….

Our little girl is now two and a half weeks old and I am finally sharing my birth story before I am forgetting all the little details. 

This time around I had an epdiural and to say I have lots of regrets not getting one the first time would be the understatement of the century. 

I had a very calm, positive and conscious birth experience with Helena. The midwife that was caring for us was amazing. I was so thankful for her every minute. And because of the epidural I could rest a little (really only a little because it went so fast) before pushing her out.

The birth only took 6 hours in total which was half the time with Emilia but she also decided that she wanted to come in the middle of the night. I guess all of our children are little night owls.

So let´s have a look at the timeline. I noticed that something wasn´t right at about 18:15. I felt a gush of water coming out but wasn´t sure if it was amniotic fluid. But very soon two to three other came out and I was calling the hospital asking them what was best to do because my water didn´t brake with Emilia unitl the very end of pushing. They told me to stay calm, take a shower, eat something and come in after that so that they could have a look at me. 

I packed up the rest of my things, gave my mom some instructions cause she came over to be with Emilia, did my hair and put on some fresh clothes and then we headed straight to the hospital (I had showered in the afternoon and we just had dinner when my water started breaking). On the way to the hospital my contractions started and all the memories of my first delivery and the fear of pain came back. I have lost so much amniotic fluid at home that I thought I must be empty but there was so much more coming out during the drive and after.

We arrived at the hospital at 19:46 and got checked in shortly after. It was a stormy night but you know what they say, storms bring the babies and I guess that is true. I was put onto the CTG at 20:08 for about an hour and then I was checked by a doctor who looked how much I was dilated, made a Covid test, an ultrasound and all the paperwork. At time point my contractions got pretty consistent and strong and I was admitted to labour and delivery.

I got settled in and changed into my hospital gown cause my dress was super wet plus I immediately told the nurse I wanted an epidural. The anesthetist came around 22:30 and it took another 3o minutes to set up everything and get the epdiural working. The process went by super quick and didn´t hurt much. I was super happy that it worked out cause my contractions were pretty painful and consistent at this point because I was dilating so quickly.

After that it was pretty chill. I layed down with my own pillow and my super soft blanket and was just happy that I could rest a little. I didn´t feel any contractions at this point only a little pressure down there. I was shaking and freezing from the epidural but the midwife said it was totally normal so I wasn´t too worried and just waited. 

At around 00:15 she came back and after a short look she said I was ready to push, we just had to wait for the doctor to help delivery the baby. 

I pushed about 5 times and she was out at 00:39 screaming immediately with a head full of dark hair I was wishing for. It was just perfect. She was checked and then given to me immediately for skin to skin and we got to enjoy her for the next two hours all by ourselves. She weighed 3460 gr and was 53 cm big (Emilia was 50 cm and 3260 gr when she was born) and looked so super tiny. She had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck twice but apparently this is very common and in most cases not dangerous. 

I also got to see the placenta and the amniotic sac this time around and it was pretty cool to have a look at an organ that´s only purpose was to grow and nourish your baby for nine months.

After that I went to our room and my husband went home. Helena and I spent our first night together and it wasn´t too bad. Totally forgot how often newborns eat and need their diapers changed.

My birth experience has been totally different this time. It was like day and night but there aren´t two births that are alike even if you have multiple children. 

We were discharged from the hospital after two days and I have never been happy to get home. I missed my Emilia pretty bad and I also wanted my own shower and bed.