Scared about cervical check

OK sorry if this is a dumb/naive question - starting in 2 weeks my dr. is going to start doing cervical checks. I have heard from friends that these are uncomfortable or even hurt (one friend mentioned that when she went into labor every other doctor or nurse was just sticking their hand up there and it was pretty painful).

I guess my question is, what really happens? And does it hurt? I am pretty squeamish about pap smears even, don't like it and just want them to get in and out quickly. I typically have some discomfort/cramping while they are scraping the cells or whatever. Does it feel like that? Or do they just stick their hand up there and feel for a second and it's not so bad...

TIA!

 

Its different for every woman. For me they were never uncomfortable. Try to relax , its just what has to happen to get your update

 

They didn't hurt for me either. They weren't fun, but they didn't hurt. My OB used a finger to check for dilation, there were never instruments used.

I will agree with your friend that they aren't fun when you're in the hospital and people are checking your who-ha every 1/2 hour or so.

 

I think part of how uncomfortable it is depends on how high your cervix is. Mine was always high and so it was pretty uncomfortable for them to check for dilation. At least it's pretty quick though. Once they find the cervix they can tell right away and then you're done.

 

QUOTE(MichelleL @ Jun 26 2009, 04:20 PM) [snapback]1370325[/snapback]
They didn't hurt for me either. They weren't fun, but they didn't hurt. My OB used a finger to check for dilation, there were never instruments used.


Same here. :good: I know that the first time I had it done I was VERY nervous and that one was the most uncomfortable one for me. After that, I was more relaxed and it wasn't bad at all. I hope it's not for you either. :hug:

 

finger exams are very painful for me, when they use the ultrasound instrument it is far less painful for me....but i don't like pap smears so go figure.

 

For me they didnt hurt either. The only time it got uncomfortable for me with me son, was when I went into labour. My OB uses fingers as well.

 

I've never found that they hurt, but they can get uncomfortable towards the end of an unmedicated labour since they need to feel all the way around the cervix to determine dilation. the more relaxed about it you are, the easier it will be.

 

I had my first one on Wednesday...and Im not gonna lie...it hurt...pretty bad. I think it can just be different for everyone.

 

I found that it hurt. I didn't go into labor, so I didn't have them then -- just a couple around 20-26 weeks of pregnancy. Pap smears normally don't bother me (I'm not crazy about them, but not a huge deal) and vaginal ultrasounds didn't bother me at all, but in the later stages of pregnancy it was painful for me to have something stuck up there. (Yes, I mean anything. )

 

QUOTE(Durangomom @ Jun 26 2009, 04:23 PM) [snapback]1370327[/snapback]
I think part of how uncomfortable it is depends on how high your cervix is. Mine was always high and so it was pretty uncomfortable for them to check for dilation. At least it's pretty quick though. Once they find the cervix they can tell right away and then you're done.

same here. i found it depends on the skill of a nurse. i had a young inexperienced nurse the first time and it hurt like hell. the next time i needed to be checked i almost cried at the idea, but i had a much more experienced nurse and it didn't hurt at all, it was just uncomfortable.

 

I think it really does depend on who's doing the exam (as far as the "finger method" lol). I've had a few nurses that just like shoved their finger up there with no regard to me! And I've had others that it just felt like a little bit of pressure. I prefer the trans vaginal ultrasound way, but they hardly ever do that for me.

 

Guess it does depend on your pain threshold. Mine hurt HORRIBLY!

 

QUOTE(Durangomom @ Jun 26 2009, 04:23 PM) [snapback]1370327[/snapback]
I think part of how uncomfortable it is depends on how high your cervix is. Mine was always high and so it was pretty uncomfortable for them to check for dilation. At least it's pretty quick though. Once they find the cervix they can tell right away and then you're done.



Me too. It was not fun, but bearable.

 

Mine hurt. Not terribly, but it was certainly most uncomfortable.

 

I agree with pp that said it depends on how high your cervix is... how far they have to reach it. With my ds, being checked came with a certain level of pain - it didn't matter who did it... doctor prior to labor or nurse when I was in labor. Luckily, pain goes away as soon as they are done. I'm supposed to start getting checked at my 31-week visit and am not looking forward to it.

 

When my Ob did them there was more pressure than pain but when the nurse did them during labor I felt some pain. To me it wasn't as bad during Dr.'s visits vs. when I was in active labor. Things were already sore down there during labor so poking about didn't help. I can't say it felt like a pap b/c I do get some pain with paps (high cervix). To me its as uncomfy as a vaginal ultrasound. Either way it is very fast about 30-40 sec (anyone digging around longer needs to be told to stop) and once it is over you usually feel fine. Try to relax b/c that seems to make it go easier.