Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Midwife Says Pap Smears Should Never Hurt—And Her Helpful Tips Are Going Viral On TikTok

Midwife Says Pap Smears Should Never Hurt—And Her Helpful Tips Are Going Viral On TikTok
@prepared_pregnancy/TikTok

Despite women's healthcare being at the forefront of political conversation right now, one form of care that is not discussed enough is the Pap smear.

The Pap smear is meant to be an annual check for cervical cancer, starting at the age of 21 or when the patient becomes sexually active. It involves expanding the patient's vaginal opening with a, typically metal, speculum, followed by swabbing the cervix for cell samples.


In theory, the Pap smear should not be painful or stressful, but for many patients it's so traumatizing that they avoid going to their annual appointments.

One midwife, Pamela Boatner (@prepared_pregnancy on TikTok) wanted to increase awareness around the fact that Pap smears actually shouldn't hurt, and armed patients with ways to self-advocate at the gynecologist.

Boatner smacked the screen to get her viewers' attention and said:

"Hey sis. This is your midwife talkin'. It should not hurt to get a Pap smear."

To help patients be more comfortable at their next annual exam, Boatner encouraged them to do the following:

First, address the speculum being used.

"The first thing you need to do is ask for a smaller speculum, because 9 times out 10, they're using that big birthing speculum, and unless you have a 15-pound baby to deliver or a pelvic disorder, you probably don't need that."
"Ask for plenty of lubrication on the speculum, because we're not jamming it in there all [raw]. We don't have time for that."
"If they're using a metal speculum, please have them take 15 seconds to warm up the speculum for you, because cold down there? No, nobody wants to do that, either."

Second, make sure to be in the best position for you.

"Change your position. Change your position. Sometimes laying down on your back with your feet in those little stirrup things is not the most comfortable for you."
"Ask them if you can change your feet and put them in a different position. This might be better for you."

Third, know where your cervix is if you don't already.

"When they find your cervix, tell them to tell you exactly what position it's in. Left, right, or back."
"Then you can remember and tell them for your next Pap smear to make it easier."

You can watch the video here:

@prepared_pregnancy

It doesn't take all of that to have a comfortable pap smear. Healthcare shouldn't hurt! #papsmear #papsmears #pap #cervicalcancer #cervicalcancerawareness #midwife #blackmidwife #normalizepapsmears

In a follow-up video, Boatner showed several positions patients could try if lying on their back and putting their feet up in the stirrups was uncomfortable for them. She pointed out that each vagina is a little different, as is the exact positioning of the cervix.

Because of those positioning differences, it would stand to reason that lying in different positions would make varying cervical locations more accessible.

You can watch the second video here:

@prepared_pregnancy

Reply to @.com.org.co.edu #pap #papsmear #cervicalexam #pelvicexam #papsmears #papsmeartest #midwife #blackmidwife

TikTokers were grateful for the information Boatner provided.

@prepared_pregnancy/TikTok

@prepared_pregnancy/TikTok

@prepared_pregnancy/TikTok

@prepared_pregnancy/TikTok

@prepared_pregnancy/TikTok

@prepared_pregnancy/TikTok

Other TikTokers were shocked that these tips were even an option.

@prepared_pregnancy/TikTok

@prepared_pregnancy/TikTok

@prepared_pregnancy/TikTok

@prepared_pregnancy/TikTok

@prepared_pregnancy/TikTok

@prepared_pregnancy/TikTok

The video inspired many patients who had traumatic experiences with this particular exam to try a few of these tips at their next appointment.

We would like to suggest making this video required viewing material for all patients prior to their first exam so they don't have to learn these tips the hard way.

There's no sense in suffering if there's been a hack for easier exams all this time.

More from Trending

Jesse Watters
Fox News

Jesse Watters Dragged After Adding Another Mind-Boggling Rule For 'Real Men'

Fox News host Jesse Watters, who is apparently an authority of what it means to be a manly man, gave jazz hands to make a point about how "real men" should or shouldn't wave.

The target of his ridicule was Tim Walz, the enthusiastic Democratic Minnesota governor and vice presidential candidate who often greets the public by raising both hands in the air to wave.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots of crowd at town hall and Rep. Mike Flood
@MorePerfectUS/X; KETV NewsWatch 7

GOP Rep. Goes Viral For His Response To Crowd Chanting 'Tax The Rich' At Town Hall

Nebraska Republican Representative Mike Flood was criticized following his incredulous response to a crowd that chanted "Tax the rich!" during a town hall meeting.

The Columbus High School auditorium hosted the town hall on Tuesday evening, drawing "nearly 380" attendees, according to local network KETV Omaha. The event was lively, with Flood facing both sharp criticism over Trump administration policies and some appreciation for showing up in person.

Keep ReadingShow less
Elon Musk
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Awkward Typo In Elon Musk's Bizarre 'Education Department' Trump Meme Is A Total Self-Own

Billionaire Elon Musk was widely mocked after he celebrated President Donald Trump's executive order to begin to dismantle the Department of Education (DOE) by posting a meme of Trump at the department's grave, only for an awkward misspelling to get all the attention.

Polling indicates that eliminating the Education Department is largely unpopular, with 60% of registered voters opposing the move, according to a Quinnipiac University survey conducted March 6-10. Support stands at 33%, with opposition particularly strong among Democrats—98% oppose it, while just 1% support it.

Keep ReadingShow less
JB Pritzker; Donald Trump
Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images; Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Dem Governor Reveals Trump's Bonkers Demand In Exchange For Equipment During COVID

Illinois Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker revealed during a speech this week that he clashed with President Donald Trump during the first Trump administration after Trump promised necessary medical equipment during the COVID pandemic on the condition that Pritzker praise him publicly.

Five years ago, the United States was grappling with the initial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country had entered shutdowns that had severe economic consequences, leaving businesses and industries on the brink of collapse.

Keep ReadingShow less
Scrabble tiles spelling the word scam
Scam spelled with scrabbles on a wooden table

People Break Down How They Realized An Entire Industry Was A Total Scam

We unfortunately live in a world where scams are on the rise.

Thankfully, some of them are pretty easy to detect, such as an automated call from the IRS telling you a warrant is out for your arrest, or an email claiming to be from Amazon or the USPS asking for your credit card information, only to look closer and see the email address is a yahoo account.

Keep ReadingShow less