Births

Births

The Thompson family lived at 913 E. Sixth Street in Mitchell, SD. Darrell, David, and Oscar were born at Methodist Hospital in Mitchell. John was traveling when David was born. There is a note in David's baby book that had been left on the door to tell John, “It’s a boy!” Probably Maxine, Eunice, Carmen, or Annie kept Darrell.

By the time Thomas was born, the family had moved to the Thompson homestead. Margaret's first three births had gone well. Midwives had become popular; so Margaret, a registered nurse, decided to deliver at home. It was a decision that almost cost her life and that of her baby.

Ida Thompson (Mrs. Charles Thompson, Margaret’s aunt) served as midwife. The baby's head was large and it became obvious that Margaret could not deliver the child. Dr. Cochran from Plankinton was called in. He used forceps to deliver Thomas. The older boys remember Aunt Ida holding Thomas in a blanket over the open oven to warm him. It is a graphic memory. The birth was difficult and left Margaret in bed for days.