On April 1st I was 38 weeks 5 days with twins sharing a placenta and it was time to begin a homeopathic induction. My birth team arrived around noon. Me and the boys were checked and I drank the first of what would be more than one castor oil smoothie. Neighborhood curb walks. Stair walking. A yoga ball. The toilet. Nearly two hours of early labor but still no contractions. Another smoothie. More walking. More body work. More waiting. A membrane sweep brought stronger but still irregular contractions. An hour later, we pulled the last trick in the book: breaking my water. I was finally in labor. I labored in the bathroom. In doorways. On my knees. Finally on my bed. The room went quiet except for my midwife’s voice, soft and steady, telling me I was ready. Benny was born OP at 10:01pm. 7 lbs 2 oz. I had relief. Joy. And the immediate awareness that I wasn’t done. I still had to meet his brother. I thought I’d have time to regroup. I should have known better with a name like Dash...