Woman Gives Birth In Car On Way To Hospital

BRAINERD (AP) -- A central Minnesota woman almost made it to the hospital before giving birth in her car.

Debbie Petersen says she was up all night with pains she didn't think were contractions. But that all changed around 4 a.m. Wednesday when her water broke at her Randall home.

The nearest hospital was in Brainerd, about a 30-minute drive. Her husband Chris was driving her when Petersen says she could feel the baby's head emerge about a block from the hospital.

Petersen says the baby's head and shoulders were out by the time the couple arrived at the emergency room. Doctors finished the delivery in her car in the parking lot.

Petersen says she was scared and didn't know if the baby was breathing. But there were no complications for her or baby Gavin.