Finally! Dagyn's Unassisted Waterbirth Story

Well after some computer issues (where I lost the story and had to retype it all UGH) and some internet issues (several days where it was out) and some blog issues (basically it is a PITA to put pictures in with text in blogger) I FINALLY have the birth story posted!!

It is long (not the birth, the story) because I record all my thoughts/feelings and the events. I find that the more I do it, the more I want to record everything so I can 'relive' it when I read it years later.

I had mentioned that I was splitting the blog in two.  I am keeping this blog for all the Kozy related stuff and updates (and there are plenty to share) but I started a new blog where I could focus on just the opinion, craft, family, natural living, birth etc. stuff (and there is even MORE of that to share, LOL).  I felt like it was getting all mixed up with everything here on this blog.  I imported all the relevant posts from here to there, though I will leave them here on this site for a while longer.

I figured Dagyn's Birth Story could be the first new post over there. I have lots of birth pictures and video stills. So go check it out if you dare (or have time for a novel) . . . 

The Unassisted Waterbirth Story of Dagyn Beannacht Mason.

And come follow me over there (as of right now, since it is new, I have 0 followers . . . so lonely . . . LOL).

It's a BOY!! and baby/pregnancy pictures

Yes, another boy!  That makes 5 boys (and 1 girl).  

 Born unassisted at home in the water (dad and most of the kids were right there, the little ones and Grammy missed it by less than a minute . . . though granted, after pushing for over 2 hrs I didn't give them much 'heads up' when it was finally time, so only the fastest ones made it in the room LOL!!).

My earliest baby, born at 39 wks exactly.  Weighing 8.4 and 22 1/4" long with a 14 inch head.  I had wanted to go late but thank goodness I didn't!!  He would have been over 9lbs!  No name yet, we'll figure that one out soon.

I should be able to get the birth story out within a week.  I had been planning on splitting up this blog into 2.  One for the opinion/personal stuff and then keeping this one for just the Kozy related stuff where I can put all the updates and new stuff (because we have new stuff I have neglected to post about).  So I am thinking if I can get my act together I can start the new blog with the birth story (I have already duplicated most of my non-kozy posts from here, over there)  We'll see.  But I'll let y'all know.

Anyway I had this whole post planned out with all my pregnancy pictures.  I was going to post it yesterday at 39 wks but . . well, I had a baby instead. LOL.  So I am going to go ahead and post all the pictures since I already had them downloaded and in here ready to post.

So I had a professional photographer come over on Tues (just 2 days before he was born) to take pregnancy pictures.  It was FREE because she wanted more photos for her portfolio . . . score for me!!

 I am 38.5 wks in these . . . little did I know that in 2 days . . . 

Here are pictures of my belly/baby growing.  I was trying to be really good to take pictures consistently this time, with the same clothes and the same pose.  It is so cool being able to go back and see the body changing, AND to compare my body/belly from this last pregnancy to the others.

12 wks

16 wks

20 wks

24 wks

28 wks

32 wks

36 wks

38 wks

The birth of Thrace Galen Mason

Well as some of you may or may not know, I had baby Thrace a little over a month ago (May 26, 2009). My stats . . . he is my 5th child, 4th son. It was my 5th 'planned' homebirth (first ended in transfer after 3 hrs of pushing due to excessive bleeding on my part and decels on baby's part) but 4th baby to be born at home. He was a land baby like my first (also weighed the same as my first 8.4) after 3 waterbirths. Not sure what I was thinking when I decided not to 'plan' a waterbirth this time, obviously it was pregnancy brain getting to me, LOL!!! I explain it all in the birth story though. It was my 3rd unassisted birth.

It wasn't an easy birth. So far each birth had gotten easier than the previous, but not this time. Though nothing can compare with my first birth (5 hr transition, 5 hrs pushing, it was durn hard!!!) Labor was long 24 hrs, and I pushed for 2 1/2. So much for the thought that the more kids you have the easier it is for them to 'come out' LOL!!! It was my 3rd birth where I had really weird like spaced out contractions. Lets just say that for the last 3 births, were I in the hospital, my labor would have no doubt been termed 'dysfunctional' and I would have been bombarded with all sorts of interventions. Actually come to think of it, my 2nd baby was the only one where things went pretty 'textbook' during the labor. My first would have most likely been a c/s.

I have been so amazingly blessed by God to have 5 beautiful healthy kids an 5 natural births where I was able to listen to my body and avoid interventions, despite my labors being so 'unusual'. Some of you know I use the name Entergently on lots of forums, and for my other website. The name describes how I strive to live and 'be' with my family. And it starts with a gentle entrance into the world . . . it is so important to me that my kids start out life this way!! And I hope to carry it on throughout their lives as they learn and grow.

The birth story is long (and very detailed and somewhat and bloody . . . just a heads up) ;0) so grab some popcorn and a comfy chair. I have pictures and video stills from the birth up too. To read it go to www.entergently.homestead.com/Thrace.html and click on the link for his unassisted birth story.
I actually have all the kids birth stories (and recent family pictures) up if you would like to read more http://www.entergently.homestead.com/