never had pain or bleeding.
I would definitely speak to someone about why it hurt and how to make it easier before the next one if I'd had that experience.

Meanoldmummy .. that's just downright stupid (meant in a nice matronly sort of way) .. god forbid there is anything wrong .. do you want to risk leaving your kids before they're grown???

get your arse (and fanny) down to a doctors and have a smear

I delayed my last one because I was pregnant so went 2 years later .. it was abnormal .. showing signs of pre-cancerous cells (well cells that could change in a decade or 2 to cancer potentially) huge shock ... I had to have a minor op on my cervix and regular check-ups (6 monthly) .. but at least my I'll see my kids grow up

oh.... I know I should really. It's just, after being literally carved up like a pig at the butcher's having ds1..... you know how it is

No, You're a wuss ... and you're making excuses and putting your health in danger which as a mother you're not allowed to do

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(was that a bit too strong?)

no

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Btw, the only thing I have ever found to make having a smear 'bearable' is trying to relax .. of course the exact opposite of what you want to do in the circs. I still say this whole 'bleeding' and extreme pain thing is wrong, and indicates bad practice by the smearers.

Actually, can you imagine doing that for a living? Good god.

MOM, I know how you feel. I ignored letters for years asking me to go for a smear. Then I had my first child and thought just like Twiglett said: do I really want to leave my son an orphan because I was a bit embarrassed/scared? You have had a child so you have done the most embarrassing thing you can do: show your fanny to all and sundry. As for the pain, well, in my case there isn't any, but even if there is, it can't be worse than the pain of childbirth can it?

I had my latest one done last month and I found the nurse (and her appraiser who happened to be present) overly gentle and concerned. You won't get a butcher!

blueteddy, when I went into labour with my first baby and was just lying there exposing all to the world for the first time, in walked a midwife who recognised me as a teacher at her child's school (though I didn't actually teach her child). Talk about embarrassing!

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MOM, through my job (I work for a cancer charity) I have met a single Mum of 2 little ones who has since died of cervical cancer, she was 35 and was only diagnosed when abnormalities were found after her second birth.

Yes smears are not the most pleasant thing in the world but it is damn site less unpleasant than the surgery, chemotherapy and suffering that would be endured if abnormalities were not picked up until cancer had developed.

Sorry if that sounds harsh but more progress has been made in the diagnosis of cervical cancer than in any other and it makes me so cross that people do not take advantage of this free and fairly simple procedure.

Rant over!!

I hate them too - the nurse saying "relax" just doesn't makes me even more tense
meanoldmummy for gods sake GO and get it one done - it isn't the most pleasant experience in the world but hey you've been through childbirth! Please go, a friend of mine died of cervical cancer at 29 and left 3 kids behind - it can happen to anyone

I'm still bleeding

um sparkler

I'm not sure that is totally normal to be honest

I'd go and get it checked although it is most probably a cervical erosion or something

sounds like nurse f'cked up .. maybe??