I guess I should start with some introduction about my mod-history: I'm a 22-year-old student (a girl, obviously) and had my first mods at the age of four or so – my mum asked me if I wanted holes in my ears like she had herself, and warned me that it would hurt. It is one of my earliest memories and I remember being pretty enthusiastic about it until I figured out that the holes would actually be SHOT with a GUN. That had quite an impact on me being a four-year-old, but then I already sat in the chair ready to be "shot" so I felt there was no turning back. I remember that it hurt but for a little kid I seemed to have an extremely high pain tolerance (or so I was told later on) so I didn't whine about it.
At A Glance Author psychonautje Contact psychonautje@bme.anon When A week ago Artist Sandra Studio Lifestyle Location Maastricht, The Netherlands For the next ten years I didn't think about any further body modifications, but at the age of fourteen I had my second lobes and third lobes shot (third lobes both retired), and two years later I had my navel done right before the big navel-piercing-hype – I fainted afterwards, not even because of the pain but because of the idea about what just had happened. About a year ago I had my left third lobe and helix shot, more because my friend was too freaked out to get her first lobes done and I was like "OK, I'll go first then", than that I really thought about getting and wanting them.
I never really counted in the shot-ear-stuff as mods, and ever since my navel I wanted more REAL pierces. The fact that I fainted afterwards held me back though. Even though I faint every once in a while and I really don't mind the experience myself that much, the fact that my bladder is out of control when I'm out makes it pretty embarrassing in front of other people. So I had been longing for new pierces for a long time but I couldn't get myself over the fainting-stuff.
Then a vertical hood came into my mind a couple of months ago. I thought it was really sexy and beautiful, and would probably have some sexual advantages too. The thought wouldn't leave me alone and then by some twist of faith about a month ago I met two girls who both had vertical hoods. Both of them told me it had only pros and that the pain wasn't that bad even though I was not really worried about the pain. I decided it was time to get over my fainting-fear and that I should get it done, because I really wanted it badly. I started doing research on the Internet a lot, I spent like two weeks finding information and reading experiences. I wanted it to be a surprise for my boyfriend but I also wanted to figure out what he would think about it. So I told him (after sex, men think ANYTHING is fine after sex) that I thought it would be very exciting to have my hood pierced. He was kind of shocked I guess, there was a long silence, but finally he said that I was a very naughty girl and I decided that he probably liked me being naughty so there was no reason left why I shouldn't go get it.
I told a friend about my plans and asked her to come with me, telling her about my fainting-fears. She was pretty excited, agreed to come with me and to get her tongue done herself. So I made an appointment at Bodypiercing Lifestyle, which is a very experienced, reliable and clean shop which has built a very good reputation over the last 7 years. They usually don't work with appointments but I didn't like the thought of having to wander around the city for an hour in case it would be busy so I made an appointment anyway. NOW I could start working myself up. I kept saying to myself that the more I thought about fainting the more likely it was actually going to happen, but unfortunately you can't hold your thoughts.
Then, piercing-day arrived. To my own surprise I slept 9 hours that night. When I woke up I was quite nervous and I shit about 16 colors, twice. I did eat normally, which I hadn't expected to be able to do. My boyfriend didn't even notice that I was this nervous although at this point in time he knew I had a little secret and I think that he suspected me to get pierced, because he had asked questions like "do I like it too?, Is it something to feel?, Is it something naughty?". Smart me carefully planned some activities that morning so that I would have some distraction. So off I went to do something at my work, go to the dentist (I'm never nervous for the dentist), and after that it was time to drive to my friends place. We ate together, discussed some things and then it was already time to go! NOW I got really nervous.
We walked inside the shop and told them what we were coming for. We were given all the information about the procedure and aftercare. We had to sign the usual forms that we were over 18 and would not hold Lifestyle responsible if anything went wrong because of not following their aftercare instructions. We were asked who was going to go first. I would – I didn't want to back out after seeing my friend's tongue being pierced. Sandra, the piercer, went upstairs to prepare everything, and we followed.
The piercing-room was very clean and had a nice and relaxing atmosphere. I took of my pants and sat down on the bed. Sandra told me again the complete procedure. I told her about me fainting after my navel (skipping the peeing-part), but she was extremely nice and said it really didn't matter: more people had fainted or even peed (!) all over the place but it was all fine, but it would be nice if I could give her a sign. She said that I should try not to think about it – I told her I had figured that myself too, but I couldn't help it. Then she asked me whether Jimmy, another piercer who was not that experienced with female genital piercing yet, could come up and look at how it was done. I agreed and Jimmy – o boy how cute he was – came in and got a complete anatomy lesson. I am suitable for just about any genital piercing – good thing to know for later on.
Now it was time to really get started. I had to lay down with my left leg on the bed and my right leg dangling down next to it. The spot was marked and the jewelry was held in front of it and I could take a look. I thought it was a huge barbell (in length) but placement seemed to be perfect and it wouldn't stick out too much. A small tube was put under my hood, which felt kind of uncomfortable and weird. Then Sandra got out the needle (which I unfortunately couldn't see because Jimmy's head was in front of it looking at how things happened) and probably changed her gloves. She told me to breathe deep a couple of times, and when I breathed out the second time she put the needle through. It was a sharp, stinging pain, but nothing unbearable and it only lasted for about half a second. No weird leg reflexes whatsoever and no need to faint either. Again I was told to breathe deep and the jewelry was put through. That hurt too but not as much as the actual piercing. The pain disap peared quickly, all that was left was this burning sensation like I had rough sex for hours. Then finally I could admire my new piercing and I fell instantly in love with it. It looks lovely and is very subtle, the upper ball comes peeping out between my outer labia and the lower ball is hardly visible because it disappears almost completely under the hood. My friend loved it too! I was told that I was an easy one – Sandra said she gets kicked a lot. We laughed a bit about getting glow-in-the-dark-balls on – this is were the action is supposed to be, boy!. And the best thing was that I didn't even feel light-headed at all, I didn't faint! What a victory it was for myself! I simply got up, put my pants back on and we went to the other room (with a chair) so that my friend could have her tongue done.
Again we were told about the aftercare, which for any genital piercing is pretty easy: just clean it twice every day in the way you normally clean it, so that the pH of your vagina won't change: the acidity of the vagina will keep the piercing clean by itself. I was told to be a bit careful with sex the first couple of days and preferably use a condom but my body itself would tell what was possible and what not (an spanking session three days later is definitely a no-no...).
This all happened two weeks ago. I never experienced any problems so far, it burned for a couple of hours afterwards and then it sometimes hurt with sitting down or running to catch a bus the first few days, but that's it. I really love it, it looks really beautiful and it opens a world of new... ehm... options. My boyfriend was kind of indifferent about it at first but I think he likes it now. Getting this done was a true victory for me and I'm pretty sure some more pierces will follow soon – actually I already had my rook done a week ago which by the way hurt a lot more than the hood.
All in all, this was a pie(r)ce of cake and I can recommend it to anyone. Don't be in doubt any longer, the only thing I regret is not getting it done any earlier! It's definitely a nice toy!