If you are nervous about giving birth for a second time or being pregnant for a second time, I understand how you feel. No pregnancy or birthing experience is the same, and you may have heard this before, but it is true! Not only was my second pregnancy different from my first pregnancy, but so was my birthing experience. 

My first pregnancy and the birthing experience were extremely smooth and easy. Yes, I said it; giving birth and being pregnant for the first time felt like a breeze. Of course, you should know I got an epidural, but you can read about my first pregnancy and birthing experience here. Although I didn’t know what to expect in my second pregnancy, I still hoped it would go as smoothly as the first.

When I found out I had “cholestasis” halfway through my second pregnancy, I worried the pregnancy would be complex. Either my birthing would be extremely painful, or I experience some traumatic scenario. Scrolling through TikTok and Instagram only added to my fear and concerns. 

Once informed I would be induced around thirty-seven weeks, social media fed me everything that could go wrong with labor induction. I was still extremely excited to have the baby because I was ready to be no longer pregnant. I felt like a whale trying to walk on land in a penguin costume. In short, I was tired of waddling, no sleep, peeing every two seconds, and feeling like I could burst.

After going through the details of what it is like to be induced our delivery date arrived.

Five things I loved about giving birth a second time:

1. I loved my doctor and team. I felt seen and heard the whole pregnancy and birth. My doctor delivered my baby, which was new. With my first son and insurance, the doctors ran on a cycle schedule. In other words, if you came into the hospital and they were on duty, and you gave birth when they worked, then you would have that doctor. However, if your baby came outside the time block your doctor worked, you would get a random doctor. 

1. Knowing a loving team surrounded me and helped me from my support system erased most of the fear of giving birth. This support system allowed me to focus on my contractions. Although I knew I could go the whole way without medicine, I had no desire to wear the badge of honor of giving birth naturally. I wanted my epidural. 

2. I was aware of labor this time because of being induced, which I liked. I loved bouncing on the medicine ball and walking around. The experience felt more community-based. My husband, his mom, and my mom all awaited me to become ten centimeters dilated. Everything went smoothly, and I was four centimeters taking the contractions like a pro. It was no surprise to me or my doctor because I didn’t get an epidural for my first son until about seven to eight centimeters. I only got it because it was very uncomfortable when they checked my cervix, which scared me. The contractions did not hurt with my first son, which almost tricked me into going natural the whole way.

1. As time passed, my contractions intensified and started happening more; I could still talk and bare them. I told my doctor I could still go grocery shopping if needed, but I did not change in centimeters. It scared me because I knew my body was telling me the baby was coming, and I wanted to make sure The epidural was there for when I pushed, so I opted to get the epidural, and a few hours later, my son arrived. If I didn’t get the epidural at that moment, I might have missed my chance.

Giving Birth

3. My epidural worked well! I honestly didn’t know my epidural didn’t work well the first time because it was my first baby. However, Having something to compare it to, I realized I had a perfect epidural this time. It was so good that I could not lift my legs or even when it was time to push. Because of this, my doctor and nurse told me when to push. Although I couldn’t feel anything, I based if I was doing well on the responses of everyone in the room.

4. I was able to be in the moment. Between my epidural working and the experience I had with my first baby, I could be in the moment. It wasn’t two or six in the morning, so I was more alert. I witnessed my mom holding my leg up while my husband was cheesing with his goofy smile. My mother-in-law was cheering me on as I dropped the most significant load.

5. In seven minutes of pushing, my son arrived and was placed directly on my belly. It all happened so fast that I was scared when my doctor put him on my stomach. I thought she was throwing an alien at me. But he was so beautiful and arrived with thirty minutes left of the day to spare!