Baby born during family visit to Nebraska zoo

Dad Justin Hubbard calls the experience "truly blessed," reported KETV.

ByABC News
April 25, 2017, 2:11 PM

— -- A newborn baby made quite the entrance into world after being born during her family's Sunday trip to the zoo.

Kymica Hubbard, 24, was riding the train attraction at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium when she suddenly went into labor, she told ABC News.

"I knew I was going to have her at the zoo and that I wasn't going to make it to the hospital," she said. "I just wanted to make sure...that she was healthy.

Soon after, while in the bathroom with her mother, Hubbard knew the baby was almost there.

PHOTO: Kymica Hubbard, 24, gave birth unexpectedly to her daughter, Drea Hubbard, on April 23, 2017, at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium in Nebraska.
Kymica Hubbard, 24, gave birth unexpectedly to her daughter, Drea Hubbard, on April 23, 2017, at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium in Nebraska.

Hubbard said she walked up the hill when her water broke. Her husband, Justin Hubbard, 27, sprung into action and delivered his daughter in front of a crowd of patrons, Justin Hubbard told ABC News. An ambulance arrived minutes later, he said.

"Words cant explain it honestly," Justin Hubbard added. "I was more in shock than I was scared. I had to take control of the situation really fast."

PHOTO: Kymica Hubbard, 24, gave birth unexpectedly to her daughter, Drea Hubbard, on April 23 at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium in Nebraska.
Kymica Hubbard, 24, gave birth unexpectedly to her daughter, Drea Hubbard, on April 23 at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium in Nebraska.

Drea Hubbard, who wasn't due to arrive until Mother's Day, was born weighing 5 pounds, 5 ounces.

Dennis Pate, director and CEO of Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, said this was the first time a baby was ever born at the zoo.

“We were happy to be there to provide medical assistance from our first aid nurse and get an ambulance called quickly," Pate said in a statement released to ABC News. "Our team does practice and prepare for these types of medical emergencies.”

PHOTO: Kymica Hubbard was riding the train attraction at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium when she suddenly went into labor.
Kymica Hubbard was riding the train attraction at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium when she suddenly went into labor.

The Hubbards are scheduled to leave the University of Nebraska Medical Center today.

In the future, the couple hopes on having Drea's birthday at the zoo, they said.

"We hope when she grows up old enough, she can see where she was born," Justin Hubbard said. "I'll [tell her] 'Hey this is where dad delivered you' and the beautiful story behind it."