I've been interested in body modification, especially piercings, for a long time but I've been reluctant to take the "piercing plunge." In June of this year I decided to get off the fence and just do it! I started with my nipples, and haven't looked back since.
At A Glance Author blackbirdz3 IAM blackbirdz3 When Three months ago Artist Tigger Hauge Studio High Priestess Piercing Location Eugene, Oregon In August I found myself debating whether or not to get a fourchette. I knew I had the right anatomy, but I was unsure if I was ready to take the plunge. Finally I recognized that I was back up on that fence so I kicked myself in gear and decided to just MAKE A DECISION. ANY DECISION WILL DO! Just take action and stop sitting on the sidelines I told myself.
Obviously I decided to go through with the piercing. Before I could change my mind, or hop back on that fence, I high tailed it down to the local piercing shop.
There are two steps in getting a piercing that are hard for me. The first, and perhaps most difficult, is walking through that front door. Don't get me wrong, the shop is a great place. It's just making the commitment to walk through that door without knowing what lies ahead gets me.
Some times the shop is wall to wall people, music going, and the vibe is intense. Other times the shop is licked back, relaxed, and you have a few moments between "Hi my name is..." and "that'll be $60. Thanks for coming by."
On this particular day it was very mellow. Not a ton of people there but from the looks of it there had been a steady amount coming in and out earlier that day. The vibe was just right.
The procedure to get a fourchette was very straight forward. As usual every step of the way was explained just before it happened. So I was comfortable being cleanup and checked for placement.
My piercer asked me if I wanted to look at her markings to see if it was were I wanted it. I told her the truth- there was no way in hell I was going to be able to see that little blue dot reflected in a mirror.
Now comes the second tough part. I really don't like being pierced. Holding still and letting someone push a thick piece of metal through my body doesn't really do it for me. On top of that it seems a little outlandish to pay a fee for this service, or so I think just before the piercing.
So when I find myself sitting in the piercing chair, assuming what ever position, and getting ready to do it all again, I have on occasion questioned my sanity or at a minimum my grasp of elementary logic...
Back to the fourchette... After clamping, which did smart a bit, I took a few deep breaths and felt a very small pinch. That was it - short and sweet. Placing my curved 10 gauge barbell in was more uncomfortable than the needle. Regardless, I didn't experience much discomfort at all.
Healing was an adventure. I washed the piercing for the first week with the recommended antimicrobial soap and soaked frequently with sea salt.
The soap led to a very healthy piercing and a not so happy me. The soap disrupted my "natural balance" according to the nice nurse practitioner at Planned Parenthood. She smiled when she told me that my reward was my first yeast infection and a bacterial infection all at the same time.
Since my fourchette felt like it was well on the way to healing (the nurse practitioner did check it out for me and pronounced it "looking good!"), and the soap was causing some unintended side effects, I decided I could skip soap for the rest of the healing period. I also felt reassured that being armed with antibiotics and an antifungal for my not-so-happy-parts would help minimize further risk of infection.
By the end of the second week I felt pretty much back to normal. I had finished my course of antibiotics and my antifungal. My fourchette was looking really good and feeling even better. I took another trip to the piercing shop to have my curved barbell shortened. After the adjustment the annoying pulling sensation I had been feeling left.
As of right now my fourchette is completely healed. The other bits are delightfully back in balance (thanks for asking). I only feel minor discomfort from my fourchette when my labia minor rings become twisted and end up putting pressure on the connecting tissue.
I still worry about whether or not it was a good idea to get this piercing. What will future boyfriends, doctors, etc think or say. When I find myself worrying I kick myself in the ass and tell myself to lighten up. As if there really was a crotch police checking up!!! Just do it! Life is an adventure. Take risks. Who cares if you screw up... no one is really looking anyway.
If I had it to do over again I would do it all, even using soap (better to risk minor discomfort than have an infected piercing).