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

[lsugaralmond.livejournal.com]

I've never had stirrups either - just the frog pose. I wouldn't mind stirrups though, since I find holding the frog pose for any length of time to be quite hard work.

[slemslempike.livejournal.com]

Now I need people who have used the stirrups to come and tell us if it is more comfortable. It seems like it might be uncomfortable in a different way, but less strain on the inner thighs.

[anglaisepaon.livejournal.com]

I don't know if it's more comfortable, because I've never had anything but stirrups during an exam, but in general, I have no problem with them. It's a very relaxed pose, so I imagine it makes things more comfortable during a process that can be anything but.

[zoje-george.livejournal.com]

I've never found the stirrups comfortable.