As the population of unhoused individuals continues to rise in Portland, the number of births occurring on the streets has also become a growing concern.
Portland Fire & Rescue reported that since February, they have responded to four pregnancy-related calls in the downtown area, with two of these calls taking place in April alone.
One notable incident involved a visibly pregnant woman in Old Town, who was found on her hands and knees after her water broke.
Lt. McKenzie Handley described the scene at 3rd and Flanders, noting the chaotic atmosphere of tents and debris, with numerous people nearby, many of whom were emotionally charged.
Emergency medical services swiftly arrived, and the woman was transported to the hospital. Yet, not all encounters with expectant mothers on the streets have concluded positively.
Handley recounted instances where the outcomes were tragic. One case involved a mother who was taken by ambulance but did not give birth during the transport, while another involved a baby that had been born outside of a tent, found to be non-viable upon arrival.
In his 18 years of service as a firefighter in Portland, Handley noted he has never encountered so many pregnancy-related calls in such a short time frame.
In September, Blair Best from The Story covered the story of a woman who assisted her friend in giving birth on a blue tarp on the street.
Fortunately, that delivery was successful, and both the mother and newborn were later taken to the hospital. However, the mother soon returned to the streets, grappling with a fentanyl addiction.
When asked about the swift return to street life, Handley expressed disappointment but understanding.
He pointed out that many mothers lacking proper prenatal care do not seek routine checkups during pregnancy, which contributes to the cycle of women returning to homelessness so soon after giving birth.
The emotional and physical toll on these unhoused mothers and their newborns is exacerbated by the harsh realities of street life.
This stress inevitably affects first responders like Handley, who witness the struggles firsthand.
“It’s sad; it’s hard,” he reflected on his experiences.
To cope with the emotional weight of such situations, first responders rely on peer support and open communication within their departments.
Handley emphasized the importance of having resources available to support each other.
In conclusion, the increase in births among Portland’s unhoused population raises significant concerns surrounding health care access, mental health, and the broader implications of a growing homelessness crisis in the city.
The stories of these mothers and their newborns underscore not only the pressing need for solutions but also the complex emotional landscape navigated by first responders working tirelessly in challenging environments.
image source from：https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/the-story/portland-homeless-birth-pregnant-women-giving-street-tent/283-d9cac90f-f641-4200-959d-34ce15e4b621
