Today is a big day for me. I’m going to duck out of work early, have my boyfriend drive me to Planned Parenthood, and get a copper IUD inserted. Because it is time, because it is the smart thing to do (while I still have some semblance of coverage, thanks to Take Charge, an amazing program that has actually saved my life), and because I talk a lot about how the silence and shame surrounding birth control is stupid and harmful to women. Basically, I’m putting my money where my cervix is. Today.
When discussing my nervousness earlier this week, one of my closest friends described getting an IUD as “joining the big girls’ club,” which is definitely how it feels. So many people I know and respect have made this very bold decision to have a fairly invasive procedure done as a measure of health and security. It’s a financially wise way to take control over your sexual health…but it’s also so isolating.
Because honestly, it’s something that most women are private and even ashamed to talk about.
But here’s the thing: Those women are in good company. Which is something I didn’t realize until I started writing about this topic. After my piece last week, I was overwhelmed with positive responses. To which I want to say:
Thank you.
Most of the time, I don’t read many internet comments because they tend to usually be hurtful and, as a self-preservation tool, I try to avoid unnecessary cruelty from strangers. But the response to last week’s piece was so positive, so full of appreciation and help and honesty and, for many of our readers, the same trepidation that I’m feeling. And that’s why I’m doing it this way.
Because if I’d seen someone else be very honest about what they were going through with this decision–instead of second-hand horror stories and rumors and misinformation from healthcare providers–I probably would have joined the club sooner.
Barring any unfortunate turns of event (like that my uterus is too small, which is a possibility because, at under five feet tall, most of my organs are small), by this time tomorrow, I’ll officially be in the club. I won’t have to worry about a pill, a patch, or month where birth control is just too expensive.
Don’t worry, I’ll keep y’all updated if anything unexpected happens. And, of course, during the procedure (which is going to be around 2:30 pm PST today), I’ll be Tweeting. Not graphically, but enough to raise awareness. It may squick out some of my followers, but honestly, women spend a lot of time worrying/thinking about our uteruses. And really, we all came from one. So I’m pretty sure a little more open discourse about the goings on of our reproductive parts isn’t going to hurt anyone.
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