SEVIERVILLE — Though Garner and Stephanie Gideon of Newport had their New Year’s Day arrangements in order, things didn’t go exactly as planned. Their son entered the world much earlier than expected.

Seven pound, 13 ounce Brandon Lee Gideon was born at 11:47 a.m. on Jan. 1 at LeConte Medical Center, making him the first baby of the new year in Sevier County. Big sisters9-year-old Gabrielle and 2-year-old Isabella, other family members and friends gathered at the hospital on Tuesday, welcoming Brandon and helping his parents prepare for their journey home.

Brandon’s due date was Jan. 25, but because of issues with Stephanie’s health — she developed high blood pressure and diabetes during the pregnancy — she was scheduled to be induced on the first day of the new year. Arriving at the hospital at 5 a.m., the couple was scheduled to begin induction around 8 a.m.

Because doctors expected labor to take 18 hours or more, Stephanie and Garner didn’t expect Brandon to arrive until the next day. But, a few hours into labor problems began.

“Her contractions went through the roof and the baby’s heartbeat dropped,” Garner explained. “The doctor said we needed to do an emergency C (Cesarean) section. They took her back and took the baby.”

Stephanie’s two other children were delivered naturally, so the though of undergoing a surgical procedure worried her.

“It was scary,” she said. “(The doctor) induced me. They said I’d be in labor for 18 hours. They didn’t think the baby would be able to handle it. I had to do an emergency C-section. I never had one before.”

The mom was visibly upset before the procedure, so Garner tried to reassure her.

“She was scared to death when she went in for the C-section,” he said. “I told her to give it to God. You have to have God on your side. That’s what I told my wife.”

Though Brandon was safely delivered, his health issues continued after his birth. He had low oxygen and blood sugar levels, requiring immediate treatment. Nurses whisked him away to the nursery, while Garner stood and watched helplessly.

“I asked when they were working on him, if he was OK,” he said. “I said, ‘Don’t lie to me.’ The nurses said it was serious and they had to do the work. It was scary. I didn’t know what was going on at the time.”

Stephanie admits that she doesn’t remember much of this portion of the experience.

“He remembers more than I do,” she said. “I was loopy and out of it. It was scary and painful and exciting and exhausting.”

After several hours Stephanie and Garner were finally able to see their baby boy — their third and final child. This is when they learned Brandon was the New Year’s baby.

“That tickled me,” Garner said. “It was exciting.”

Now that Brandon is OK and their family is complete, the parents are thankful for his good health.

“We are very, very happy,” Stephanie said.

Garner adds, “Now all is well. I thank all the doctors and nurses here for taking care of my wife and baby. I’m excited to have a son.”

rosborn@themountainpress.com