'COVID-19 Positive' Pregnant Woman Gives Birth in Ambulance During 120km Transfer from Haenam to Suncheon

A pregnant woman who gave birth in a 119 ambulance. / Photo by Haenam Fire Station, Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] A pregnant woman diagnosed with COVID-19 safely gave birth in a 119 ambulance with the help of paramedics.

According to Haenam Fire Station in Jeollanam-do on the 21st, a report was received around 10:35 a.m. on the 18th that a pregnant woman, Ms. A, living in Haenam-eup, had started labor pains and bleeding since the previous day.

Six minutes after receiving the report, paramedics from Haenam Fire Station arrived at the scene wearing Level D protective suits, assessed Ms. A's condition, provided emergency treatment inside the ambulance, and requested a hospital bed from the control center and public health center.

Although there was some delay in selecting the hospital for transfer, a hospital in Suncheon, 120 km away from Haenam, was assigned.

During the transfer to the hospital, regular labor contractions were observed and the newborn's head became visible, prompting rapid measures inside the vehicle. The ambulance was equipped with delivery equipment for emergencies, and remote guidance was received from an obstetrics specialist at the receiving hospital.

The paramedics successfully delivered a healthy baby at 11:17 a.m., 26 minutes after departing the scene. After the birth, about 100 km remained to reach the assigned hospital in Suncheon.

The paramedics carefully maintained the body temperature of both the mother and baby to prevent hypothermia, monitored the mother's condition under the guidance of the obstetrician, and safely arrived at the hospital.

The 119 paramedics said, "Regular emergency treatment training and practice with mannequins with the paramedics were a great help," adding, "It was a precious experience to be part of the moment a life is born."