Weddingbee Blog

You guys have heard me talk about waiting for marriage here and here, so I figured I’m just going to keep with the possible over-sharing and fill you in on some more super personal details of a Giraffe life.

Growing up, the Giraffe Parents (emphasis on Mama Giraffe here) were very open about sex. I’ve received the talk probably hundreds of times, from when I was younger through when I was in high school. I mean, granted, I was mortified when I was in junior high and Mama Giraffe sat me down to explain how “Even though Bill Clinton thinks oral sex is not sex, it still is.”

I did tell you I was mortified.

Anyway, moving right along, I think that largely because of the way I grew up, I’ve always been educated about safe sex.

In college, I knew that I was waiting until marriage, but seeing as ISU hands out condoms like they’re candy, I did make sure to have a couple, just in case I decided to change my mind. No, I wasn’t planning on changing my mind, but if Mr. G and I decided to make that choice, I wanted to be prepared.

This bring me to where I am now. See, I think you guys all know where this is going. As the wedding approaches, and that “waiting ’til marriage” is almost over, I had to start looking into birth control. I like babies, but now is not the time, you guys! I’m serious, “get on pill” is on my wedding to-do list.

Sure, he’s super cute, but we are not ready for baby Giraffes!

Now I realize this is super personal, and you’re probably wondering why I’m sharing it on the internet with a bunch of strangers. Well, I was seriously freaked out about getting birth control. Seriously. I was freaked out to the point that I was willing to put off sex longer because I was so scared to go to the doctor. I’m here to let you guys know that it is no big deal, and completely normal. If there’s anybody else, like me, who’s worried about this, then relax. I’m here to tell you all it’s not so bad.

I had always planned to get on the pill. Most of my friends are on it, it’s easy to use, and it doesn’t involve any scary needles. I called my gyno to make an appointment, but the problem is that their office opens after I leave for work, and closes before I get home, and they’re not open on weekends.

This is when I started to get nervous. See, it’s two months before our wedding and I have to find a new doctor and talk about my personal life with them? (Yes, I do realize the irony in how I post it on the internet for everyone, but am nervous to discuss it with a doctor I don’t know.)  I turned to some Weddingbee friends (thanks girls!) who smartly suggested Planned Parenthood (PP).

I looked up the nearest PP, which wasn’t far from my house at all, and made an appointment. Quick FYI for you, I went to a PP Express, which means they don’t do exams so keep that in mind if you’re making an appointment.

I don’t want to get political here, but there were people on the opposite end of the parking lot, near the street, holding signs that said “Planned Parenthood Kills Babies.” Don’t let this deter you. I was already super nervous and uncomfortable, and those people almost had me turn around, but they didn’t say anything to me or even really look at me when I went inside. If you do see these folks, just ignore them. Trust me, its not that bad.

It was incredibly awkward to fill out a form that asked how many male and female partners I had and what kind of sex I had with them, but it would have been rude to tell them that that was none of their business.

Anyway, I met with two very nice ladies at PP who talked to me about different types of the pill, then I got a prescription, which was filled at the front counter, and that was it. My insurance covers it too, so I only paid $10 a pack.

It was not a big deal at all. I don’t know why I had worked it up in my head to be some giant thing because it really wasn’t. I sweat so much out of nervousness, that as soon as I got home I had to change my shirt. Ridiculous.

Honestly? The most awkward part of the whole thing was the giant plastic vajayjay that was sitting next to me, so people could practice the Nuvaring. That thing was looking at me, I swear.

They say there could be some side effects to taking the pill, but to try it out for at least two months to know. I’ve been on it about two weeks now and haven’t noticed anything.

Anybody else on the pill? Are you pretty happy with it? I think I am, but we’ll have to see.

P.S. - Need to find out more about birth control? Try here.