Illinois Firefighters Help Woman Give Birth In A Parking Lot During Snowstorm

An Illinois woman gave birth to a healthy baby girl in a parking lot during a snowstorm, assisted by firefighters.

A Joliet couple was slowly making their way toward the hospital during Wednesday's winter storm when the woman’s water suddenly broke. The couple stopped at sandwich chain Jimmy John's, near Route 59 and Fort Beggs Drive, to call 911 around 7.30 a.m., media outlet WLS reported.

Continuous snowfall made it difficult for plows to keep the road clean, which slowed down traffic, Fire Chief Jon Stratton said.

Plainfield firefighters responded to the scene to help with the emergency delivery. Stratton said the fire crew made a makeshift tent around the car to give the unidentified couple privacy during the birth. A short while later, a healthy baby girl was born.

"No, the baby wasn't waiting, it was a very quick delivery," said Lt. Bryan Gallup to WLS. "The chief said, I believe, it was only about 10 minutes or so."

The baby was born around 7.41 am. The father even got to cut the baby’s umbilical cord.

"It was really kind of crazy because it was in the middle of the snowstorm," Stratton said to Patch. "They had to get blankets to keep them warm."

After the birth, the baby and the mother were taken to a hospital in Plainfield. Both of them are reportedly doing well.

"It was unbelievable out there," Stratton said to the outlet. "You had everything going against you. We took extra personnel to the hospital, but hopefully, everything pans out and everything works out with the family. They'll have a crazy story."

Mayor of Plainfield, John Argoudelis, lauded the firefighters for their diligent work. The Plainfield police were also at the scene to assist with the emergency delivery.

"A lot of people aren't fans of winter, but a winter wonderland like today is very beautiful, aesthetically," Argoudelis told Patch. "Wonderful surprises come from this kind of beauty, including the birth of a healthy baby girl. I understand that mom and baby are doing very well."

In a similar incident last month, a Colorado woman gave birth to a baby girl in a bathroom, assisted by her partner, as the calm voice of a 911 dispatcher guided them through the ordeal.