Day of Shopping leads to New Year’s birth

Published 12:42 pm Tuesday, January 3, 2006

Sonya Thompson spent the day New Year’s Eve shopping in the hope of inducing labor and the birth of her and her husband Keith’s third child.

Her efforts were rewarded at 11:36 a.m. Sunday with the birth of Cullman County’s first baby of 2006 — Mabry Paige Thompson.

Delivered in the maternity unit at Cullman Regional Medical Center by attending physician Dr. Glori Short, Mabry Paige, whose first name is also her mother’s maiden name, tipped the scales at 8 pounds, 2 ounces and measured 19 1/2 inches long.

“Mabry and our other children, Katie, 11 and Braxton, who will turn six in March, share names in common with my parents, both of whom are deceased,” said Sonya Thompson. “They can’t be here to help us raise our children so we decided to name each one after them.”

Thompson said the birth went well and was happy to report that both mother and daughter are doing fine. They were scheduled to be released from the hospital today.

In an unusual twist, however, it is very likely that mother and father will be riding in wheelchairs when mother and daughter are released on Tuesday. Sonya Thompson will be given a wheelchair ride to the main entrance because it’s hospital policy. Keith Thompson will be in his wheelchair simply because he needs it for mobility due to the knee-high casts he sports on both legs.

Back on Dec. 1, Keith Thompson, an iron worker with Birmingham Steel, was working in Huntsville when he fell 12 feet and landed feet first on concrete. As a result, he sustained fractures to both heels and required surgery to repair the damage in mid-December.

“I was afraid Sonya was going to go into labor when I had my surgery and I wouldn’t get to be with her, but the baby was stubborn and even gave me a week to recuperate before she came,” Keith Thompson said. “The doctors can’t tell me how long I’m libel to be off from work and in rehab. One thing I can look forward too, however, is being on maternity leave from work so I can stay home with my new daughter.”

Both parents said it’s a great feeling to know that their baby is officially the first newborn in Cullman County in 2006.

In actuality, it was really no contest.

Sonya was the only expectant mother on the maternity ward floor Jan. 1.

“When we did the calculation for the due date after I discovered I was pregnant it came up Dec. 31 and we immediately thought how neat would that be to have a New Year’s baby,” Sonya Thompson said. “Keith had a cousin, who was a New Year’s baby, to die in 2005 and it’s great that Mabry will be able to share that birth date with him.”

Sonya Thompson admitted that it was true that she went shopping Saturday and walked as much as possible in the hope of inducing labor.

“Around midnight we were all at our home in Vinemont waiting for the arrival of the New Year. I had been having contractions throughout the day, but right around midnight they started coming closer together so I timed them and I told Keith it was time to go,” Sonya Thompson said. “So we loaded Keith and his wheelchair into the car and then when we got to the hospital we let Keith out at the front door and then we parked the car. I know people thought ‘How strange,’ when they saw us.”

Sonya Thompson said both Katie and Braxton’s deliveries were quick so she expected Mabry’s birth to be equally as quick and it was.

“It really was a great experience. Dr. Short and the maternity staff at CRMC have been wonderful and the fact that Mabry is the first baby of 2006 just adds to it,” Sonya Thompson said. “And the hospital gave us this beautiful bassinet filled with stuff animals and all sorts of items and gift certificates. I never win anything, but in this case I suppose Mabry should get most of the credit.”

One of the Thompsons’ nurses, Kim Ory, RN, said it was a special experience to be a part of the birth of the first baby of the New Year in Cullman County.

“It’s exciting,” Ory said. “Mother and daughter have been wonderful and both are doing great.”

A total of 900 babies were delivered at CRMC in 2005, Ory said.