Newswise — Muthuswamy Jagatheesan and Sulochana Muthuswamy and their family were enjoying a day at Brookfield Zoo last Saturday when Sulochana suddenly went into labor at 35 weeks pregnant.
“We were watching the dolphin show when I felt a few small contractions and then my water broke,” Sulochana said. “My parents, who are both doctors, were with us and thought I probably had at least 24 hours before I delivered given that this was my first baby.”
Despite this, the family alerted zoo officers Barb Clish, Mike Grimm, John Pechulis, Gary Sedlacek and Brandon Smith, who determined that Sulochana’s contractions were three minutes apart. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the officer used the zoo ambulance to drive the family to Loyola University Medical Center. Sulochana was taken through Loyola’s Emergency Department and rushed to the labor & delivery room within minutes.
“Mrs. Sulochana Muthuswamy was fully dilated and the baby was already crowning when she entered the labor room,” said Lena Wiley, MD, obstetrician and gynecologist, Loyola University Medical Center.
Sulochana pushed three times before she delivered a healthy baby boy less than one hour after the onset of labor pains. Baby Jagath “Sam” Muthuswamy was born more than one month early and weighed 5 pounds, 12 ounces.
“I was anxious because I had just been to my doctor and there were no signs of labor during my visit,” Sulochana said. “I am glad that I happened to be down the street from a good hospital when all of it started.”
Her husband and parents also were surprised at the fast development of events, which led to Sam’s birth.
“It is unbelievable to think that we went from enjoying the dolphin show to having our baby show up an hour later,” Muthu said. “We were totally unprepared for what happened, but all of a sudden our baby was there, and we were thrilled.”
Bridget Boyd, MD, the pediatrician who cared for Sam in the hospital, said that he is a healthy boy despite his premature birth.
Muthu reports that both mom and baby are at home now in Naperville and doing well. The family plans to visit the zoo again and share the story of Sam’s birth with him once he is a little older.
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