Health

‘I Pushed Once’: Woman Delivers Own Baby on 45-Minute Drive to Hospital

Texas Woman Delivers Baby in Compact Car En Route to Birthing Center

Jennifer Russell gave birth to Willow while her husband, Zachary, drove the car and filmed.

Jennifer Russell makes childbirth look as easy as a Sunday afternoon drive — literally. It may not have been a Sunday afternoon, but Russell delivered her daughter with one push on the car ride to the birthing center as her husband captured it on video while driving.

“I just kept making sure the frame was good and that I was staying on the road,” proud father Zachary said.

Texas Woman Delivers Baby in Compact Car En Route to Birthing Center

Proud mother Jennifer Russell delivered her daughter in the car on the way to the hospital.

Watch the ABC News report here (Warning: Content may be graphic for some readers):

ABC reported the Mansfield, Texas, mother as saying that she never thought daughter Willow’s birth would happen that fast.

“I pushed once and I felt pretty good,” she said.

ABC has more from the Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland Marjorie Greenfield about rapid labors:

“About 1 percent of women break their water before they go into labor,” said Greenfield. “It’s usually a big gush, but sometimes it’s more of a constant trickle.” Either way, “you can usually tell.”

[...]

“Everyone’s been telling them, ‘Pain, pain, pain,‘ and they don’t recognize what contractions feel like,” said Greenfield of the women some would call lucky. “But that’s pretty rare.”

Even for veteran moms who’ve been there, done that, labor can be sneaky.

“If their first baby came in two hours, the next baby may be the one they’re going to deliver in the car on the way to the hospital,” said Greenfield. “The second delivery, on average, is usually half the length of the first.”

Although few women would choose the backseat of a Ford Compact over a birthing center, Greenfield said quick labors are usually a sign that everything is going smoothly.

“This is the way nature intended,” she said. “Labor wasn’t intended to happen in hospitals hooked up to IVs.”

Greensfield said that it’s important to dry off the baby and put it on the skin of the mother, which is appears Russell did in the video. She even unwrapped the umbilical cord from around Willow’s neck.

The parents are even hoping to give Willow the car she was born in when she is of age.

Comments (34)

  • SeeingThingsClearly
    Posted on April 21, 2012 at 3:47pm

    Nice for this lady. I had no clue I was in labor (first baby, expected blinding pain that I didn’t experience). Had breakfast with some friends, and decided I felt “funny”. Then my water broke and I was rushed to the hospital. I walked around for 6 hours until I was told that I had to lay down and give birth. I had some shot in my hip for pain, although I never did feel that pain I expected. Pushed for 30 minutes and my son was here. The worst experience of birth: the recovery. People don’t discuss the healing process after birth…and they should.

    Report Post »  
  • ohmy2u
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 12:34am

    This gives new meaning to rush delivery! God’s blessings to the parents and this beautiful little girl!
    http://www.ohmy2u.blogspot.com http://www.izoominews.blogspot.com

    Report Post » ohmy2u  
  • sldjulius
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 7:47pm

    All of the comments from men just prove why men should be no where near a woman delivering a baby. The ignorance is brutal.

    Report Post »  
  • gemmeri
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 7:05pm

    Congratulations to the new parents & welcome to baby Willow. Some women are just luckier than others I guess in the birth department. I died & came back both times… Ah, the things I could tell all of you. Just remember there is something greater than all of us. It helps if you look at a photo of the known universe & think order…

    Report Post »  
  • kevinj319
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 5:41pm

    “This is the way nature intended,” she said. “Labor wasn’t intended to happen in hospitals hooked up to IVs.”

    Right, it’s supposed to happen in the car on the highway. Some people shouldn’t speak.

    Report Post »  
  • SuttonShimai
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 3:59pm

    We were on our way to the hospital when I started to push, so I yelled at my husband to pull over at the next little town and call an ambulance. They got me loaded on the ambulance and she was born en route before we got to the hospital. Best birth I ever had. No IVs, no monitors, no drugs. It was great! She was the last of my five children.

    Report Post »  
  • American Mensch
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:56am

    What a BEAUTIFUL baby girl. Welcome to the world Willow! This is a story your parents will be telling you when you get older.

    Report Post »  
  • objectivetruth
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:09am

    My first was a c-section.Transverse.They didn’t try an turn him.Had a epidural refused to be knocked out.[They left me to labor for 13 unproductive hours before that]Second normal delivery no pain killers save for gas on the episotomy.Third was at home.Cleaned up after a dinner party.Went ionto the shower and delivered her.Breach at that.Feet first.Cleaned her up and gave her the apgar.Passed with flying colors.Hard labor less than three minutes.Obviously no pain killers.Had a traveling nurse give her a blood test a few days later.No she wasn’t at risk for any diseases or conditions of newborns.
    Note to all men
    Womens anatomy is much like other muscle groups.If you don’t use it you lose it.Ask some of your friends who have been with mothers of multiple children.They are tighter than some women who have never had children.Having children doesn’t affect you that way, being lazy and not doing keegels does,

    Report Post »  
    • objectivetruth
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:33am

      I didn’t think I had room to finish my post.Fourth born at home.Fifth transverse and C-section.I couldn’t turn him.He attempted to arrive arm first.My attendee‘s didn’t know how.I couldn’t reach obviously.Oh to all you small women you are at risk of transverse births.The longer the child the more probability.I am short and small.Three out of five were transverse.All boys and long.None weiged over 6 pounds 5 ounces.They were 21 23 and 20 inches though.It isn’t always the weight factor as you can see.

      Report Post »  
    • mtnclimberjim
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:54am

      I can’t have children.

