Woman Goes into Labor on LIRR Platform, Gives Birth in Penn Station

She felt labor pains and was carried to the medical office, where she gave birth minutes later

A woman went into labor as she waited for her LIRR train at Penn Station Wednesday morning, delivering a healthy baby boy with the help of MTA police and paramedics.

Ana Aguirre told reporters Thursday she felt some pain that morning but didn't want to miss a court appointment. Before leaving court, she called her sister to tell her she wasn't feeling well.

"I arrived at the train station and bought my ticket, but the pain was getting worse," she said.

Aguirre thought she'd be able to make it back to the hospital on Long Island. But she began to have labor pains on the platform. 

Several commuters flagged down MTA police officers, who carried her to the medical office in the station.

They prepared her for delivery and she gave birth about five minutes later, Officer Joseph Cona said.

Aguirre said "it was incredible because I've had two babies via C-section, and he was born naturally."

Officer Melissa DeFrancesco said it was a first for police at the station.

"It was great to be able to be there and help out in that situation and see that the baby was happy and healthy and that the mom was happy and healthy and everyone was OK," she told NBC 4 New York.

Aguirre named her 6-pound, 12-ounce bundle of joy Oscar.

"I'm so grateful," Aguirre said of the officers who helped deliver her baby. "Thanks to them, I am OK."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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