Roadside delivery: Nova Scotia baby born in family car
A Nova Scotia family’s baby delivery story is sure to be shared for many years to come.
Tracy Cooper, who was nine months pregnant, started to have contractions on Thursday, so she called 911.
“They said they were not sure when an ambulance could get to us,” said Tracy.
Tracy and her husband, James Cooper, began to drive from Greenwood, N.S., to the hospital in Kentville, N.S.
“And I said, 'You have to pull over, this baby is not going to wait,'" said Tracy, as she described the drive.
After pulling to the side of the road, James frantically waved down Kim Fortune who was driving down the same road.
“I thought it was maybe somebody with a flat tire," said Fortune. “Tracy had said, 'I can feel the head,' and I said, 'Nope, this can’t be happening.'"
As a social worker who deals with crisis situations, Fortune knew how to keep her cool.
“I said I can keep her calm for about 10 minutes," said Fortune. "This is what I’m good at.”
It was a team effort as James was on the phone with an EHS staff member.
“I put her on speakerphone," said James, adding he then relayed the delivery directions to Fortune.
“I physically delivered the baby," said Fortune.
Baby Emma was born in the front seat of the Cooper family vehicle.
An image of Baby Emma who was born in the Cooper family vehicle.
Within 10 minutes, an ambulance was on the scene.
The Coopers said their baby is healthy and calls Fortune a "saviour."
“Even after I put something on the internet and it went viral, a lot of people said, 'You were meant for this and always been a brave person,'” said James.
Fortune says it's a reminder “that good things do really happen.”
Sometimes those good things come, wrapped, in very small packages.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
2 B.C. RCMP officers charged with manslaughter in Indigenous man's 2017 death
Two RCMP officers are accused of manslaughter in the 2017 death of an Indigenous man in Prince George, B.C., prosecutors announced Wednesday.

TREND LINE | Canada's health care crisis: Who's accountable, and how can we fix an overburdened system?
On CTVNews.ca and YouTube: Health journalist Avis Favaro joins our Trend Line podcast, for an in-depth episode dedicated to the growing crises facing the Canadian health-care system.
Former CBC journalist dies after random attack on Toronto street, new suspect photo released
A long-time CBC radio producer who was the victim of a random assault in Toronto last week has died, the public broadcaster confirms.
Candice Bergen, former interim Conservative leader, resigning from Parliament
Candice Bergen, the former interim leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, is resigning from Parliament.
Mexico zoo director killed and cooked 4 pygmy goats for party
The former director of a zoo in southern Mexico killed four of the zoo's pygmy goats and served them up at a Christmas-season party, authorities said.
Canada's new anti-Islamophobia representative apologizes for comments about Quebecers
Canada's new special representative on combating Islamophobia says she is sorry that her words have hurt Quebecers.
Quebec woman stunned to find stolen Audi driven through Ontario mall in 'insane' robbery
A Quebec woman said she was very surprised to find her stolen Audi had been used in what’s being described as an “absolutely insane” Ontario mall robbery.
Food prices set to increase -- again -- as blackout on price hikes ends at some stores
Higher grocery prices are expected to hit stores across Canada soon as a blackout on price increases over the holiday season comes to an end.
'Immediately stop' wearing these sweaters and hoodies, Health Canada warns
Nearly 130,000 Helly Hansen sweaters and hoodies have been recalled in Canada due to flammability concerns.