First of all, I am rapidly turning into a piercing addict! My count is now: 5 ear, 1 nostril, 2 nipples, 1 hood, and both outer labia, all done by either Al D. or one of his apprentices or students (except the ears). I got my hood done several months ago, and loved it, but my primary partner (and husband) kept "suggesting" labia. Since I want to do weights from them eventually, I got 12g rings, though I'm thinking I should upsize to 10g when I'm done healing.....
I discussed the question of gauge in relation to weights when I got my nipples done, and I repeated my questions when it was time for the labia. Al assured me that once I was healed, hanging weights would be absolutely ok to do, and suggested starting light and working my way up. Since that was my plan (and is what I am doing with my nipples) I think that sounded like good advice.
Back to the process. I signed up to be a "demo" model for one of Al's piercing classes. I got a phone call a couple of weeks ago saying "can you come in on Thursday at X:00?" I had to rearrange my school schedule, and work out transportation, but I did. And in I went. This was the first of my piercings/tats/bod mods (other than ears) that I didn't have at least my primary and a couple of other partners or friends with me for moral support! This made it a really different feeling experience, and I think that I would prefer in the future to have at least someone available to drive me home afterwards. I was a bit high from the endorphins, and even with a break afterwards, I had to drive to class and it was emotionally uncomfortable. But I digress.
I walked into New Millenium Piercing, and was greeted by about a half dozen "trainees" and Al. The trainees all had questions about what other piercings I'd had, and how I felt about them, and I listened to them talk about the work they had been doing on each other. Several of them had cameras, but unfortunately no one took a picture of my new piercings when we finished. I should have asked someone to!!! When it was time, I took off my pants and climbed up on the table. I listened to Al explain the process to everyone. Then it was the moment! I put my feet on his thighs, and watched the needle pierce my flesh. It was fairly intense, less painful than the nipples, and even less painful (though MUCH longer process) than the hood. (Note: my hood was pierced, and the ring part way in before I had time to FEEL the needle). I FELT this....but managed to NOT kick my beloved piercer! I asked if anyone had ever kicked him, and Al admitted that this has happened once or twice, but more often the problem is that women tend to slam their legs closed in response to pain. I'm glad I didn't do that!!! The pain was actually a lot less than I had anticipated, though I knew the second one would hurt a bit more. Then "surprise" Al looks up and says to one of the students "O.K., your turn" The guy looked sort of flustered, but then took the reins pretty well. He marked the spot, just as Al had done, and lined up the hole in the forceps to shine a light through and make sure there were no major blood vessles in the way. He had a moment of hesitiation before plunging in with the needle (and he almost had to be reminded to unwrap things before starting the process). The only troublesome moment was when he paused with the needle 3/4 of the way through my right labia. It HURT, but it was the good, endorphin kind of hurt! I did gasp, and am a bit embarassed about that, since I tend to be a little bit focused inward when there is pain. It was a little disconcerting to see the long needle sticking through my labia. When it was replaced by the ring, I was much happier. Once the rings were both in I got to look, and despite being somewhat swollen, they looked GREAT. The swelling lasted for several days. Cleaning them has been easy, just anti-bacterial soap on the rings and through the piercing twice a day, and daily sea-salt soaks. I find it easier to just run a tub of water with a bunch of salt in it, though other people tell me that a soup bowl of salt water can be held up against the lips comfortably. I don't like feeling like I have a bowl between my legs, it makes me have to pee. Now that the swelling is gone, they look even better...but between 2 labia and a clit hood, if I don't wear underwear, I jingle!!!
