A couple heading to Reston Hospital Center to deliver their baby Monday morning instead found themselves welcoming their daughter into the world on the shoulder of the Dulles Toll Road.

Sarah Bergeaux of Leesburg was not due until April 4. But when she began to feel contractions before dawn on Monday, she suggested to her husband, Jean-Paul, perhaps he should return from his gym workout and take her to the hospital.

By the time they were set to go — and had friends in place to watch their 21-month-old son — Sarah was in labor.

They were on the toll road heading to Reston and baby Noelle could wait no more. Jean-Paul had 911 on the line, but the baby was born — with lights flashing and parents praying — near the flyover lane at Route 28.

Morning traffic was backed up, including in the Herndon area, while an ambulance reached the couple. The ambulance arrived within minutes to take mother and baby to Reston Hospital. Both are doing fine.

"Jean-Paul says 'I didn't deliver the baby, Sarah did,'" said hospital spokeswoman Melissa Ozmar. "They say they feel very blessed that everyone is happy and healthy."