Woman gives birth solo in front yard

FULLERTON, Calif., Aug. 14 (UPI) -- A Fullerton, Calif., woman said she gave birth without assistance on the front lawn of her home after driving home from the mall.

Jessica Higgins, 36, said the baby began coming out while she was driving a car Tuesday that was occupied only by herself and her 2-year-old son, Blaine, the Orange County (Calif.) Register reported Thursday.

"I was on hold with the doctor's office when the baby started coming," Higgins said. "I quickly called 911 on the cell phone, but Mary Claire was already out when police and paramedics arrived," she said of her newborn daughter.

Officer Manny Ramos said he arrived on the scene shortly after the birth.

"I couldn't believe how calm Mrs. Higgins was," Ramos said. "She was just standing in the driveway rocking the newborn, who was still attached to the placenta."

Higgins said her husband, Jeff, arrived home just in time to cut the umbilical cord in the front yard of the home.

The mother and Mary Claire were taken to St. Jude Medical Center. The newborn, who was six weeks premature, weighed 5 pounds, 11 ounces.