Over the last few days, AB has started to rub my back while I rub hers as I put her down for sleep. There’s nothing left to talk about!
(Psych)
She also poops on me in the shower.
Learn Period Tracking (analog style)
Lots of talk about personal health data and tracking on period apps. Most people think I’m being paranoid and if that’s you, just keep scrolling down past this bit but if you’re an avid user of one of these and uncertain of how to move forward, here are some options:
First off, if you want to use a period tracking app, this one is apparently safe in terms of privacy but not 100%. I don’t really believe anything is safe on the internet, so I’m going to offer some information on how to track your period and fertility yourself.
Also, I am not a doctor, just a woman who is the youngest of five girls, and survived sex education at an all-girls’ catholic high school.
Here we go…
Buy ovulation strips. In the pack of ovulation strips also comes pregnancy test strips, so if you buy the ovulation strips, you don’t have to buy pregnancy tests and have that tracked. Also these strips are extremely affordable in comparison to over the counter pregnancy tests.
Ovulation strips are intended for women trying to and figure out when to have sex so they can get pregnant but in the words of Missy Elliot, if you “flip it and reverse it” the information is also telling you to when NOT to have sex.
Start using your ovulation strips 5 days after the first day of your period. These apps think it’s automatically 9-11 days after you start your period, but as we know, women’s bodies aren’t robots and everyone is different. For example, I ovulate as soon as 6-7 days. This is why some people say they’ve been trying for a year, and “using an app,” and haven’t got pregnant. They haven’t been trying if their app is missing the window.
Test every day until it shows up you’re ovulating and then keep testing to mark how long you ovulate for. Do this for three cycles (three months) at least to establish any patterns. I say this because I learned I ovulate every 29 and 31 days. I guess one ovary takes her time more than the other.
Now that you know when you actually ovulate and to not have sex in that window, it’s important to remember the days leading up and leading out have increased probability. So don’t have sex that week.
While you do this, also learn about your discharge. I’m sorry if you just cringed, but get over it because our discharge is actually fucking magic. Talk about pro-life. Your discharge is extremely pro-life. And start getting used to the concept that we are magic, that our vaginas are magic, and remember we’re actually conditioned to believe otherwise by total dweebs.
Anyway, the different stages of your discharge is actually information on what stage you are in in your cycle and that with the ovulation strips, you will suddenly be like, “Wow, I know exactly what is happening in my uterus right now and all the time! I am in control (as much as I can be!)"
My most important headline in what we’re facing as women in our current healthcare system:
LEARN TO ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF. LEARN HOW TO SAY “I NEED A MOMENT.” EVERYONE DESERVES A MOMENT.
Don’t let them fool you into thinking you are not powerful. Trust your gut. You are the most powerful person in the room.
If you see a woman stop in her tracks, rub her forehead, stare out in space, or suddenly burst into tears, she’s likely remembering…
She wouldn’t have graduated college
She wouldn’t be living by herself, in her own place, making her own money with her own job
She wouldn’t be in a loving, healing relationship
She would be totally alone, ostracized and abandoned by her family
She would be broke
She would be in jail
She would be dead
… Or her friend, or sister, or mother, or cousin would be …
Or maybe she’s wondering if she can safely have that baby she and her partner shave been trying for or if it’s too risky to her health
Or maybe she’s wondering how the hell she’s going to leave before any of the above happens to her and she’s trapped and unsafe.
Our setbacks are everyone’s setbacks.
Election Anxiety To Do List: Revisited
Got a treasurer. He’s 25. He runs the Young Democrats Society in Jersey City. He’s done this before. He sets his overall time avails up front; he offers social media networking and guidance through his network of other young people; and cheers me on for getting things done. <3 <3 <3
Start hosting Community Circles to discuss local issues.
Use info from #2 to help do #3 which is write down my platforms and have it clear and set now, so I can prepare for when the newspaper calls me for the info as we get closer to election. That’s what someone told me on the phone today. Pause. I can’t believe I’m doing this.
Make a campaign budget and submit to the county ASAP.
Make appointment with Chief of Police and the Librarian. Pause. I can’t believe I’m doing this.
Create a new bank account at the little local bank down the road that looks like a dollhouse.
Figure out where the ghost is who keeps pressing the buttons on AB’s toys and making them go off out of nowhere.