Mom Gives Birth To Baby Girl On 5 Freeway In Orange County

ANAHEIM, CA — An Orange County couple believed that they were on schedule to leave for the hospital in preparation for the arrival of their baby girl.

The baby, however, had other plans.

The mother gave birth on the side of the Interstate 5 freeway Wednesday night in Anaheim while her and her husband were on route to UC Irvine Medical Center, Anaheim Police Department Sgt. Shane Carringer told Patch.

The father, who said his name was Jeffrey, told camera crews at the scene that his wife's contractions were four minutes apart when they left for the hospital, KTLA reported. He told reporters that the baby appeared to be coming early.

"She told me to pull over right away because the baby was going to come out," Jeffrey told KTLA. "I said, 'Nah, I could probably make it if I drive fast enough,' and she was like, 'No, the baby's coming out now.'"

The couple was able to safely pull to the side of the freeway near the State route 91 Freeway transition in Anaheim, reports said, and by the time Jeffrey exited the car and hurried to the passenger's side, the baby had already arrived.

Officers with the California Highway Patrol, Orange County Fire Authority, Fullerton Fire Department and Anaheim Police Department later met the newborn and her mother and confirmed good news after she and the baby were transported to the hospital.

"The mother and newborn were safely taken to a local hospital via ambulance," Carringer told Patch. "Both were in good health."