On 8/2, Dr. Nguyen Thang Nhat Tue, Head of Emergency Department, Gia An 115 Hospital, stated that when the pre-hospital emergency team arrived at the 33-year-old pregnant woman's home in Tan Tao ward, TP HCM, the newborn was already blue, with no heartbeat or breathing. All resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.

"The team brought both the mother and child to the hospital for postpartum care for the mother, but the baby did not survive," Dr. Tue said.

The family reported that the pregnant woman began having abdominal pain at 11 p.m. the previous night. By 2 a.m. the next morning, the pains intensified, and she gave birth at home. In a panic, instead of calling emergency medical services, the family booked a ride-hailing service to go to the hospital. When the driver arrived and saw the baby was blue, he quickly called Emergency Center 115 for help.

According to Dr. Tue, this was not an unavoidable accident but a tragic incident due to a lack of pregnancy knowledge. The prolonged abdominal pain was the body's "cry for help" that was ignored. The delay and inappropriate transportation method cost the premature baby its fragile chance at life.

Two days prior, this same pre-hospital emergency team also handled one similar unattended birth case at the 36th week of pregnancy, fortunately saving the baby. Doctors noted such cases often occur in disadvantaged families, those engaged in heavy labor, who have infrequent prenatal check-ups, or lack knowledge of labor signs.

115 TP HCM ambulance. *Photo: Hoang Viet*.

Unattended birth carries many dangerous complications for both mother and child. Newborns may suffer respiratory distress, circulatory failure, and sepsis due to an unsanitary environment. Mothers face risks of postpartum hemorrhage, perineal tears, and life-threatening conditions.

Doctors advise pregnant women to have regular prenatal check-ups to predict their due date. When abnormal signs appear, such as abdominal pain, bleeding, or amniotic fluid leakage, they must go to a facility with obstetrics and pediatrics specialists immediately. They should never self-diagnose or delay at home.

In emergencies like unattended birth, ruptured membranes, or a blue newborn, people should immediately call Emergency 115. Doctors emphasize not to call personal cars or ride-hailing services, as drivers lack medical equipment and resuscitation skills. Professional support during transport is often the decisive factor for survival.

Le Phuong