For some moms, the days of playing chauffeur to their kids start early, sometimes even during birth!

Approximately one in every 300 women in the U.S. has given birth en route to the hospital or clinic, according to a survey Jiffy Lube^® conducted in 2003 with Ipsos-U.S. Express.

Birthing expert Henci Goer, author of the book The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth, offers the following tips to expectant moms who want to be prepared for the unexpected.

Essentials to Keep in the Car:

• An unopened Sunday newspaper, wrapped in a plastic garbage bag. The heat from the printing presses sterilizes the paper. If you minimize the paper's exposure to the elements, you'll have a clean surface to put under the mother and protect the vehicle's upholstery.
• A charged cell phone to call 911 so help can get to you quickly. As precisely as possible, let the dispatcher know where you are and what stage of labor you're in.
• Two clean towels or blankets to keep the baby from getting chilled once it's born.

During Birth:

• Don't push, just let the baby come out naturally. As the baby starts to emerge, don't pull or tug. Put your hand out or make sure the baby will land on something else that is soft.

After the Baby is Born:

• Dry the baby off and keep it covered with a towel.
• The mother should hold the baby against her chest — skin to skin — to keep it warm. The baby's head should be slightly below its body. Make sure the baby's face is clear for breathing and not pressed into the mother's body.
• Gently wipe away any mucus, blood, or vernix (a white, creamy substance that may be found all over the baby) from the baby's nostrils or mouth.
• If the bag of water hasn't broken there will be a membrane over the baby's face when it's born. Gently tear that with your hands so the baby can breathe.
• If the baby isn't breathing right away, rub its back and talk to it. Sometimes with very rapid labors, the baby is almost in shock and might need stimulation to start breathing.
• Within a few minutes of the birth, see if the baby will nurse.
• Don't try to cut the umbilical cord. Wait until medical personnel arrive so they can cut it with a sterile scissor to prevent infection.

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