In the early hours of Friday 3rd January, a father in Granadilla de Abona, in the south of Tenerife, saved the life of his newborn daughter using guidance from medical staff on the telephone, as reported by the Emergency Services Coordination Centre (CECOES).
The swift actions of the baby’s father, supported by the expertise of medical professionals, averted a potentially tragic outcome.
According to the report, CECOES received a call from the father at 1:50am, who reported that his wife was in active labour at home in San Isidro. The pregnancy was full-term, and the baby was being delivered in a breech position.
Upon receiving the call, Dr. Betsy Álvarez and Nurse Alexis Hernández, coordinators at the SUC emergency operations centre, provided step-by-step instructions to assist with the birth.
Once the baby was delivered, it became clear that she was in respiratory arrest. Guided by instructions relayed over the phone, the father successfully managed to revive her. Nurse Hernández praised the father’s “concentration and calmness throughout the critical situation” saving the newborn’s life.
Minutes later, Granadilla de Abona’s Local Police and a medical team, arrived at their home. Paramedics took over care for the newborn and mother, cutting the umbilical cord and ensuring their wellbeing.
During transport to Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria, emergency personnel communicated the condition of both patients to the hospital’s Paediatrics and Gynaecology teams. Thanks to the father’s actions and the coordinated emergency response, both mother and baby arrived in good health.
This extraordinary case highlights the importance of teleassistance in emergency medical care, showcasing how the combination of calm, effective communication and expert guidance can save lives in critical moments.
