Florida Rescuers Deliver Baby in Publix Parking Lot

Palm Bay Fire Rescue crews were in the right place at the right time when an expectant mother went into labor in the parking lot of a grocery store Thursday.

Firefighters and paramedics were making a daily food run at the Publix on Palm Bay Road when they were summoned to deliver a baby over the public address system inside the store.

Already parked in the fire lane in front of the store, the mother prematurely gave birth to a baby girl that was due May 28.

When the paramedics arrived, the baby's head was already out. The rescue crew assisted the new mother with the delivery, which took only a few minutes. They also assisted the mother with normal post-partum medical issues until she and the baby could be transported to the hospital.

Paramedics cleaned and wrapped the baby and checked her heart rate. They said she was sucking her thumb and crying.

Paul Davidson, an emergency medical technician who responded to the incident, said the birth was fast and efficient.

"It happened very quickly," Davidson said. "Mom did a great job, and fortunately, we just happened to be in the right place at the right time."

Both the mom and baby were transported to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne.

The baby weighed 6.5 pounds and measured 19 inches long.

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