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January 11, 2007

Duncan Gregor Mackey

Shannon, Tristan and I are proud to announce the birth of Duncan Gregor Mackey, born at 4:35 PM on Thursday 11-January-2007.

10 lbs. 6 oz.
22 inches long
15 inch head
14 1/2 inch chest

As with Tristan, Shannon elected to have Duncan naturally, with no epidural or anesthesia of any kind. Due to her condition of polyhydramnios and Duncan's apparent large size, our midwife Paula Senner insisted on breaking her water a week early. Good thing too, because another week in the womb and he would have been over 11 lbs! Here is the play-by-play:

8:00 AM - arrive at Birthing Inn
8:30 AM - shoot some footage for the HGTV show
9:40 AM - Paula breaks the water and strips the membranes
10:30 AM - Contractions increasing in intensity, walking the halls
11:00 AM - First big contraction, still walking
12:00 PM - 7 cm, second stage labor, staying in room leaning on yoga ball while standing beside bed
2:00 PM - on all fours in bed on yoga ball, not comfortable
2:30 PM - moved into the tub
3:45 PM - transition, extreme contractions and pain
4:15 PM - getting out of the tub, moving towards the bed
4:30 PM - in bed, laying on right side

At this point, Paula checked her and realized Duncan was here - she quickly grabbed her gown and gave me Shannon's left knee and told her to push. Two pushes and the head was out. Paula told her to pause while she checked his shoulders, then told her to push again. Two more pushes and he was out, born at 4:35 PM!

We are so happy that Shannon and Duncan are in perfect health and safely back home. Thanks for all the well-wishes from all our friends and family, and special thanks to Paula Senner of Loudoun Community Midwives, as well as her colleagues Wendy Dotson and Margie Brandquist for their incredible care, support and faith in women who want to experience natural childbirth. It couldn't happen without you!

Meet our little boy!

Posted by Stephen at January 11, 2007 11:07 PM