Stirrups (not the horse kind)

[slemslempike]

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.

Comments

[fanofall.livejournal.com]

I think I may be the only Yank to respond so far -- I have never not had feet stirrups (I've never even seen knee stirrups), although at my very most recent examination, which also happened to be my post-surgery examination, the stirrups were there but we did not use them. Curious. My GYN is also young and pretty progressive -- I wonder if she read that article.

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

There are a couple of Americans upthread, but I think it all collapsed! Did you have a preference for stirrups/no stirrups?

[fanofall.livejournal.com]

It was so unexpected and disorienting, I couldn't begin to tell you! I've been doing this GYN thing for almost 20 years now, and so I felt weird without them, but if that happens again I will be more prepared and able to actually see which is better. *is discombobulated*