After a long, exhausting induction with my first baby, I was hopeful baby #2 would be different—and it truly was! At 41+3, I was induced at 8 PM. My cervix was already soft, so we started Pitocin right away. Contractions were mild until my doula arrived. Around 3 AM, I was only 4 cm but progressing. I asked to ramp things up, and my doula put me in the “flying cowgirl” position—intense contractions hit immediately.
By 6 AM, I requested an epidural, thinking I was maybe 5 cm. Surprise—I was already 8 cm! The epidural only half worked, and soon I felt my body start bearing down on its own. At 7:40 AM, I was fully dilated.
As the sac began emerging intact, everyone gathered—it was a rare en caul birth! With one gentle push, her head was out. A final contraction and she slipped out, still in the sac, which burst as her body delivered. I pulled her onto my chest, wide-eyed and strong.
This healing, magical 11-hour labor ended with one push and a beautiful en caul baby girl. I’ll never forget it. 💕
