Jennifer- my second stage was long in both labours. I was feeling so ripped off second time around when it happened again! It's not like I was pushing when I shouldn't have been (my body was making me do it) and I was in an optimal position both times. Just nothing would make those babies move down any faster. My second son crowned through 3 contractions (the first one bobbed in an out, but second one just stayed there, half way out for what felt like forever!) so I can relate. I was proud of my ability to be completely relaxed through that. Damn his shoulder getting a bit stuck and tearing me on the way out!! After all I had done to let his head come out so slowly!

I hope your appointment goes well Cassius! Let us know how you fare and good luck going to their office We'll most likely have baby#3 while we're in the states so I'm a little antsy about "the system" here. I have noticed our local HB MWs seem to appointments at their birth centre. I want home visits! I'm thinking I might look into a "freebirth" with an unregistered MW. It'll be such a shame not to revisit and grow on the relationship I built with my previous MWs too.

Arcadia- thanks for asking, our family is going great! My eldest son is doing freaking amazing things and is really healing. But it's intense. I am cooking and organising his therapy & education all the time. There is just no way we can have a baby until he is MUCH more healed and things are more calm. I'm looking forward to waiting because I'd like him to understand what is going on next time around and it'll be lovely to be able to share with both the boys... it just makes me sad when I think of how much more comprehension other children his age have and how much more ready we would be to have another baby if we didn't have this hurdle already. I have to spend some time detoxing after baby#2 weans before we can safely get pregnant again too... I'm thinking we wont be able to TTC till about late 2013, so I'll probably be 38 for the next one

Stick around Tegam- I always liked hearing from those that had been there before when I was planning my HB