      Report Post » mtnclimberjim  
  • Moozmom
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 7:10am

    So, I went to work as usual to be sure to get payroll done for the employees; I stayed and answered phones. My doctor appointment was at 3 PM at which I was sent to the hospital and gave birth at 7 PM to a healthy 7# 7 oz boy. No problem-I read Taylor Caldwell until taken to the delivery room and after Michael was born, I ate a cheeseburger and fries, then slept like a “baby”.
    We are built for birth.

    Report Post »  
  • American_Woman
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 11:17pm

    They should have named her Auto or Mercedes or Carry. Welcome to the world Willow!

    Report Post » American_Woman  
    • AOL_REFUGEE
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 11:42pm

      I pushed once and out came an Obama. What a relief, ridding myself of that POS. And, wouldn’t you know, it was only natural that it be flushed down the toilet.

      AOL_REFUGEE  
  • Canuck GB Fan
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 11:16pm

    I’m jealous! My first was induced, pushed for more than an hour, no progress then C-section. Three more C-sections after that.

    Report Post » Canuck GB Fan  
    • KangarooJack
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 11:56pm

      Naw, wait-YOU have your OWN stories to tell on those ones. I’ve sisters and nieces that have had c-sections (multiple) and 1st off you got to go through the spinal tap thing/epidirual Pray to God-on’t have migrains for the rest of your life}. Then you have had a major surgery and should NOT BE DOING ANY LIFTING OR STAIRS for weeks. Good luck on that-you got a newborn to take care of!

      You have the scaring from the cuts-my oldest sister had two C-sections back when they did verticle cuts- nieces horizontal-from each still bites as far as complications.

      Report Post » KangarooJack  
  • ThePostman
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:19pm

    He must be HUGE to enjoy the fruit of her loins. 8 pounds in one push?

    I have a million others. None of them any better.

    Report Post »  
    • DividedWeFail
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:42am

      More like she is huge in the nether region to push out an 8lb baby in one push like it was a walk in the park. .

      Report Post »  
    • 4xeverything
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 8:09am

      Skin is made to stretch, d0uchebag, and so are muscles. I’m sure the size of beer gut would be enough to tell you that!

      Report Post » 4xeverything  
  • COFemale
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:06pm

    Doctor made the mistake to go get coffee because I was only 8 cm, no sooner did he sit down I was at 10, which is the diameter to delivery a baby. He thought he had a good hour to enjoy his coffee. I was induced at 9 am and had my daughter at 12:30 am – eat lunch by 1 pm. I was starving.

    My first child I was totally asleep, as that is how they did it back in 71. Labor was 6 hours from inducement.

    Report Post » COFemale  
    • C. Schwehr
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:29am

      Military delivery story: neighbor who lived across the street from the hospital at Yokota AB (Japan) was having labor and walked over to the hospital. The quack doctor said it was false labor and she could go home….she had the baby in the elevator on the way back to their apartment….

      Report Post »  
  • klevalt
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:55pm

    Great story…. I will spare you all of my personal birth stories…. Some were this easy, some were not! God bless the little blessing!

    Report Post » klevalt  
    • KangarooJack
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:33pm

      Nice post….but, tell tell-come on-the rest of us are telling our ‘war stories’ lol lol

      My 3rd (last) I was waitressing. Walked out the swinging door with a big tray full of food. Stopped 2 feet short of the table. Happened to be Senator Jim Berryman and his wife. Stopped mid track, smiled (no pain), said “Just give me a minute”….meanwhile the local EMT/Paramedic/Ambulance team were dining mid-section. All be darn, if they weren’t taking bets on me! :)

      tell tell

      Report Post » KangarooJack  
  • VicksVaporub
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:24pm

    How come it’s illegal to use a cell phone while driving but video taping a live birth is ok.

    Report Post » VicksVaporub  
    • Sirfoldallot
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:56pm

      Drive thru baby, slippery willy, exlac realy works , no patients, hold the wheel, turn around , WTH ect ,,,,. wow. Good 4 u , glad u & the baby r okay.

      Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
  • CatB
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 8:45pm

    Personally after 2 1/2 days of induced labor and finally a c-section ……….. I hate this woman!

    Report Post »  
    • KangarooJack
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:00pm

      YOU have me beat! {Men disregard this post-this is known as a Woman’s War Story}

      My 1st born- 33 1/2 hrs. labor but ******* delivery. My sister (not my then husband, due to him vomiting when they broke my water….hence, my sister stepped in as coach) asked the battle axe nurse for meds for me…Guess what? Wasn’t a painkiller-it was a narcotic. Yep, when the doctor tossed my very beautiful baby boy upon my belly. I screamed-It looked just like the lizard baby from “V” to me.

      But you? You got me beat!

      Report Post » KangarooJack  
    • whatthecrazy
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:34pm

      I know right Catb My second and third time i could have been labled dangerous with need of phyciatric evaluation but they are so worth it and this woman, well pretty awesom………………….

      Report Post »  
  • KingCanon
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 8:37pm

    At that point I guess you turn the car around and head back home!

    Report Post » KingCanon  
    • Deb C
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:03pm

      I’ve always found it obscene to go to a stranger to have a baby.

      Report Post » Deb C  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 8:32pm

    Hey, at least she wasn’t texting and driving. That would have been bad.

    Also, could she have gotten a ticket for not having the kid in a car seat after she delivered?

    If it was rush hour, she could have used the carpool lane, after she delivered.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • larrylarrylarry
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 8:31pm

    I wonder how big her birth canal is? I strain a heck of a lot more than that just taking a dump. My face all red and flushed, sweat dripping from my forehead, the vessels in my neck and forehead throbbing from the strain, my hands white and cold from clutching at the toilet seat, me screaming and moaning, pleading with the Lord to release me from my stubborn stool.

    Report Post »  

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