D&E, Laminaria sticks hurt at 17 weeks or pregnancy?

I have to have an D&E done under the circumstances of my pregnancy. I have to have something called Laminaria sticks placed into my cervix the day before the procedure. I'm 17 weeks pregnant and I've read a lot of peoples opinions about having the sticks inserted and almost all of them have said it is very painful. Now I'm very scared and need some more opinions from people who have had it done. Possibly people who have had it done at 17 weeks. Please help :'(