slemslempike: (x: Red Flag)
slemslempike ([personal profile] slemslempike) wrote2009-01-21 11:26 am
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Stirrups (not the horse kind)

When you go for a smear test (or similar), are there stirrups?

I've usually heard Americans talking about stirrups for such incidents, while I'm under the impression that I've only heard British women refer to them for ante-natal use. When I go, I just have to do that frogs' legs thing (which is awkward if the table is against the wall on one side).

I was watching Jo Brand on Live at the Apollo, and she talked about stirrups as if they would of course be used for a smear. Have I just always had lo-tech medical care? I don't feel like I have had a particularly sheltered outlook, at least four medical professionals have investigated my nethers.

[identity profile] cangetmad.livejournal.com 2009-01-21 07:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Suspect it's for childbirth use? You do have to collect the blood so you know roughly how much the woman's lost, and then there's the placenta...

But personally, the idea of giving birth in that position gives me the heebies. Lying down was the most painful thing when I was in labour.