Started feeling contractions at 3:30 am, went in to the hospital at 7am, was already 5cm dilated and contractions quickly got closer together and way more intense more quickly than with my first. however, word to the wise, once I accepted a spinal tap my labor came to a grinding halt and I was stuck at 8cm dilated from about 12pm-4:30pm, and it obviously affected my daughter's heart rate around hour 2 of being stuck at that dilation. lesson learned? If you can suck it up, you should, because it makes your labor go much faster and I probably would have had her by noon instead of past 5:30 if I had just let myself feel and work through the contractions I was having at that time. Once my spinal tap wore off and I was able to feel the entirety of my contractions I worked through them and quickly dilated to a full 10. I felt everything from pushing her out, but it's not unbearable, and honestly there's so much immediate relief once the baby is out you completely forget about the pain. if you need the drugs, take them, but if you can tolerate most of the pain without them I promise it makes your labor progress much more quickly, especially your second. Say hello to my precious angel, Serenity Jo Pacheco, who was worth every second of effort and pain ❤❤❤