Hey everyone. Sorry it took so long for this reply. Ya know, mother of 2 life. lol
So, ya, I started having contractions at 3am and their frequency varied depending on if I was standing or laying down. But I don't think I went for more than like 12 mins without having one for the whole labour. I kept my 1:15pm MW appt and was told I was 3-4cm. With Alex, it took me 19 hours to get to that point. This time, it took 10. She told us to go back to my place and she'd meet us there shortly. She checked me again at 4:30 and said I was pretty much 6cm. She could stretch me to almost 8cm, but it wouldn't stay stretched. And 100% effaced. I can't remember the exact time, but it probably wasn't too long after that I started using the gas and it was so awesome. She checked me again around 8-ish and I was about 7-8cm. She said that if she broke my water, it would probably help me progress to 10cm, but if the fluid wasn't clear, we'd definitely have to go to the hospital. I said I'd take that risk and the fluid was still clear, thank God. She broke my water at 9:30 and I ended up on my knees, holding onto SO as he sat on the couch. I was still using the gas and really felt the urge to push. I don't think he was crowning yet when they suggested I'd maybe do better on my back on the couch. So, I moved there and continued pushing and he was out 23 mins after my water being broken. Looking back at the video, I know I wasn't using the gas anymore once he started coming out. I can't remember if I was using it again to deliver the placenta, but I definitely did when she was checking me for tearing. I had a 2nd degree tear again and did get a handful of stitches. So, that's my story. I'm definitely proud of myself for what I did. Jury's still out on how I feel for needing the gas, but I did do the major pushing without it.
So far, he's not the best at sleeping at night/by himself, but he did just do a 4 hour stretch alone in his bassinet last night, so hopefully he'll just get better from there. Alex is very slowly warming up to him, but still not quite sure what to make of him. We'll get there though. And SO said to me (sorta jokingly) a few days ago "so, that was super traumatic and you don't wanna do that again, right?" and I said "well, they have these really great drugs at the hospital." and he goes "what? so, you do it naturally once and then you're done?" But anyway, as it stands, I think I'd be leaning more towards a home birth again for #3. I'm healing better and quicker than the first time and I know that the pain doesn't last forever.
Kitty - My first took 27 hours, but I was helped along with pitocin and an epi for 8 of those hours. Second took 19 hours with no drugs.
shae - Alex was Leo from TMNT and Matthew was a skeleton, the exact same costume my nephew wore 7 years earlier.
Also, thank you so much everyone for your well wishes and congrats. I'll post some more pics, but it'll probably take me a few posts to share everything. lol