The Southern and Eastern Voluntary Firefighters experienced a “night of strong emotions” on Saturday as they assisted two pregnant women in giving birth before reaching the hospital in the Barreiro area of Setúbal.
“A night of strong emotions! Last night, one of our pre-hospital emergency teams was dispatched for two special services via the Emergency Patient Guidance Center (CODU),” the corporation explained in a Facebook post this Sunday.
The rescuers noted, “in both cases, the babies decided there was no time to waste and came into the world with [their] help before reaching the hospital.”
“These were two unexpected births, but they were handled with professionalism, calmness, and heart.” Both mothers and newborns are in good health, which fills us with pride and joy,” the organization added.
The corps also wished “the families the greatest happiness and a long and healthy life for the newest inhabitants of the world” and thanked their team “for once again showing the true spirit of the Southern and Eastern Firefighters.”
At least 34 babies were born in ambulances until this June, according to reports shared by fire brigades on social media. However, the number may be higher, as not all incidents are publicized by rescuers.
Bianca went into labor inside the instruction car while taking her driving test at the Tábua Examination Center. She was assisted on-site, and the baby was born in an ambulance on the way to the maternity ward.
Márcia Guímaro Rodrigues | 10:16 – 26/06/2025
In April, Health Minister Ana Paula Martins stated that it is necessary to ensure fewer babies are born in ambulances, although she noted that similar situations have always occurred.
“The goal is to have fewer babies born in ambulances, particularly through well-monitored pregnancies.” If there is one area where we have distinguished ourselves over the past 45 years, it is in maternal and child health, and thus we need to ensure these indicators are maintained,” she said, following a visit to the Santa Cruz Hospital, part of the Western Lisbon Local Health Unit.
When asked about the growing number of births in ambulances and data indicating roughly fifty births in these rescue vehicles last year, Ana Paula Martins pointed out that this phenomenon has always happened and will continue to occur as it is not always avoidable.
“But naturally, it is not our objective in any way,” she said.
Health Minister Ana Paula Martins stated this Wednesday that it is necessary to ensure fewer babies are born in ambulances, but acknowledged that similar situations have always existed.
Lusa | 18:25 – 23/04/2025
