A premature baby born at home and declared stillborn by a doctor was found to be alive while being prepared for burial when the funeral director found a heartbeat.
The 18-year-old mother, who has not been named, asked for medical help in the municipality of Ariquemes in the Brazilian state Rondonia on Monday, 27th December.
(Newsflash)
Local media report that the mother was unaware of the pregnancy and went to hospital twice after feeling severe pain.
According to her family, she was sent back home on both occasions by the medics, who reportedly did not notice that she was pregnant.
While at home, the pain started to increase and she reportedly delivered the baby without medical help.
The baby was born in the fifth month of pregnancy and weighed one kilogramme (2 lbs 3 oz). It was declared stillborn by the doctors when they went to the hospital.
The funeral director, who has not been named, was called to come to the hospital to take the baby’s body and prepare it for the funeral.
(Newsflash)
He collected the body at around 3am on Tuesday. A few hours later, while he was carrying out the procedures for the burial, he noticed that the baby sighed and that its heart was beating.
He immediately took the baby to hospital, and the newborn was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for treatment.
The baby’s health status is currently unclear. Its gender is also unclear.
The family and the funeral home have reportedly filed a police report. The investigation is ongoing.
(Newsflash)
To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below.
Story By: Marija Stojkoska, Sub-Editor: William McGee,  Agency: Newsflash
The Ananova page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.
