A newborn in New Jersey made her grand entrance into the world ahead of schedule on the Garden State Parkway.
Amelia Charlotte will have an incredible birthday story to tell for years to come after being born on New Jersey’s longest highway while her parents were en route to have her delivered on Nov. 21.
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“I was terrified, a little scared,” her mother, Joanna Elswick, told WPVI in an interview published on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Elswick and Amelia’s father, James Marsden, were traveling along the Garden State Parkway when they realized Amelia was not going to wait until they reached the hospital.
The parents were making an almost hour-long drive from Cape May to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Galloway Township when the baby girl decided now was the time.
Marsden pulled their vehicle over and called 911 from the side of the road while Elswick was in labor.
“We had to wait for the state trooper to get there, and by the time he got there, I was already pushing,” Elswick told WPVI. “Luckily, the EMT got there just in time to deliver the baby.”
Amelia arrived at 9:18 p.m., weighing 8 lbs. and 7 oz.
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Seaville Volunteer Fire Company Deputy Chief Brian Allegretto assisted with the birth, along with Upper Township first responders.
“She had her feet up on the dashboard. She was having contractions. I checked her out. There was crowning. No head was visible at that point,” Allegretto told WPVI of helping Elswick through the process. “I thought we were going to have a little bit more time.”
Despite Amelia’s unconventional arrival, Allegretto said he couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.
“Everything worked out,” he said. “Everything was good. The baby was healthy. You can’t ask for anything more than that.”
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The story was beautiful in contrast to some of the cases they get called out for, Allegretto said, adding, “We’re so used to seeing death and destruction, and it’s nice to see a life being brought into the world.”
“We want to thank all of them so very much because, without them, I don’t know if she would be here,” Marsden said. “I’m glad she’s happy and healthy, and she came out amazing, and she’s doing amazing.”
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