Pair of Ottawa paramedics earn stork pins after successfully assisting delivery of baby on roadside

An Ottawa mother and her baby are safely in hospital after not quite making it there, as intended.  

Ottawa paramedics say a woman in her early 30s, who was nearing the end of her pregnancy started to experience contractions around 5:30 a.m., Monday, January 10.

She and her partner soon decided to start making their way to their intended birthing hospital, but about 28 minutes into their 30-minute drive, they had to pull over on the side of the highway as the delivery was imminent. 

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The Central Ambulance Communications Centre received a 911 call at 7:01 a.m. and paramedics were sent to the couple's location.

The paramedic service says Ambulance Communications Officer Gaelen obtained pertinent call information and provided emergency instructions over the phone and, when paramedics Chris and Paul arrived, signs of imminent birth were noted. 

Minutes later, a healthy baby girl was born in the warmth of the ambulance. Both the newborn and the mother were transported together in stable condition to their intended birthing hospital for further evaluation and monitoring.

Ambulance Communications Officer Gaelen as well as Paramedics Chris and Paul were awarded stork pins to commemorate the special event.