birth story number two

Dear diary…

My second daughter was born, and the story started on the 7th of January 2022.

With one week left until the baby came, I prepared the hospital bag. Having done this once before, I wasn’t going to take with me lots of things, only the necessary stuff. So I packed some vests, hats, coming home outfits, pajamas, nappies, creams, towels, pads, snacks, and I think that’s about it.

the beginning

The next day all too familiar cramps started, and I knew exactly what they meant. The first time, it was just Bryan and me, I didn’t have to worry about anything and anyone, apart from the baby and I and the pain. This time around, I have a 19 months old, a dog, a cat, Bryan, and my mother to think of.

The day passed quickly with our daily routine with Alessia, the cramps were not too bad. We put her to sleep at eleven, and I parked myself downstairs if the pain intensified. Around midnight the cramps turned into contractions, so painful… I walked around for hooooooouurs, I tried everything I knew to take my mind off it, but nothing seemed to work.

She’s almost here

At 5 am, I gave up and decided to go to the hospital. I was sure I was at least 6-7cm dilated, but after a quick exam, the midwife said I was 2 cm dilated… only 2cm, I felt so dumb, I felt like I wasted their time.

The midwife said we could stay there for a few more hours to see how I progress, and if I reach full dilatation quickly, we move to the birthing unit. 

In all honesty, the cramps were so intense, that’s how I remembered that they were towards the end with Alessia. I was confused as to why I felt that way, but the midwife reassured me that the second birth usually is quicker, and that could be why it was more intense.

At about ten, active labor began. This time my water did not break. Instead, I had a big lump of slimy discharge. I asked the midwife what that was, and she gave me an exam, I was fully dilated, it was time to move to the birthing unit.

Time to meet my second daughter

Just like the first time, we were meant to have a bathtub birth, but I didn’t reach the bathtub. The pushing had already started, I had to get in bed and be ready to meet my youngest daughter. The whole thing took about an hour, and my littlest princess was born.

Bryan went through a lot of pain this time around because I may have bitten him and held his hands, arms, and neck a bit too tough. But he was fantastic this time, too; he kept me calm and as happy as possible.