PAPD Officers Help Woman Give Birth Near Holland Tunnel Entrance
JERSEY CITY (CBSNewYork/AP) -- It appears that one baby couldn't wait to be born!
Port Authority police came to the aid of a New York City woman who gave birth on the Jersey City side of the Holland Tunnel.
CBS 2's Jessica Schneider met with the family Monday evening.
Ying Chen and Kai Tang, who live together in Brooklyn, had been in Philadelphia and were headed home to meet with their doctor Monday with their cousin behind the wheel. Suddenly, Chen, 21, went into labor.
"I was holding my wife's hand to try to tell her to relax, to try to breathe. Even I was very nervous and scared," Tang said.
"I was very scared," Chen said through an interpreter. "I was afraid baby was going to have a problem."
The family pulled off the road around 6:45 a.m. near the tunnel's entrance in Jersey City and sought help, attracting the attention of Officers Catherine Prior and Luis Alvardo.
The pair assisted Chen and called for an ambulance.
After obtaining an obstetrical kit and oxygen from the PAPD Post Booth, Officer Matthew Smith, who also is an EMT, soon responded and was able to clamp and cut the infant's umbilical cord.
He also secured the placenta for transport to Jersey City Medical Center.
"I was not expecting I would have a baby so soon at all," Chen said. "My first baby took me more than 10 hours, so my experience, I was scared more than anything."
The baby, appropriately enough, was named Holly.
"Baby delivered right in front of Holland Tunnel -- so it's a very special experience, so I specifically named her Holly for the special meaning," Chen said.
Chen and her daughter were taken to a hospital, where both were in good condition.
Baby Holly has an older brother waiting for at home. There is just an 11-month age gap between the two.
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