Baby is born in a fire ambulance: “I didn’t want to wait any longer”

Uthe woman gave birth to the beginning of the night of Monday, November 2, in an ambulance of the Volunteer Firefighters of Oliveira Hospital. 

The good news was given through a publication on the social network Facebook of the firefighters of Oliveira do Hospital, explaining that, by 8:15 pm, “they were triggered for an emergency at the border of the county, between Bobadela and Vila Nova de Oliveirinha”. 

“ In response to the call, our firefighters Rodrigo B2.a and Mauro B2.a promptly moved to the place, where they found a pregnant woman with contractions every three minutes ", indicate. 

After making a first evaluation, the firefighters “ immediately provided the necessary assistance and requested differentiated support from the Urgent Patient Guidance Center (CODU)”.

“ But the baby decided she didn't want to wait anymore! Still close to the mother's residence, and already on board the ambulance of the Volunteer Firefighters Oliveira do Hospital, happened the most special moment: the baby was born! ", continue. 

For the Volunteer Firefighters of Oliveira do Hospital, “it was a unique and exciting experience that will be forever marked in their journeys as firefighters, it was a rescue mission at a truly special time.”. 

Parted in ambulances more than doubled in 2025

At least 60 babies were born in ambulances in Portugal in 2025 alone. This is an increase of 114%, since in 2024 28 births had been registered in these circumstances, according to data from the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) sent to the public. There's still 23 births on the public road.

Of all deliveries in ambulances and public roads, almost half (36) occurred in the region of Lisbon and Vale do Tejo.

In January, however, the Minister of Health, Ana Paula Martins, argued that the number of births outside the hospitals in Portugal is similar to that of the last decade, most occurring at home.

“ The numbers are similar to the last years, except for the pandemic in which there were more extra-hospital deliveries, for the reasons that are understood. Therefore, there is no major change in the number of out-of-hospital deliveries. That is, the number is significantly the same as in the last decade,” the minister said after attending the “Future Health in Europe” conference in Porto.

According to Ana Paula Martins, “most of the out-of-hospital deliveries do not occur on the public road, fortunately, nor do they occur in ambulances. It occurs at home”, adding that, for this reason, “INEM [National Institute of Medical Emergency] ends up being called to solve situations that are complicated”.