Joy to the World

My period has come!
I threw my fist into the air with a throaty "yes--yes!" as I looked into the toilet exactly a week after the due date.
I am going to try to go sans ibuprofen to really test the effects of the acupuncture thus far. My period usually gets really heavy and incredibly painful around day 3 or 4, so we'll see how that goes. I never thought my old 6 day cycle would seem like a relief, but I would welcome it back with open arms at this point. I'm sick of this 8-12 day business. Acupuncture is my last try before resorting to the Mirena. You hear that, Paraguard? You're gonna be toast if you don't wise up, buddy.

In case you're just tuning in....

I had an abortion in April. I got an IUD because I never want to have an abortion again but want to practice baby-making. My period is currently 5 days late. I'm not pregnant. Unless God is messing with me.

Take 2

5 days late. I figured it was time to get another pregnancy test. I went to the nearest Walgreens and found the tests locked up. That's pretty shitty, Walgreens. The last thing I wanted to do was go ask someone to unlock the pregnancy tests. And the very nice girl behind the photo counter just had to repeat "pregnancy test?" after I asked (that's not something that needs repeating, lady), and told me that she asked her doctor for one 'cause she was paying $25 for the appointment anyway.
But Jesus spoke through the CLEARBLUE. I like that brand, by the way. Clear, as advertised. And Not Pregnant.
So WTF is going on with my period? Can the acupuncture really be messing with it this much? It's not supposed to make it later. It's supposed to make it shorter.

I have one more test for later just in case.

The Scare

My period is two days late. I'm normally as regular as clockwork. So I took a test this morning. And I finally got the 'NOT PREGNANT' I was looking so hard for all those months ago. The heart beating through my chest was the same. The trying not to look while it's flashing but glancing every other second was the same.
I recently started acupuncture to shorten my periods and help the cramping. I don't want to rely on 800mg of ibuprofen every 6 hours. So this is my last resort before I switch to the Mirena. Which I would rather not do. But I've been so tired all the time and my acupuncturist thinks it might be because my body is putting out so much. Literally. I've been excited to find out if it's helping. But no luck as of yet. I don't even want sex, which is out of character for me. I think-- I hope it was because of the scare. I hope that tonight is different, because I hate laying next to my boyfriend and not wanting him.

About kids

I've been wondering about kids lately.
My boyfriend has made it clear that he wouldn't mind never having them, and that he'd probably have to be talked into it with his arm twisted tightly behind him.
I was sure I wanted kids with my ex. He had this dream once that he was teaching a big workshop on the property of a mansion and someone asked his where his wife was, because I usually taught this workshop. And he looked back at the porch at there I was, playing the guitar, with a big, swollen, 8 months pregnant belly. And I thought that was the best dream anyone had ever had.
I wonder if my ambitions re children have to do with what my partner wants. I always thought that if I had gotten pregnant with my ex's child, I wouldn't have been able to get rid of it. But as soon as I had this pre-baby inside me, I knew I wanted it out.
Here's the ironic thing: my current boyfriend is far more supportive than my last one and I think I love him even more deeply.
I don't know if I want a child. Maybe. My guy would make an amazing father.
I wonder what I would do if I got pregnant again. I hope I don't have to find out anytime soon.

More on that pesky IUD

I just finished my 5th period since getting the IUD. After 8 days. Better. I learned a trick when I went in for my follow-up: take 800 mg of ibuprofen every 6 hours for the first three days. It's either that, or my uterus is getting used to the thing inside it... I don't want to risk finding out which, 'cause a couple of months ago my period was holding steady at 12 days and major cramping... which is helped almost entirely by the preemptive 800 mg....

I would recommend this thing highly to anyone who doesn't want to end up in Planned Parenthood getting a pre-baby sucked out of them. Although my sis just went in for an exam and asked about it and the doctor said not to get one unless you're in a monogamous relationship because if you get an STD the IUD can greatly complicate it. So that.

I still have a bit of a baby complex. In that I really want one a lot less than I used to. We'll see how that pans out.

IUD update

I'm on day 11 of my period. Wait-- 11? Is that right? Yup. I just counted again. I think it might be almost over. And the cramps! Oh, mother, they're a bitch and a half. Not as bad as the night I got my IUD, but that's only because of the lack of frequency and duration. Even with 800 mg of ibuprofen they are temporarily crippling. I have found myself doubled over on several methods of public transportation. I really hope this gets better.

Wow. I just received a call from a friend of mine who told me that she just found out that a condom broke a week ago and asked me what she should do. It's just never-ending. Thank God for the options.