Getting an IUD.
You're seeing the face of a woman who is on cloud nine. You wouldn't know it just by looking but this version of Ally took a pretty huge step in her life. I owe no one an explanation but I felt like sharing in case others may end up here and wanted some insight or an opinion on it. Even yesterday I got a few DMs about it.
I finally got an IUD.
✨ | While this is nothing for most people this was a monumental occasion for myself & Armand. We’ve been talking for years about whether or not children are on the radar & ultimately decided they weren't in the cards now. We love our lives the way they are. Now came the bigger issue. What birth control was best for me?
I didn't want the patch and I didn't want the pill (not even an option with my blood pressure medication). While we tried other methods we decided to give an IUD a try. When I tell you I had to work up the nerve for at least a year! I had to. Heard nothing but horror stories. After some digging, I found a gynecologist who really listened to me and my concerns and also is a wonderful human being. I was finally able to say “Yes make me an appointment please”.
I waited a month for my appointment and was quite nervous yesterday. I had to be reassured a ton and my nurse Lucy was so kind to hold my hand through it all. I will not lie. There was some pain. The equivalent of bad cramps during a period. They had to dilate my cervix more than they would usually. But with 5 Advil in me, I survived and before I knew it we were done. While I know nothing is 100% and anything could happen here being able to control the narrative in our way with the hope of having more time for just us brought me the kind of happiness I wish on anyone faced w/ decisions like this. I went with an 8-year hormonal IUD. If all goes well I'll be 44 by the time it comes out and still child-free. I felt so proud of myself. I did this alone as Armand is out of town. I asked for help which I never do and I got it. Thank you @makethecaul for all your help.
So. New chapters. Less anxiety. Less guilt. Making choices for my family albeit small but mine.
Turning 30 felt like it was supposed to come with answers.
At least, that's what I thought.
For so long, 30 seemed like this magical age where you were supposed to have everything figured out. You'd know who you were, what you wanted, who you wanted to spend your life with, what your career looked like, and probably have a beautifully decorated apartment and a retirement account while you were at it.
And then I actually turned 30.
Spoiler alert: I did not have everything figured out.
But I did have something arguably better: perspective.