A 39-week pregnant woman experiencing contractions was reportedly sent home from the Hospital de Santo André in Leiria, despite living over 100 kilometers away, following an initial transfer by ambulance to the closed Hospital das Caldas da Rainha.
The incident was reported on Monday, November 10. The 25-year-old, in labor with contractions every three minutes, was urgently transported by ambulance from Almeirim to Leiria on Sunday night.
After spending several hours at the hospital, she was discharged on Monday morning with instructions to return home, located 103 kilometers away.
The hospitalization decision in Leiria was made by the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS) after she contacted SNS24 at 8:16 PM on Sunday seeking help.
The ambulance was directed to take the woman to the Hospital das Caldas da Rainha. “Upon arrival, the hospital’s gynecology emergency was closed,” explained the woman’s father.
The ambulance was then ordered to head to Leiria. Based on the firefighters’ report on her condition, it was decided to accompany her with a Medical Emergency and Resuscitation Vehicle (VMER).
The woman was admitted to the Hospital de Santo André in Leiria and stayed overnight. However, the following morning she was informed of her discharge and instructed to return home on her own.
She contacted her parents who went to the Leiria hospital but refused to take her home by car, feeling that she was in active labor.
The woman remained at the hospital and gave birth early Tuesday morning.
The Administration Board of the Local Health Unit of the Leiria Region (ULSRL), responsible for the Hospital de Santo André, refuted the news, stating it was false and distorted.
The administration emphasized that the patient was evaluated by an obstetrician and was found clinically stable with no criteria for admission. Therefore, the discharge was based on proper medical guidelines.
However, after organizing her return home with family, she remained on the premises. Upon re-evaluation due to new symptoms, she was re-admitted to the hospital at 12:15 PM and kept under continuous medical observation.
The spontaneous rupture of membranes occurred at 8 PM, with continued obstetric monitoring. The delivery had not happened by 10 PM on Monday, November 10.
The ULSRL reaffirmed its confidence in the medical and nursing team, ensuring the standards of care were met, prioritizing safety for the mother and child.
The following day, it was confirmed that the baby was born safely at 5:30 AM on November 11. The decision to not travel over 100 kilometers ensured a safe delivery at the hospital.
Mother and baby are healthy and remain hospitalized in Leiria.
