have plucked up courage and finally booked a smear. gulp. help.

[DisasterArea]

shockingly haven't had one for about 9 years. i know. i know. am a wuss. hate hate hate the thought.
appt is next monday and i will be shamelessly begging for help and encouragement until then.
now. should i trim the enormous bush ladygarden? is in winter neglect at the mo.

If it will make you feel better have a trim
Don't worry for the nurses sake - they'll have seen it all!

I had a smear recently - been put off for years due to pgs. Was over before i knew it! Much better than how i remembered previous ones.

a) the nurse says she does them all so gets lots of practice
b) they use different equipment now which is better apparently.

I didn't feel it, bled only a little bit (always have done but more usually than this time) and it was over in seconds.

(and result was all clear, yey!)

Ask for a double appointment so that you will have plenty of time to go at your own pace. Tell the nurse that you have these fears. Take lavender oil to smell during it as it will relax you.

I managed a smear despite developing a massive phobia of them. Honestly, if I can do it anyone can, I was really really scared!

Best of luck, well done for making the appointment. Remember it WILL be fine!

this thread will help -and good luck - well done for booking !

It's so much less hideous than it used to be!

The THING is now plastic, rather than the scary metal torture device, and is MUCH less painful.

I was like you, and had put it off for about 5 years, but my GP caught me unawares during the summer, and did it then and there while I was seeing her to get my pill.

It's very quick, and if you tell the nurse you are nervous, she will be lovely.

I only had my first one at 29 last week (v v bad of me I know). For some reason I had blown it all up in my head to be something hideous but decided to bite the bullet, thinking if I can have a kid, I can go through with that.

It wasn't that bad. A bit sore but I had myself all tense and worked up. Was over in a matter of seconds. I think next time I would maybe take a paracetamol or something before it.

And yes, I was a bit tidier than normal but only cos I'd gone swimming the day before.

Good luck

don't talk to me about nurses being nice.i am one. it's all lies you know.

The plastic thing is MUCH better, really it is. Someone was dreading theirs on here earlier and they said it was fine and had a big hot chocolate afterwards.

Try Rescue Remedy beforehand? a double dose?

Or if you want to get serious, a g&t?
(i'm not kidding, a drink might relax you and keep the muscles relaxed)

I am the worst person ever when I have smears, even the word makes me shudder. I have to have them every year as had a few problems some years back.

My coping technique is to put fingers in my ears and "la la" loudly. (really helps!)

Also those relaxation cds help to. I listen to them every day the week before, to get me in the Zone!

Its so odd as I gave birth with gas and air and hardly a whimper. Its not the pain, its a phobia thing I guess.

The best thing is that they really are much, much better now. Soft brush and plastic speculam thingy.

I agree, it is much quicker these days.

I had one a couple of years ago and it took literally a minute or less.

Do deep breathing.

Please go, I don't know anyone who likes them but they are so important.
And trim - I would!

Do go - i hate hate hate them - would seriously rather do anything than have a smear but i still go.

I find a bit of deep breathing helps though.

Good luck.

Also chat about any old crap with the nurse!

I'm scared stiff too - i posted the whole sorry saga on Mumsnet and was given some sterling advice - get something from the doctor next time and insist they take you seriously; definitely my first move when i next get called!