Baby born in traffic jam on U.S. 60

Katie McDevitt, Tribune

October 12, 2007 - 3:58PM

A woman gave birth in an ambulance on U.S. 60 early Thursday morning after a crash on the freeway caused the group to become stuck in traffic.

Mesa fire Capt. Jeff Stieber said firefighters responded to the woman’s home near Broadway Road and Stapley Drive about 6:30 a.m.

As paramedics were rushing the woman to a local hospital, her water broke and she gave birth to a baby boy, officials said.

A crash on U.S. 60 near Dobson Road held the ambulance up in traffic.

“It’s rare,” Stieber said of births in ambulances. “It probably happens maybe two or three times a year.”

Stieber said paramedics are trained to deliver babies. The mother and child were taken safely to a local hospital.

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My comment disappeared! What's going on?

jess f

way to go emergency responce team Suggest removal of this comment

October 12, 2007

xp

Whats with the wrecks on the US60, seems there is at least 1 during every single rush hour Suggest removal of this comment

October 12, 2007

Sherri

This area has grown faster than the freeways can. 60 was too small even 5 years ago. All sarcasm aside, I second the "way to go" to the emergency response team... good outcome in a not so great situation. Suggest removal of this comment

October 12, 2007

The Hoff

Now I know I'm going to take some heat for appearing to second-guess a paramedic's decision, but where in the world was the ambulance going, and why in god's name would they get on the 60?!

The article states that the patient was being "rushed" to the hospital, and, judging on her delivery in the ambulance, her labor was in the advanced stages. I would think the parameidcs would "rush" her to the closest hospital with OB service. Now, from the patient's home near Broadway and Stapley, Mesa General Hospital is the closest hospital, less than 2 miles away. Even if they were headed to Banner Desert, why get on the freeway during rush hour?! Take Broadway to Dobson, and you're there, without all the drama and clean up in the back of the rig!

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October 12, 2007

Cheie

Most women pick their hospital beforehand or its up to their insurance policy where she can give birth. So it's not always about "Go there.." because "Go there.." might turn you away. Suggest removal of this comment

October 12, 2007

Darkroom Family

I have yet to assumed that they(parents) will nickname their kid "traffica" for being born during rush hour like that. Perhaps. Suggest removal of this comment

October 12, 2007

jc

I live in Mesa and my midwife only delivered at Phoenix Baptist hospital. I was very greatful that we didn't get stuck in traffic on the way across town to the hospital Suggest removal of this comment