8 lb 2oz http://m.imgur.com/gVna1Em

Great latching already! And loves the ring sling http://m.imgur.com/6UuSOmX

So to start, my first birth was my dream, ideal birth. No meds, no hospital, very manageable, low risk.

I wanted a repeat experience. It was not to be.

Starting in September I developed a clot in my right calf as well as three pulmonary embolisms. I got to stay with my midwife/OB team but was also seen by the high risk MFMs and a hematologist to monitor my clotting. I was put on blood thinners as well.

Thankfully, that was the only major complication. My doctors tried very hard to diagnose me with GD (I'm obese) but I passed. I barely gained weight (in fact I ended lighter than I started) and my blood pressure was perfect.

The only other hiccup? I needed an induction. Second kid was far too comfy. I very begrudgingly showed up for my induction at 41 1. I had a favorable Bishop score since I was already dilated and effaced.

They started a slow drip of pitocin at 8am and my contractions started not long after. When membrane rupture was being thrown around I called in my doula. I really didn't want my water artificially ruptured, but decided that having my water broken would likely mean the pitocin wouldn't be increased anymore. I consented. 12:25pm.

Contractions were regular but manageable. As soon as my water broke, they got awful. My doula was worth her weight in gold. Husband was good too, but having an extra support who knew good ways to manage rough labor was invaluable.

I labored in several positions. Hands and knees, on the ball, standing, on the toilet. It was already way worse than I remembered transition from my first.

When I started vomiting I was in disbelief that I might already be in transition. Vomiting was actually a welcome distraction from pit contractions.

I was getting tired and tried being on my side to relax my body but it was seriously feeling like I never got a rest between contractions. I'd peak, then it'd just be painful cramping until the next peak. However pushing into the contractions felt good. I did a lot of low moaning.

My midwife checked me and I was an 8/9. That was encouraging. I was ready to beg for pain relief but knowing I was close helped. I switched sides I was laying on for a few more contractions. The desire to push got very strong.

In a surge of energy I hopped onto my hands and knees on the bed. I really wanted to push. I could feel either baby or a poop moving down. I did say "I'm pooping!". Several people corrected me with a " no, that's baby."

I had my eyes closed but my doula was telling me that they were getting ready, the warmer and all the supplies were ready. My midwife had me in an ass up child's pose and reached in to stretch my last lip of cervix out of the way and I think I sounded like a feral animal.

But oh man, pushing after that... I could feel baby moving down the birth canal and pushing became automatic, like when you just can't stop vomiting.

I did ring of fire, didn't with my first. But I did try to not go fast as I pushed baby out. Hazel was born at 3:46 PM. No tears, 8lb 2.9 oz

We got 2 hours of cuddle. I took a shower and then we had my SIL bring my daughter in to meet her little sister. She was enamoured and was very upset I wasn't coming home with the baby that day.

We had a ton of visitors, which I strangely didn't mind. I sent my husband home with the big sister and spent the night with baby by myself.