Derin's birth story

My pregnancy with Derin was quite different from my pregnancy with Defne. Everyone says labour is faster and easier the second time round however our story was a bit different.

16th of Jan,Saturday morning 7.30 and I woke up with a sensation of water trickling down. Went to the bathroom and yes my waters was broken.
I took a shower,then called the hospital. I had a very fast labour first time (6 hours) so I was concerned that it might be much faster this time. However the baby had other plans.
We went to hospital around 9.30,I was having some mild contractions but nothing serious.So we decided to go back home. Time was passing but contractions were still mild. When your waters break, they want to do an induction if labour does not start in 24 hours( in case there might be an infection) I wanted to avoid an induction so kept active. I had a very beautiful birth experience with Defne and was looking forward to experience a similar labour with this little one,too. So I gently bounced on the birth ball and walked and finally after midnight I was having stronger contractions.
At 3 am we were back in the hospital,midwife checked me, I was at 5 cm.
I went into the pool and started using gas and air.Last time I loved it, this time it made me feel dizzy and I threw up in the pool! So had to get out,wait until they refilled it. It's difficult to express my feelings but I can say labour was much more intense this time, I could hardly speak to want some water etc. and I was very vocal. When his head was emerging the midwife said "he's looking at the stars" but I didn't get what she really meant. Had to push really hard and at 5.08 am he was there. it was just unbelievable! After the cord stop pulsating,DH cut the cord. So the early labour was longer than I had anticipated, but the actual labour was only 2 hours long.


The midwife then said he was back to back, that is why it was so difficult.

We left the hospital around noon,exhausted but very happy!
He was born 2760 gr which is about 6 pounds. He is gaining well though,was at birth weight on the 5th day. Thanks to tandem feeding my milk came in early.

Defne is such a lovely big sister! She is behaving much more mature than I expected.

This is minutes after the siblings met,Defne wanted to hold him immediately.


We are enjoying the baby bliss at the moment.My mum had come from Turkey a few days before labour and it's great to have help. It is still early days,but I am enjoying it much more this time. The first time,I didn't know how to hold the baby,how to breastfeed her etc etc. The second time,you are experienced and all of these come easier.