We were blessed to meet our little guy Tanner three days ago! I couldn’t ask for a better delivery with him and I think the lord was looking out for me after the experience I had with our first - summary of the differences between the two below and then a fuller detailed account of our delivery this time. All I can say is the epidural and having no pain (vs natural with no pain meds and hard contractions) and having competent nurses makes a HUGE difference!

Summary of 1st delivery:

1st child 5 1/2 hour labor - contractions hard and painful from start to finish, throwing up and in pain on way to hospital.

Checked into hospital 4:30am, dilated to a 4.

Water broke before DR could break it (loud and huge burst - my husband thought it was the baby 😂)

Was told I wouldn’t get the epidural as I was at a 9 (I had asked for it for over 1 1/2 hours)

Baby came at 7:05am - my DR missed it by 5 minutes

Had the Sunday night crew and shift change - chaotic with young nurses that barely spoke to me

My husband also stressed with work calls about an employee who had just committed suicide

After delivery I was depressed and just wanted to cry 😭

Summary of 2nd:

4 1/2 hour delivery

Water broke with no contractions

When contractions started they were uncomfortable but not painful

Dilated to a 3 when I checked in

Got the epidural 👍

Nurses were on top of things and very confident in their job

DR made it just in time for delivery

2 pushes during 1 contraction and he was here

I was so calm and full of smiles when he arrived - no depression at all!

2nd delivery details:

I woke up at 7:45am, rushing for the bathroom as I was not sure if I was peeing my pants or if my water broke! Turns out it was my water! We took a half hour to get ready and gather up our stuff and headed to the hospital. I was chatty and excited the whole way as contractions hadn’t started yet, and texted family and friends that today was the day. We got to the hospital at 8:30am and my husband dropped me off so he could take our almost 3 yr old to grandmas house.

The hospital checked me and confirmed my water had broken and I was dilated to a 3. They got me checked into my room at 9:20am and my husband got there at 9:25am. Contractions were starting to come but weren’t too painful.

My first child’s delivery had been very chaotic and fast and while I wanted the epidural I didn’t get it as I went too fast! This time I made sure they knew up front that I went fast and the nurses were awesome and made sure I got the epidural 😄 - the epidural was in at 10:25am and they checked me at 11:15am and I was dilated to a 5. The nurse noticed contractions were coming faster and checked me again 15 minutes later and I was an 8. She really kicked things into gear at that point and we prepared for baby to come! My doctor hadn’t come yet, and they had the on call doctor in the hallway just in case. I had no pain but was sure feeling the pressure to push and wondered if my doctor would make it. The nurse asked whether our girl had a head full of hair (she did) and mentioned this guy did too. Then the doctor showed up gloved up and got my legs in position. With the next contraction they had me push - I pushed twice on the one contraction and our baby boy was here! 8 lbs 6 oz and 21 inches long

So grateful for a healthy baby and smooth delivery!