3rd birth on LRT this year; time to train employees on midwifery

It’s becoming a recurrent emergency, so they might as well be specially trained for it.

A free training program on how to assist at childbirth is in the works for the employees of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), as another mother gave birth Thursday morning while taking the overhead railway system. It was the third “special delivery” on an LRT train or station this year.

A baby girl was born on a coach of LRT Line 2 as it ran from Legarda to Recto stations around 8:50 a.m., according to LRTA spokesperson Hernando Cabrera.

The mother, who was accompanied by her parents, asked not to be identified, Cabrera said.

A nurse who was among the passengers and identified only as Anna assisted in the delivery, he added.

When the train reached Recto station, Dr. Edgardo Aguas, a member the LRTA staff, boarded and provided assistance after being alerted through radio.

Cabrera said the mother and her newborn were both in good condition when later brought to Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila.

“This may be the first time in so many years (to have a childbirth on Line 2) because it usually happens on Line 1,” Cabrera said, noting that one to three babies are born on LRT trains or stations every year.

A group of doctors from Philippine General Hospital has offered to hold a free seminar on how to attend to women in labor for LRT staff members, especially the security personnel, Cabrera said.

“We’ve been planning to hold this free training,” he said. ‘’We’re working on the administration’s approval. Hopefully it will push through.”