After having Owen in 2003, I can't believe I actually decided to do it again. I didn't have any drugs with him – not even an IV – and endured 25 hours of labor, including two hours of pushing. Ouch! But in the end, of course, it was worth it and so I almost immediately decided to do it again.

Samuel was due on February 4, 2005, but the day came and went. On the morning of February 8, I woke up at about 3 a.m. with contractions that were about seven minutes apart. My doctor had warned me to come to the hospital when they were less than 10 minutes apart, since I had stayed home for the first 17 hours of labor with Owen and she knew I hated the hospital.

After an hour of timing those contractions, I decided to just try to get some rest and I'd see how they were in the morning. I woke again at about 7 a.m. and they were pretty much gone. I had a non-stress test at the hospital at 11 a.m. so I figured I would see what the nurse said at that point. I packed my bag in case my husband would have to grab it and meet me up there.

At the non-stress test, some of the readings were funny and the nurse said that based on them, my doctor would surely induce me. I insisted that my doctor would not induce me, since she knows I am very opposed to interventions. The nurse couldn't get in touch with my doctor so she kept me a little while longer and then let me go home. I figured I must not be in labor.

I continued having some sporadic contractions throughout the day, but nothing serious and certainly not worth timing. At about 7 p.m., I finally told my husband that I might be in labor. Of course he freaked out and called his mom to come watch our son since we might be going to the hospital any minute. I insisted we wouldn't be going until morning and he should call her back and tell her to get some rest. He did.

All of a sudden, I had a strong contraction with the urge to push. That was very unexpected! When I went to the bathroom and saw blood, I figured it was time to go to the hospital.

I walked into the hospital on my own accord and was very calm. If I had to guess, I would have said I was at 4 centimeters dilated. Wow! Was I wrong! The nurse took all my information and said they "might" keep me there. When she checked me she was shocked – I was already at 8 centimeters! Of course they called my doctor and told her to be on standby. I was actually admitted at 9:45 p.m.

I was moved to delivery and continued to just breathe through contractions. I actually told my husband I was "bored." It was just a contraction, then nothing, then another. I guess I wasn't realizing how fast Sammy was coming.

At 11:15 p.m. I told the nurse to check me again and sure enough, I was at 10 centimeters. She called my doctor and we waited for her to get there. She broke my water and after three pushes, he was there – all 8 pounds, 5 ounces of him – pink and perfect and born at 11:47 p.m., just two hours after I got to the hospital.

What a difference from my first birth experience, which was also incredible but so much more difficult! For anyone who is thinking of going without medicine, it is definitely worth it. I know I sacrificed my own comfort to give both boys the best possible start in life, and it's something I'll forever be proud of!