During my teenage years, I was quite rebellious, characterized by a flagrant disregard for authority. The term “wild teenager” is often used to excuse such behavior, acknowledging that adolescent brains are not fully developed. As I approach forty, I reflect on my past actions with a critical eye, especially knowing I wouldn’t tolerate similar behavior from my future children. Back then, I had a level of defiance that could rival any punk rocker.
Upon turning eighteen, my mother gifted me $80 for a new pair of shoes. Naturally, I opted for a $40 pair and stashed the remaining cash for my first piercing. It was the 90s, and many teenagers sported nose rings or eyebrow piercings, but I aimed to make a bolder statement. You might guess a nipple ring, but I took it a step further. At eighteen, I decided to pierce my genitals. In hindsight, such decisions are rarely made with long-term consequences in mind.
For the next decade, I lived with this piercing, even throughout my relationship with my future husband and the eventual transition into a more conventional lifestyle. I contemplated removing the piercing a few times, but it was a horseshoe-shaped ring that required a professional to take it out. I wasn’t keen on visiting a piercer and exposing myself to a stranger; after all, I was an adult now.
Then came pregnancy. My OB-GYN, who was well aware of my piercing, assured me it wouldn’t interfere with childbirth. After a smooth pregnancy, I was induced in the hospital. I arrived on a Thursday night, ready to get comfortable, but after two days of labor, I had only dilated three centimeters.
During a visit from my parents, chaos erupted when alarms blared, and medical staff rushed in, informing me of potential distress to my baby and the need for a C-section. As I braced for surgery, the nurses brought up my piercing. My mother, unaware of its existence, was baffled. My husband quickly ushered my parents away as I faced a dilemma. The situation had transformed from manageable to critical; jewelry is strictly prohibited during C-sections due to safety concerns regarding electrical shocks during resuscitation.
The nurses informed me they would need to cut the piercing off. I was taken aback. As preparations began, I found myself staring at a large bolt cutter intended for my vagina. My anxiety surged as I recalled my reckless teenage decision. Thankfully, after several failed attempts to sever the metal, the team decided to cover the piercing with tape, hoping for the best. Ultimately, the C-section was less painful than I had envisioned, and my baby arrived healthy and safe.
Fast forward to my next pregnancy. As I neared my due date, my new OB-GYN, a charismatic individual with a flair for humor, expressed surprise that I still hadn’t removed the piercing. Dreading another trip to a piercing studio, I attempted to negotiate, but my doctor insisted on its removal.
I found myself in a local piercing shop that had a sign warning against entry for those who were drunk, high, or even rude. Swallowing my pride, I entered and explained my predicament to a well-styled piercer. After a brief examination, she expertly removed the piercing, leaving me with a reminder of my past choices etched into the metal’s grooves.
Now, having undergone three successful C-sections resulting in three wonderful sons, I carry that piercing in my wallet as a reminder of my journey from recklessness to responsibility. While I have grown and learned from my experiences, some chapters, like my mother’s ignorance of my youthful indiscretion, remain closed.
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In summary, our past mistakes can serve as powerful lessons, and it’s essential to address them appropriately as we transition into adulthood and parenthood.
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