A woman from Karwar gave birth in the toilet of the Udupi railway station on Tuesday.
Vijaya (35) had boarded a train from Kumta in Uttara Kannada district to visit her relative, who was in a Manipal hospital.
She alighted at Udupi at about 7.30 a.m. As she was in pain and her legs were swollen, she decided to rest at the platform. Around 9.30 a.m., Ms. Vijaya went to the toilet, where in the throes of labour, she delivered a boy.
Later, at the District Maternity and Children’s Hospital where she and the newborn have been admitted, Ms. Vijaya told The Hindu , “I was frightened when I delivered the baby in the toilet. However, I regained composure soon, came out and told two women who were waiting to inform the railway authorities.” Station officials and the police called a 108 ambulance and a social worker, Vishu Shetty. Mr. Shetty came to the station and rushed her and the newborn to the District Maternity and Children’s Hospital. “Both the mother and the baby are healthy and safe,” said District Surgeon Mahendra.
Ms. Vijaya’s husband, Raju Harikantra, is a fisherman and works at Malpe Fisheries Harbour here.
“My husband is out at the sea fishing. He is expected to reach Malpe harbour on Wednesday. He has already called me thrice on the phone ...,” said Ms. Vijaya, who has delivered her two sons — Pramod (8) and Prashanth (4) — at home.
