The Choice Between Breastfeeding or Keeping My Nipples Pierced

Okay, so I've always been the type of person who enjoys getting pierced in new places on my body. I have my tongue pierced 5 times, my lip pierced 3 times, my left nostril once, my septum once, my navel once (previously 5), my left ear 3 times, right ear twice, have had my eyebrows pierced twice on each side, and have had each nipple pierced once. Sounds like a lot to most people, but it is something that I find greatly satisfying. Well, although it was fairly easy for me to sit through every piercing without feeling much of anything, I was slightly nervous to actually get my nipples pierced. In fact, I only agreed to do it after my mom and her friend convinced me. Yes that's right...my MOTHER and HER FRIEND convinced me. My mom even got them done after I did.

I remember sitting down a somewhat uncomfortable chair under extremely bright lights, waiting for my piercer to get all of the equipment ready. There was no way I could even allow myself to consider changing my mind after I was already in the chair. I just had to go through with it. I kept telling myself to relax, but as soon as the piercer's gloved hands put one hand one my left nipple, I kind of froze in my seat. She must have noticed the fear in my face because she made a few jokes to comfort me. She also explained the sterilization techniques in which all of her equipment had gone through, as well as opening the fresh pouch each needle was in. (Every great, professional piercer does this). Piercing my left one felt merely like a hard pinch, while the right one hurt a bit as soon as the needle came in contact with the middle part within. I remember making a somewhat quick low, guttural moan when the needle passed through. Then it was over and the pain was gone. I felt relieved that it was through and had an excited rush like I commonly get with each piercing. After they healed completely, I decided that I would never remove them, and hopefully not have to get them re-pierced.

About 2 and a half years later, I discover that I'm pregnant and of course, it becomes the happiest moment in my life. Being previously told by my doctor that it would be rather difficult to find a man who' s sperm would even be compatible enough to impregnate my body, (whole other story), you have to imagine my exhilaration. I tried to eat right, read several books on the subject, bought a whole bunch of baby products, and did several other things in hopes of preparing myself for the upcoming birth. I tried to make sure to read up on breastfeeding as much as possible, after hearing about all of the wonderful health benefits it would have for both for my baby and for me. I even read up on how piercings would effect the process. I was falsely under the impression that it would be simple to just remove them before each feeding, and then slide them back in afterward, since they were already healed. I told myself that under no circumstance would I allow anything to stop me from exclusively breastfeeding my baby. I should have known that in order to make such a bold decision, I would have to experience it first.

I was in labor for about a day and a half, with Demerol being placed in my i.v. so, I really didn't even feel many contractions. I even had an epidural right before it was time to deliver, and my son was out in only about 3 or 4 pushes. It was an absolutely amazing experience that I would most definitely do again in the future. After he was cleaned, he was given to me and I was told that I should try and feed him. I was excited to try for the first time. I removed one ring with ease, and placed him against my chest. He was a bit lazy from the medication I had received, so he didn't stay awake and eat much. I put my ring back in with no problem. A few hours later, I repeated it and he ate for about 15 minutes and fell asleep again. I still had no problem when I placed the ring back in. This process continued every few hours and then I started to feel a little pain in each nipple the longer the rings were out. I was told that this was normal and that it would hurt less the more I fed him. I assumed they were right. Therefore, I endured the pain during and after each feeding, believing that I just wasn't used to breastfeeding yet. Days passed and the pain increased to a higher degree and I actually began to cry while I was feeding him. It felt as though I was re-piercing them myself, each time. My nipples were hurting so much that I couldn't bring myself to feed him as often as I needed to. Although, I promised myself that I wouldn't do it, I turned to the formula that the hospital had given me. I felt like a hypocrite for going against my beliefs and feeding him like this, but I knew his health was important and he had to eat. After about a week of feeding him leftover pumped milk and formula, I just couldn't stop thinking about what I had previously decided. I was determined to figure out a way to start exclusively breastfeeding again. So, this is where I made my final decision----I would have to remove my rings permanently. My baby's health is way more important than nipple rings. As soon as I removed them, I put them in a little box and put them somewhere I wouldn't try to place them back in.

My son is two months now, and I have had no problems feeding him since. He is going on 11 pounds and is very healthy. I love the feeling I get when I am feeding him because of the way he looks into my eyes. It is such a great bonding experience and I am glad I chose to do what I did. Knowing that my son is getting the best nutrients he can from me will never make me regret my decision. Perhaps someday I will get them re-pierced, but then again I may not, because I plan on breastfeeding the next baby as well.