This baby didn't wait until the hospital to make her way into the world.
Deanna and Jonathan Gilbert's new baby, Payton, and new big sister Taylor, 6, gather in a room at Community General hospital in Syracuse. Payton was born in Skaneateles along Route 20 while on the way to the hospital Saturday night. Jason Rearick / The Citizen
Deanna Gilbert had been in labor on and off for a couple of weeks, but was able to doze off Saturday night as usual. However, the 31-year-old woke up about 11 p.m. with sharp pains.
She knew the pain this time was the real thing.
The Gilberts left their Union Springs home quickly, realizing the delivery was close. As they began driving to Community Hospital in Syracuse, Deanna's husband Jonathan called the Cayuga County 911 Center from his cell phone at 11:30 p.m. to request help while driving between Auburn and Skaneateles on Rt. 20.
The baby wasn't going to wait.
The 911 Center transferred his call to the Skaneateles Police Department dispatcher, who was in contact with John throughout the delivery and drive.
Jonathan kept driving until the baby was crowning.
"I was yelling at him, 'Pull over! Pull over!' said Deanna. She convinced Jonathan to pull over a quarter mile west of County Line Road, just east of Skaneateles Suites. Jonathan jumped in the back seat and helped with the birth.
Payton Gilbert was officially born Saturday night at 11:43 p.m. in a Honda Odyssey caravan on the side of Route 20.
Dispatcher Todd Hall heard the baby start crying over the telephone after being delivered, Skaneateles Police Chief Jack McNeil said.
"It doesn't happen every day," McNeil said. "What was good about this was the baby was born, the baby was fine, there were no complications."
The Gilberts' doctor, Sarah Luthringer, had told them to be prepared and to have blanket and towels ready in the van with them.
Calm was the order of the night despite the unusual location of Payton's birth.
"My husband was good. He was pretty calm. Both of us were pretty calm," Deanna said. Payton is the Gilberts' third child after their daughter Taylor, 6, and a son Mason, 3. Jonathan is a dairy farmer, and Deanna works in merchandising for a Marshall's store in Fairmount.
Skaneateles Police Officer Martin Stevens arrived just after the baby was born and assisted until the arrival of SAVES medic David Shalala. Shalala let Jonathan cut the umbilical cord.
SAVES medical staff transported Deanna and Payton by ambulance to the hospital. Jonathan then followed separately in his "delivery vehicle," as McNeil coined it.
"They were shocked when we pulled in the hospital," Deanna said.
Payton weighed 9 pounds 3 ounces at the time of birth and is healthy.
"She's a big, healthy girl," Deanna said. Deanna and Payton are expected to be released from the hospital later today.
She knew the pain this time was the real thing.
The Gilberts left their Union Springs home quickly, realizing the delivery was close. As they began driving to Community Hospital in Syracuse, Deanna's husband Jonathan called the Cayuga County 911 Center from his cell phone at 11:30 p.m. to request help while driving between Auburn and Skaneateles on Rt. 20.
The baby wasn't going to wait.
The 911 Center transferred his call to the Skaneateles Police Department dispatcher, who was in contact with John throughout the delivery and drive.
Jonathan kept driving until the baby was crowning.
"I was yelling at him, 'Pull over! Pull over!' said Deanna. She convinced Jonathan to pull over a quarter mile west of County Line Road, just east of Skaneateles Suites. Jonathan jumped in the back seat and helped with the birth.
Payton Gilbert was officially born Saturday night at 11:43 p.m. in a Honda Odyssey caravan on the side of Route 20.
Dispatcher Todd Hall heard the baby start crying over the telephone after being delivered, Skaneateles Police Chief Jack McNeil said.
"It doesn't happen every day," McNeil said. "What was good about this was the baby was born, the baby was fine, there were no complications."
The Gilberts' doctor, Sarah Luthringer, had told them to be prepared and to have blanket and towels ready in the van with them.
Calm was the order of the night despite the unusual location of Payton's birth.
"My husband was good. He was pretty calm. Both of us were pretty calm," Deanna said. Payton is the Gilberts' third child after their daughter Taylor, 6, and a son Mason, 3. Jonathan is a dairy farmer, and Deanna works in merchandising for a Marshall's store in Fairmount.
Skaneateles Police Officer Martin Stevens arrived just after the baby was born and assisted until the arrival of SAVES medic David Shalala. Shalala let Jonathan cut the umbilical cord.
SAVES medical staff transported Deanna and Payton by ambulance to the hospital. Jonathan then followed separately in his "delivery vehicle," as McNeil coined it.
"They were shocked when we pulled in the hospital," Deanna said.
Payton weighed 9 pounds 3 ounces at the time of birth and is healthy.
"She's a big, healthy girl," Deanna said. Deanna and Payton are expected to be released from the hospital later today.
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