An Ottawa Mom Gave Birth To A Baby Girl Roadside This Morning With Help From Paramedics

Birthing plans are great to have, but they don't always go according to plan.

A mother in her early 30s gave birth to her baby girl on the side of the highway this morning with help from Ottawa Paramedic Service just under two minutes away from the hospital.

At about 5:30 a.m. on January 10, the mom started to feel some contractions. She and her partner decided to make the 30-minute drive to the hospital they had intended to have their child at, but according to a press release from Ottawa Paramedic Service – the baby had other plans.

Her contractions advanced throughout the drive, and the couple decided they had to pull over on the side of the highway "as the delivery was deemed imminent."

Ottawa paramedics received a 911 call to their Central Ambulance Communications Centre at 7:01 a.m., and paramedics were sent out to help.

Ambulance Communications Officer Gaelen provided instructions to the couple over the phone as they waited for the ambulance to arrive and when paramedics did arrive on the scene, "signs of imminent birth were noted."

In the span of just a few minutes, at 7:15 a.m., a healthy baby was born "in the warmth of the Paramedic Unit."

The mom and newborn received "post natal care before being transported together in stable condition to their intended birthing hospital for further evaluation and monitoring."

The paramedics and communication officers involved with the delivery were awarded "Stork pins" to congratulate them on the "special event."

The Ottawa Paramedic Service wished the parents congratulations "on the latest addition to their family!"