Mississippi woman gives birth in hospital parking garage

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) – A Mississippi woman didn’t quite make it to the hospital in time to give birth.

Officials at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg say Magee resident Tameka Cooper was sent there Monday by her obstetrician after he determined she was in labor and not having false contractions.

However, Cooper says she made it only as far as the parking garage when her water broke and she experienced “unbearable” pain while trying to walk inside.

Hattiesburg resident Rickye Brown answered Cooper’s call for help, laying her in the back seat of her car as the baby emerged headfirst.

Brown sent his son-in-law into the hospital to seek help and says medical professionals “did the rest.”

Cooper birthed a 7-pound, 7-ounce (3.4-kilogram) girl, Jermia. The hospital says both mother and baby are thriving.

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