Baby born in ambulance as Portugal sees surge in pre-hospital births

A baby was born inside an ambulance in Loures early on Tuesday morning. The unexpected delivery took place at 5:56 a.m. on Apelação Street, with volunteer firefighters from Camarate assisting the mother. Both she and the newborn were reported to be in good health afterwards. The incident is part of a growing trend in Portugal. Over ten babies have been born outside hospitals since January 2025 alone. The Lisbon and Central regions have recorded the highest number of pre-hospital births this year.

In 2024, 841 out-of-hospital births were registered—about 1.0% of the country's 84,059 total deliveries. The numbers have continued to climb in 2025, with 103 cases in the first nine months and more than 270 recorded so far. Since 2022, at least 513 such births have taken place. After the ambulance delivery in Loures, the mother and baby were transferred to Santa Maria Hospital for further medical care. The firefighters provided immediate support until the handover to hospital staff.

The rise in pre-hospital births reflects a noticeable shift in childbirth patterns across Portugal. With over 270 cases already in 2025, emergency services and medical teams remain prepared for such situations. The latest delivery in Loures ended safely, thanks to the quick response of volunteer firefighters.