A baby was born in the parents’ car early Saturday morning, just hours after the mother left the Maternity Daniel de Matos, part of the Unidade Local de Saúde (ULS) of Coimbra, on “medical advice.”
A source from the Vieira de Leiria Volunteer Firefighters told Notícias ao Minuto that the woman, who was 38 weeks pregnant, had visited the maternity where she was being monitored on Friday and had returned home “around midnight on medical advice.”
Soon after, “the woman reportedly experienced more pain.” Accompanied by her partner, the couple intended to head back to the maternity in their car, but “barely left home.”
The child was born in the vehicle, with the delivery assisted by the father, who, according to the source, had no medical training or experience.
Only after the birth, around 2:39 a.m., did the couple contact the firefighters for assistance.
In a Facebook post, the Vieira de Leiria Volunteer Firefighters shared a photo of the four operatives who responded to the scene with the mother and newborn.
“This morning we were called to assist a newborn,” the firefighters started in their post. “The little hero of the night couldn’t wait and decided to arrive in the world before our team’s arrival,” they added.
Besides the firefighters, a VMER team from Leiria was also at the scene, “ensuring all care for the mother and baby.” The post further noted that both mother and newborn are well.
Notícias ao Minuto contacted Maternity Daniel de Matos for more details on this case and is awaiting a response.
[Updated at 15:31]
