AUSTIN, Texas – While most of us were waking up and getting ready for work Thursday morning, one Texas couple was busy welcoming a new addition to their family in a rare way.
Unable to wait, Julieta Martinez was born on the side of the road, blocks from the hospital.
In a call to 911, father-to-be Luiz Martinez said, "Yeah, we're having a baby. I'm on 35 by the airport exit right now."
Jazmin Martinez's baby wasn't due until Sunday. Little did she know, little Julieta had other plans.
"Is she awake?" The 911 operator asked.
"Yeah the baby's out ohhh!" Luiz replied.
With no time to spare, Luiz was in unfamiliar territory.
"Luiz, gently wipe off the baby's mouth and nose," the dispatch operator instructed.
"Alright, alright she's crying now," Luiz said.
At 4:55 a.m. along I-35, just a few blocks from the hospital, Julietta was born.
"It's OK. It's OK baby. It's OK mommy. It's OK," Luiz could be heard saying in the 911 recording.
Following the 911 dispatcher's advice, Luiz tied the umbilical cord with his headphone cord and calmed his wife down.
When medics arrived six minutes later, Luiz had already delivered an 8 pound 1 ounce healthy baby girl.
"It was a crazy morning. I was freaking out. She took it like a champ," Luiz said.
The Martinez family said they can't wait to tell Julieta how she came into the world.
"It was an awesome experience. A crazy awesome experience." Luiz said.