Newborn baby and mother who delivered on a public street to be released from hospital this coming Wednesday
A pregnant woman in a high-risk condition, with only one kidney, gave birth on a street in the Carregado Parish of Alenquer, Portugal, on Monday morning in early August 2025. The incident, which unfolded in a residential and commercial area, sparked an emergency response involving multiple health services.
The emergency response was initiated via a 112 call, which was forwarded to the SNS 24 Line and the Urgent Patient Guidance Centre (CODU). Details of the response reveal that the call was answered by CODU at 10:29, and a volunteer ambulance from the Alenquer Fire Department was activated at 10:33. As the nearest Emergency Medical and Resuscitation Vehicle (VMER) from Vila Franca de Xira was busy, an ambulance from the Alenquer Volunteer Fire Department and a VMER from Torres Vedras were dispatched at 10:37 and 10:37 respectively.
The mother and newborn were transported to Santarém Hospital, which is part of the Local Health Unit of Leiria, accompanied by the VMER doctor. The General Inspection of Health Activities (IGAS) has been ordered by the Health Minister to conduct an inquiry into the assistance given by SNS 24 and CODU during the incident, as well as the care provided by the Tagus Estuary Local Health Unit to the mother.
Preliminary investigations by the Ministry of Health's Shared Services (SPMS) found a human error in the application of the triage algorithm and in the referral, leading to the call not being transferred to INEM. However, the investigation overseen by IGAS seems to be the primary body conducting the inquiry, focusing on assuring proper health protocols and responsiveness were maintained in this exceptional and urgent case.
According to reports, the woman had been having breakfast at a pastry shop when she started experiencing contractions and her water broke. A resident saw a woman with her back turned, with what seemed to be blood on her dress, near a couple who ended up delivering the baby. The mother and newborn are currently at Santarém Hospital and are expected to be discharged on Wednesday.
The Minister of Health, Ana Paula Martins, has requested an investigation by the General Inspection of Health Activities (IGAS) regarding the birth incident. The Alenquer Fire Department's commander, Daniel Ribeiro, confirmed that the baby had already been born by the time they arrived and assured the safety of the mother and newborn.
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- In light of the high-risk pregnancy and medical-conditions, the emergency response involved multiple health services, including the SNS 24 Line, Urgent Patient Guidance Centre (CODU), Alenquer Fire Department, Vila Franca de Xira Emergency Medical and Resuscitation Vehicle (VMER), Alenquer Volunteer Fire Department, and Torres Vedras VMER.
- The mother and newborn, who were in a high-risk condition due to her single kidney and the unscheduled birth, are currently receiving care and health-and-wellness support at Santarém Hospital.
