A baby was born in the early hours of this Saturday, November 1st, in his parents’ car, around two hours after his mother was at the Daniel de Matos Maternity Hospital, in Coimbra, and sent home.
The woman, 38 weeks pregnant, left the hospital “on medical advice”as confirmed by a source from the Vieira de Leiria Volunteer Firefighters to Notícias ao Minuto, who broke the news.
“We were called at around 2:39 am for a birth that had already taken place in the car”, reported the commander of the Vieira de Leiria Volunteer Fire Department, Tiago Constantino, who assisted the mother and baby at the scene, to Lusa.
Hours earlier, the pregnant woman had been at the Daniel de Matos Maternity Hospital, which belongs to the Coimbra Local Health Unit, but returned home on medical advice at around 00:00.
“However, the lady felt pain again and they decided to go to the maternity ward again, but it was no longer possible”added the second fire commander, reporting that the birth was carried out by the father “practically on the doorstep”. The father has no medical training or experience.
“Both the baby and the mother were very calm”he stressed.
In addition to the Vieira de Leiria Volunteer Firefighters, an Emergency and Resuscitation Medical Vehicle (VMER) team from Leiria was also on site.
The corporation shared a photo of the operatives who participated in the incident, together with the mother and baby, on a social network.