Bonus Episode | A Pregnancy Update Planning Our Second Home Birth

In this solo mini episode, I share a personal update on my second pregnancy and our plans for a second home birth. At 26 weeks pregnant with our second son, I answer listener-submitted questions covering everything from our IVF journey and the reasoning behind the close age gap, to navigating gender disappointment, prepping our toddler for a new sibling, and planning a home birth after a traumatic postpartum hemorrhage the first time around.Honest, unfiltered, and full of practical detail for anyone expecting a second baby — or just curious what it's really like behind the scenes.The pregnancy so far: 26 weeks along, why second pregnancies "fly by," and the mental difference between a first and second pregnancyWhy we're growing their family so quickly: an eight-year fertility journey, IVF timing, and choosing an ~18-month age gap by circumstance rather than planSymptoms & how this pregnancy compares to the first: first-trimester nausea, insomnia (possibly linked to a zinc deficiency), and fatigue while chasing a toddlerStaying active during pregnancy: continuing to weightlift three days a week, working with my coach, and prepping for a return to Masters Weightlifting post-birthBody work & birth prep: fortnightly visits to a chiropractor focused on spinal alignment, breathing, and nervous system regulation — plus dealing with rib pain this time aroundOn gender disappointment: an honest, taboo-breaking conversation about grieving the idea of a daughter, spirit baby readings, and holding grief and gratitude at the same timePreparing our toddler, Henley, for a sibling: bed-sharing, upgrading to a king bed, working with an attachment-based sleep consultant, and slowly shifting nighttime routines ahead of baby's arrivalLogistics without family support nearby: who's helping care for Henley during labour, and lining up extra support for the early newborn weeksPlanning birth #2 after a hospital transfer: revisiting the postpartum hemorrhage from Henley's birth, why home birth still feels safest, and how our midwife Jacinta is helping them plan differently this timePreparing mentally for a possibly fast labour: her first labour was under 5 hours — how she's managing expectations without "planning" for speedHerbs, supplies, and practical birth prep: tinctures for bleeding and afterpains, and reusing gear from their first home birth Want more?You can find episode photos over at:⁠https://www.instagram.com/wearemotherspod/⁠You can find me at:⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamsarahcusack/⁠