2nd timer!
I had my second home birth on Sunday - blissfully uneventful. My first at 41 came surprisingly fast (5 hour active labor, 3 pushes) and my midwives arrived ten minutes after he was born. This time around I was 41+1, active labor about 7.5 hours, everyone in place. The first time I would say I experienced fetal ejection reflex, only a slight push like pooping during his contraction and his head was out. This time I had about 2 very painful contractions in a row. Midwife said I could push and I bore down HARD while yelling a primal scream. Followed through and head came out. Waited for another contraction to do the same with body and he kind of somersaulted out on the bed.
Last time I wanted a tub and ended up laboring in our yoga room, baby born on a yoga mat. The walk to the bedroom was awful. This time I stayed on my bed with a peanut ball (incontinence pad to protect mattress) and all I had to do was turn around to start recovery.
First time I tore and needed stitches, this time no stitches (but bad hemorrhoids, took about a day of witch hazel to subside). So much easier to stand and walk after. Other than the uterus cramping from shrinking/breastfeeding, I hardly feel like I gave birth.
Last time breastfeeding was an ordeal and I got mastitis pretty much right away- I was taking too many supplements and teas. Baby spitting up like crazy. This time I didn’t take anything and with my many hours of experience, has so far been a breeze for baby and me.
Overall - I feel like I won the birth lottery a second time. I didn’t do that much to prepare but miles circuit last few days helped him shift into the left position.