▲ 119 Ambulance
A newborn baby delivered at just 31 weeks of pregnancy inside a moving ambulance on the way to a hospital has successfully recovered following emergency treatment by 119 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and medical staff.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters, on August 1 at around 9:40 PM, a pregnant woman identified as A, who experienced bleeding during her pregnancy, requested assistance from 119 while heading to an obstetrics and gynecology clinic in a personal vehicle with her husband.
The call was made because contractions and bleeding continued while their vehicle was delayed by traffic congestion on the Bukbu Expressway near Muk-dong, Jungnang-gu.
Firefighters Lee Seung-min, Lee Si-sung, and Kim Young-jin of the Mangu 119 Safety Center under the Jungnang Fire Station, who were dispatched following the report, checked the condition of the expectant mother and immediately headed toward a hospital.
As labor became imminent during transport, the EMTs requested medical guidance from an EMS medical director and prepared for delivery inside the ambulance.
Shortly after, at around 10:15 PM, A gave birth to the child at 31 weeks of pregnancy inside the ambulance.
The newborn showed weak spontaneous breathing and sluggish responses to stimuli.
Following the medical instructions, the EMTs immediately performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and continued necessary emergency procedures for the mother.
The baby, whose spontaneous breathing had not returned inside the ambulance, finally began to breathe on its own just before being handed over to medical staff upon arrival at the hospital.
After receiving treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit for about 50 days, the baby was discharged in healthy condition.
This heartwarming story came to light on September 21 after the baby's guardian posted a message of gratitude on the Seoul Metropolitan Government website.
The guardian shared, I still remember how they carefully monitored the child's condition until the end despite the unexpected childbirth situation, and calmly explained things to me as the guardian to help me feel at ease.
Firefighters Lee Seung-min, Lee Si-sung, and Kim Young-jin, who were dispatched at the time, stated, We simply did what we had to do, adding, Hearing the news that the baby has recovered and been discharged is the greatest reward as firefighters.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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