In a dramatic and swift medical response, a 21-year-old woman delivered a healthy baby boy inside a car parked at the emergency entrance of VPS Lakeshore Hospital in Kochi on Sunday morning. The emergency medical team, led by physician Dr. Adil Ashraf, acted promptly when it became clear there was no time to move the expectant mother to the labour room.
A Race Against Time at the Hospital Entrance
The young woman had travelled from Kannur with her family to Aroor to attend a wedding function. Although her expected date of delivery was January 22, she experienced the onset of labour pains around 3 am. The family first took her to a nearby hospital in Aroor, where she was given medication to reduce contractions.
However, as the pain intensified, the family made the decision to move her to VPS Lakeshore Hospital in Kochi. By around 8 am, upon arriving at the hospital premises, she went into advanced labour. The situation escalated rapidly at the emergency department's doorstep.
Swift Decision by Emergency Doctor
Emergency physician Dr. Adil Ashraf rushed to the scene and found the baby was already in the process of being born. Assessing the critical timing, Dr. Ashraf made a crucial judgement call. He determined that any attempt to move the patient inside the hospital building could risk serious complications for both mother and child.
"By the time the patient reached the emergency entrance, the baby was already coming out," explained Dr. Ashraf. "Any attempt to move her further could have led to complications, so the delivery was conducted immediately at the spot." With no time to spare, the doctor proceeded to conduct the delivery safely inside the car itself.
Mother and Newborn in Stable Condition
Following the successful impromptu delivery, the new mother was shifted to the labour room for essential postnatal care. The newborn baby boy was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for standard observation and monitoring.
Hospital authorities have confirmed that both the mother and her newborn son are stable and doing well. This positive outcome highlights the importance of quick thinking and adaptability in emergency medical situations, where protocol sometimes must be set aside for immediate, life-preserving action.
The incident underscores the unpredictable nature of childbirth and the critical role of experienced emergency responders in ensuring safety outside traditional clinical settings.
