Advice

In my experience, a speculum is a walk in the park compared to labour. It's exactly the same as having a coil fitted or having a smear test done, if it really was that unbearable for most people then they would offer the same pain medication that they do for labour.
On the other hand, I understand exactly how you feel, I was petrified before having a speculum used for the first time but I had built myself up so much beforehand that once it was over, I thought I was an idiot for being so worried about it haha 😂
To me, it just felt a bit of an uncomfortable stretching sensation as well as some period-like cramps. Also, if at any point during the exam you feel too uncomfortable, even midway through the exam, you can tell them to stop and they will. X

A sweep is worse and if you are in discomfort they will give pain relief I personally would have done and did with my first to check my cervix after a bleed at 30+ weeks

I appreciate that it must be a scary time to have your first speculum. But they don’t usually hurt, they are uncomfortable at most.
You will need speculum examinations regularly for the rest of your life so trying to accept and normalise this will help you. You’re also going to have plenty of vaginal examinations when you reach Labour. Tell the doctor or midwife your concern and hopefully they will reassure you, explain things and take it slowly.

As long as you relax, a speculum is not painful or particularly uncomfortable. Have you ever had a smear? As Katie says, if not, it is something you will have in the future so it's a good idea to learn to normalise and be comfortable with it. I had one when I had a bleed at 8 weeks pregnant and was feeling really uncomfortable, and I barely noticed them checking.

Speculum only caused very mild discomfort for me, couldn’t be described as pain. If only labour was like that 😂

Honestly it won’t be as bad as labour! Just do what you think is right. Don’t be scared that labour will probably be painful though xx