Mom gives birth on Ga. 400

Mom gives birth on Ga. 400

Little Joseph Francisco wasn’t supposed to arrive for three more weeks. But he just couldn’t wait — not even for his mother to get to the hospital.

As his father, Jose Francisco, was on the phone with a 911 operator, the 7-pound, 12-ounce baby was born Monday shortly after 5 a.m. on Ga. 400 in Sandy Springs. When Sandy Springs paramedic Thomas Coleman arrived, mother Ivon Garcia, of Alpharetta, was holding the newborn in her arms, Coleman told Channel 2 Action News.

“It’s kind of weird to pull up on that,” Coleman said. “At that time, your heart drops because you see the baby.”

Joseph wasn’t breathing and was still attached to his mother when Coleman arrived. But the baby was quickly resuscitated after his mouth and nose were suctioned before he was transported to Northside Hospital, Coleman said.

Joseph’s cry was a welcome sound of relief, Coleman said. Both Joseph and his mother were resting comfortably Monday afternoon, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Garcia told hospital officials she didn’t have long labors when her first two children were born, and baby No. 3 was no different, Katherine Watson, hospital spokeswoman, told Channel 2. By the time Garcia felt a contraction, she was well into labor, Watson said.

Joseph joins big sisters Daphne Alcala, 10, and Gisselle, 5.