About four years ago, I decided I wanted to pierce either my inner or outer labia. Being that I was only about 14 or 15 years old at the time, I obviously didn't run out and do that, however, the thought stayed with me, nagging at me. I began giving it even more serious thought to an inner labia piercing in the last year. I semi-thought I should wait a few years until I'd gone through pregnancy and childbirth so I wouldn't have to take it out for that but decided to just go for it anyway.
At A Glance Author Crystal Contact Crystal@bme.anon When A week ago Artist Jody Studio Anatomic Adornments Location Granville Street, Vancouver, BC I spoke with Jody from Anatomic Adornments as I've known her for several years now and have been pierced by her before and knew she'd be the right person to do such an intimate piercing on me.
The morning of my piercing, I went into the city with my friend, Kate who was also going to be pierced by Jody. Firstly, I went to the gynecologist to make sure there wasn't anything going on that may impede the healing of such a piercing or any reason he thought I ought not do it. I was suprised that he was very supportive and we discussed the placement of the piercing as well as other piercings he'd seen over the years. It's always nice to meet a health care professional who is not opposed to body modification.
After the gynecologist we made our way to Anatomic Adornments to drop off my CBR for autoclaving. Jody told us she'd be ready for us anytime after one. We left the shop and wandered around Granville for a bit trying to waste some time and mentally preparing for "the big moment". After some coffee, a small snack and an ativan each, we were ready to go. I'm not usually much of a wuss when it comes to piercings (only tattoos..) but this is my vulva we're talking about and I was a bit nervous, I admit.
We arrived at Anatomic at about 1:30pm. We said hi to Jody and Teagan and filled out the necessary forms and waited while Jody prepared the piercing room. A few minutes later we were called in to the room to hear about aftercare. Due to the fact that Kate and I have both successfully healed all of our other piercings she didn't make us hear the entire aftercare lecture which was nice because I think I know it almost word for word now. :)
I was to go first. Jody told me to take off my pants and underwear and hop up on the piercing chair. I felt a bit awkward that she was going to be there while I undressed (because somehow it's a lot more uncomfortable to undress in front of someone than it is to have them see your crotch), however, I think she's aware of that concept because she turned around and busied herself opening autoclave packages while I quickly removed my pants and got up on the chair. Jody asked me to lie down with my feet together and my knees dropped to the sides. I was fairly calm because of the ativan but my legs were like jelly and kept shaking. She told me to breathe in on one and out on two and that then I would feel the needle go through. On one I felt the needle against my flesh. On two I let out a long breath and felt a bit of a pinch. I'm happy to announce that it barely hurt at all and all I could think during the piercing procedure was, "Oh, that's rather sharp!" I sat up and hopped of f the table and couldn't even feel my new piercing at all. I replaced my clothes and went out to the waiting room to talk to Teagan and wait for Kate to get pierced. I still couldn't even feel the piercing.
After Kate was done and we'd said our goodbyes, I left for several hours of shopping and walking about. Fortunately it continued that I could not even tell I'd just had my inner labia pierced, otherwise I'm sure it wouldn't have been a very nice shopping trip. Even when I managed to slip and fall down the stairs in the mall I didn't feel any sort of pain. I was expecting it to burn when I went to the washroom and was dreading doing so but when I did, it didn't do anything of the sort. In fact, the only discomfort I've had is after peeing when I have to wipe. I'm learning to sort of dab around it but it is a bit of a pain to do so and every so often I whack it and it smarts a bit. But all in all, I'm pain free.
I've been caring for it by cleaning it twice a day with glycerin soap and water and by having a sea salt bath at least once a day. It's probably been my easiest piercing to care for so far, I just keep it clean and my body does the rest.