anyone else have vaginismus?

[WeaselMum]

just wondered

got to go for a smear soon as ds is now 3 months old. wondering whether a post-baby smear might be ok or whether I'm going to embarass myself by clamping my legs shut as usual

Is that how your ds got here then?

I'd wait until your baby was at least 6 months old, you'll still be a bit raw up there. Explain to the nurse that you are very anxious about it all, take a paper bag to breathe into, count up to 50 whilst she's doing it and I bet you don't even get to 50.

The thought of it is much much worse than the reality!

Me...dreadful stuff...I didn't have the post baby smear yet (9.5 months). A female doctor I once had, told me to gently push against the speculum as if you're inserting a tampon. Still hurt a bit, but she did it very slowly and gently.

I might be mistaken but I think you can ask for gas and air.

will wait another few months then!

rhubarb - ds was conceived by donor insemination - v similar procedure to a smear test so yes, sort of!

Rhubarb - given from your 3.18 post I'd say you've never suffered from Vaginismus......it all sounds so easy in practice - but I can assure you (being a 'recovering' Vaginismus sufferer that most sufferers could count to 150 and still have major problems.....if they get anywhere!

I assumed rhubarb was talking about delivery rather than conception.

bozza, i have no problems with anything coming out...just things going in! could give birth everyday!

no, it isn't easy is it QoQ - it's really hard to explain to anyone who hasn't experienced it. It's not just about being a bit uncomfy or even some pain - when it's really bad everything more or less just closes down - anyway getting into TMI territory here I fear.

WM - I was like that when I had DS2 - actually giving birth was fine (despite the fact all pain relief failed) (not the contractios - they were still bl**dy sore - but the actual delivery - with ventouse wasn't a problem). But my gawd did those internals hurt - especially from the stupid consultant who hadn't read my notes, and who didn't listen to me or DH trying to explain (thankfully MW was fine kind and sympathetic and her internals weren't too bad).

yep totally - did it without pain relief - the only time I swore/lost control during the whole process was right at the start (had to have a speculum inserted for the first examination as my waters had broken on the way to the hospital) - but later examinations and, strangely, being stitched up was fine. Think gas and air for smear tests is a great idea!

You probably know this already, but practice relaxing your jaw muscles - for some reason there is a link and a relaxed jaw relaxing the muscles which aren't under your control.
Also try chanting a word or phrase (aloud or under your breath) - helped for me.
Much sympathy - I suffered for 2 years, but it finally stopped happening.

thanks for that - I'd never heard the tip about relaxing your jaws. I will definitely try it.

i think this is awful, you ladies not going for smears, I know it is tough but I got the product called vagi-wave and it was a breeze after using it. please go and read the site vagi-wave.co.uk I would not suggest this normally but as i got one and used it and the results were astonishing i can only say get the product because your health is so important.