Highway Baby's Mom Thought Contractions Were False Alarm

Mother was going to the hospital at 4 a.m. when baby was born on I-8 near Dunbar Lane

A woman who delivered her baby along a highway in El Cajon didn’t consider her contractions the real thing according to her father-in-law.

The baby, Rex, and his mother, Adrelly, were doing well Wednesday when Bill Pruitt spoke with NBC 7 San Diego.

Adrelly was on her way to the hospital at 4 a.m. when Rex was born on Interstate 8 near Dunbar Lane in El Cajon.

“The baby came so quick she was asking her mom to pull over and the next thing she knows, it’s there,” Pruitt said.

The baby’s proud grandfather said his daughter-in-law thought she was having Braxton Hicks contractions. Her doctor told her to head to the hospital to get checked out but Rex just couldn't wait that long.

Even though the baby was expected this week, Pruitt said he was surprised to learn Rex arrived this way.

“I said ‘But I thought you were going to call and tell us when you went to the hospital,’” Pruitt recalled. “And she said ‘Well gee Dad, I'm on my way right now.’”

The ride to the hospital was just 20 minutes and by the time paramedics got to the car Rex was already here.

"Just healthy as he can be, there is not a thing wrong with him,” Pruitt said laughing.

Pruitt said one nice advantage of such an unusual birth is that he and his wife can see the outcome from Spokane, Washington. 

They weren't able to make it to San Diego because his wife is undergoing chemotherapy. Thankfully cameras were rolling.

"It was so neat seeing the videos and in a way almost being there,” he said. 

Mother and son were resting at Grossmont Hospital after his delivery. The child’s father just joined the military and was away for training.

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