First smear today 😰 - what to expect?

[FretfulFanjo]

Hi, I've got my first ever CS appointment this afternoon and am a bit after hearing some horror stories!

I'm 24 and have had 2 babies, so I'm not really sure what I'm worrying about but what should I expect? What happens? Does it hurt? Do you bleed afterwards? What happens if you get a bad result? Haven't had much info about it at all, just a letter through telling me to book in.

Nurse checks your details

Pulls curtain so you can take of trousers and pants

You hop onto bed - sometimes they'll leave a sheet or paper roll for you to cover your front nakedness with

Nurse will reappear and show you equipment and ask if your allergic to latex

Ankles together knees apart and let legs go floppy

Nurse puts the speculum in and brushes the cervix to get the cells. It takes a few seconds normally and I've never had one hurt although it feels strange

Nurse will leave you to wipe away lube and get dressed.

It's all over for three years and you can treat yourself to something for being brave

I've never bled after but some do. You get results within 4-6 weeks but that might depend on your area.

You could take 2 paracetamol (or your regular 'headache' tablet) before you go. That will take the edge off any discomfort. Mine are usually painless, just a little cold with the gel. Yes you might feel awkward but the nurses are doing about 20+ of these per day, they really have seen it all before. Takes less than 3 mins. I've spotted a very small bit for a day after. If you are nervous, do your Times Tables in your head...(the difficult ones, you know 9's & 7's or 13's if you're 'brainy') You'll barely get one set done before it'll be over.

How did it go?

Yes fine thanks! Not as bad or as long as I expected, definitely no time for times tables. Glad that's it for 3 years (hopefully)!