Woman Gives Birth on F Train Platform

They should name the adorable little bundle of superpredator "F Train".

Thank you Doctor BHitler for all that info. It's amazing the information one can find here and on Wikipedia.

The last thing you want to is to be taken to some crappy hospital and deliver your baby with a bunch of strangers.

Actually, I think the last thing you want is to have your baby on a subway platform.

Given the annual commuter challenge, maybe they should've bought a tandem bike.

mihow,

Thanks for your great comments... sometimes it's rare to read info of value on this site and as an expectant mom (due Oct) this is a big worry for me as I work relatively far from my hospital of my choice for the birth...and although I keep hearing it takes firstborns hours to arrive, I would like to be as prepared as possible.

I had a baby almost a year ago. I took the birthing courses offered through our hospital. I'm not suggesting that this is what happened to this couple, but having been there (meaning, having to decide the best way to get to the hospital when the time comes) I can understand how this could happen. Contrary to what some folks are suggesting, this doesn't automatically mean that they are going to be awful parents.

For your first baby, you are told hundreds of times during pregnancy "Don't worry! You're going to have SO much time from the time contractions start to get to the hospital!"

So many first time mothers get freaked about how they are going to get to the hospital in time. Because of that fear, doctors constantly reassure women that it takes hours (sometimes days!) of contracting before birth takes place. In this case? Not so much.

I worried about taking a cab during rush hour and getting stuck in the tunnel (I live in Greenpoint and had to go to New York Presbyterian). I worried about getting stuck in traffic on the bridge. I worried about everything. But I was told not to. In fact, they said they often send women home.

Also, to those suggesting an ambulance? That's not an option. Unless you want to deliver your baby at the hospital said ambulance is dispatched. You do not get to choose where an ambulance takes you. You have to go to whatever place is nearest. Most mothers have doctors picked out, hospitals, etc. The last thing you want to is to be taken to some crappy hospital and deliver your baby with a bunch of strangers. Unless, of course, it's an emergency.

All that said, I would not have opted for the subway, but I can see why folks might think they have a whole hell of a lot more time given what you're told. We took Northside (please hold!) and got there in PLENTY of time.

P.S. Please go easy on the personal attacks, I'm just trying to give another point of view as a first time mother and recent laborer. :]

so now, would this create the same potential for flooding that comes anytime it rains more than an inch in the city?

*rimshot*

that baby probably got more attention on the platform than she would have received at bellevue.

Great. Something else to look out for on my daily F train commute. Amniotic fluid and afterbirth on the seats.

Sounds like they waited too long as well, or maybe mom has been douching with vaseline.

I would rather give birth in a cab than on a train platform.

The article has a picture of both mother and child. I love happy endings. *Sniff

"..a husband relied on the MTA to get his wife to the hospital"

1st Mistake

"We were going to Bellevue Hospital,.."

2nd Mistake

#5 - healthy guess

What a cheap bastard, trying to save 20 bucks by putting his wife on the subway.

#4: And be like what? Every other NYCer and have the mother end up giving birth in the cab?

Good to hear everything went well for the parents and that the baby came out alright.

BH, How did you know the newborn was female and black?

And by the way her name is Soleil and she is healthy. Congrats to the all the passengers that helped.

The guy couldn't spring for a cab? Or call an ambulance?

I bet that amniotic fluid never gets washed away

That's a rather poor first parenting decision. I pray for the future of the child.