After a long and challenging first birth, I was hoping for a smoother experience with my second baby—and it truly was! At 41+3, I was admitted for induction on August 12. Since my cervix was already soft, we skipped cytotec and started pitocin at 9pm.

Contractions were manageable at first, and with my doula’s support, we used various positions, including the hilarious “flying cowgirl” with the peanut ball. That position kicked labor into high gear—within 30 minutes, I was deep into transition.

By 6am, I got the epidural but could still feel most contractions. At 7:40am, I was fully dilated and started involuntarily bearing down. My midwife calmly encouraged me to follow my body’s cues.

Suddenly, she exclaimed my baby was being born en caul—completely inside the unbroken amniotic sac! Nurses gathered to witness the rare moment. I gave one intentional push, and with the next contraction, her body emerged and the sac burst. I reached down and pulled her onto my chest—eyes wide open, already alert.

It was a magical, healing experience—just 11 hours of labor, one push, and a perfect en caul birth. I’m so grateful and still in awe of the beauty of it all.