No Two Births Are the Same: A Doula Supported 2nd Birth Story with Mindful Birth

"I had my first son 7.5 years ago and was only in labor for 10 hours so I figured the second time around would be fast also. No two births are the same! I labored for 25 hours this time.

My first childbirth wasn’t too painful, but my experience with the nurses and lactation specialists were mixed. I also suffered from postpartum hemorrhaging because a piece of my placenta was still inside me for a couple of months which made it hard to enjoy the first part of my Maternity Leave after giving birth. For our second pregnancy, my husband and I wanted better support for childbirth and breastfeeding. That is why we decided to go with our doula Tara.

We had heard wonderful things about her and also was recommended by a friend. It made the second time around so much better. She was an advocate for us, helped get contractions started naturally and great support for breastfeeding. I wanted to exclusively breastfeed this time. With our firstborn, I had to supplement with formula because I didn’t have the resources, knowledge and encouragement years ago. We are so happy to have had Tara on our side.

My first baby was born 2 weeks early. Our second baby decided she was ready to enter the world even earlier! I was 36 weeks. I thought I would be early, but not that early. I didn’t finish packing my hospital bag. I was sleeping and at 1:30am, I felt a gush of liquid. I thought I drank too much water and had an accident. I got up, used the bathroom and walked over to the laundry room to get ready to wash the sheets. I wasn’t sure if I had an accident or if it was my water breaking. I quickly tried to look online and then fluid kept gushing out. This definitely was not an accident. We quickly got ready to head to the hospital. Our 7 year old son was up late on a school night to watch the college football national championship (The Miami Hurricanes vs Indiana Hoosiers). We woke him 2 hours later to drive him over to my in-laws. Luckily they live close to the hospital. Our son took the day off from school due to the excitement of his baby sister arriving. My husband dropped me off at the hospital while he dropped our son off at his Granny and Poppy’s. His grandparents didn’t expect to see him there in the middle of the night since I was still 36 weeks pregnant. I checked in and headed to triage where they said I was 2cm.

I waited until sunrise to call Tara. She was surprised to hear from me since I was 36 weeks pregnant. We had our birth plan meeting scheduled for that week. We weren’t able to have it since she was born the day before.

I didn’t want to be induced or have an epidural. Especially when you are of “Advanced Maternal Age,” induction tends to get brought up more at doctors appointments and by the staff at the hospital as a possibility. Fortunately, they weren’t too pushy about it. I really wanted a natural birth. Even though I am of “Advanced Maternal Age’, my postpartum recovery has been way better at 40 than at 32.

I started to feel contractions around 5:00pm, but wasn’t sure how strong they were. That is when I decided to contact Tara. She came right away and suggested exercises and to use the birthing ball. That did help in between the contractions, but her idea of using the electric pump is what got labor started. My overnight bag wasn’t completely packed. I didn’t remember my going home outfit, but for some reason thought to myself to bring my electric pump. Contractions in the middle of the night didn’t slow down and it had been a while lasting 50-60 seconds and 1-5 minutes apart. I had back pressure and intense contractions. Our favorite nurse at NCH  (Lindsey) checked me and I was in active labor, cervix very thin, 6cm dilated 90 percent effaced and 0 station. The contractions kept picking up and it started becoming harder to talk. 

I started out leaning over the bed waiting for the doctor to arrive. Originally, I didn’t want to labor on my back, but I was so exhausted from being up at 1:30am, not sleeping and being up for more than 24 hours that it felt more comfortable to me. I could feel the urge to push and the “ring of fire." The pushing stage went fast. Once delivered, I felt a rush of relief and was happy to hold my baby immediately after birth.

Labor and Delivery was a way better experience thanks to Tara, our doula, for childbirth and breastfeeding support for our second baby. We are so thankful for our beautiful blessing."

Big thanks to Nicole for sharing her birth story with us of her sweet little arrival, Natalie.

Tara and The Mindful Birth Doulas

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