A journey that began as a mundane trip along Cuba's Central Highway turned into an extraordinary event that captivated the attention of the entire nation.
While traveling between Havana and Segundo Frente on bus 3252, 20-year-old Eglisnelvis Hechavarría unexpectedly gave birth, astonishing both passengers and the crew.
Days after this remarkable incident, Cuban television aired a feature showcasing the progress of the newborn and the firsthand accounts from those involved in this memorable story.
Eglisnelvis embarked on her journey from Havana without any discomfort, being 34 weeks pregnant and symptom-free. However, mid-route, she began experiencing severe pain. She informed the Mexican passenger seated beside her, and soon a voice echoed in the aisle: "The pregnant woman is in pain."
The bus instantly became a spontaneous demonstration of cooperation and human kindness.
According to driver Dagnis Matos, among the passengers were a doctor, a nurse, and an intensivist. The travelers gathered improvised supplies: cotton, alcohol, scissors, wipes, hair ties, and even a sterilized mask donated by a crew member to tie off the umbilical cord.
"We turned the bus into a delivery room," Matos recounted.
Nurse Yamisleydis Rodríguez explained how they began assisting the young mother. After assessing Eglisnelvis's abdomen and confirming a strong contraction, she alerted the doctor to prepare.
Initially frightened, Eglisnelvis later felt as secure as if she were in a hospital, thanks to the organization and support of the passengers.
During contractions, the nurse stayed by her side, holding her hand and guiding her through the pushes, while the doctor monitored the labor's progress.
During the delivery, the doctor noticed the baby had a "nuchal cord" (the umbilical cord wrapped around the neck), a manageable complication requiring immediate attention.
When the newborn's cry finally pierced the air, the bus erupted in applause. That sound, as the driver put it, moved everyone on board. Eglis Saray was born, a premature yet strong baby girl who immediately received her first care from the nurse while her mother was attended to by the doctor.
A concern quickly arose: the mother had no milk. Fortunately, fate intervened again. A passenger traveling with two children and a baby offered to breastfeed the newborn during her first moments of life.
"I felt relieved," Yamisleydis noted, "knowing she wouldn't suffer from hypoglycemia, a potential complication for a newborn, especially a preemie."
Eventually, an ambulance met the bus in Sancti Spíritus. There, the nurse briefed the paramedic on the birth conditions: the baby was pink, full of vitality, and had a good Apgar score. Mother and daughter were transported to Camilo Cienfuegos Provincial Hospital.
After three days of observation, neonatologist Manuel López Fuentes confirmed that the newborn hadn't encountered any complications despite her low weight and premature status.
The solidarity didn't end with the delivery. Passengers organized a collection to support the mother, refunded her fare, and helped ensure her safe exit from the bus.
Now, Eglisnelvis awaits her transfer to Havana to reunite with her husband and two other children.
She carries with her a story she'll recount for a lifetime: the time she delivered her daughter on a highway, inside a bus transformed into a delivery room, thanks to a group of strangers who came together like a family for a few unforgettable hours.
This tale first came to light through netizen Keilan Torres, who shared a Facebook post titled "The Miracle on Wheels," recounting the out-of-hospital birth that was enveloped in an extraordinary spirit of solidarity.
Questions About the Unusual Bus Birth in Cuba
Who assisted in the delivery on the bus?
The delivery was assisted by a doctor, a nurse, and an intensivist who were passengers on the bus.
How was the umbilical cord complication managed?
The doctor handled the situation by addressing the "nuchal cord" (umbilical cord around the neck) complication immediately.
What happened after the birth on the bus?
An ambulance met the bus in Sancti Spíritus, and both mother and baby were transported to Camilo Cienfuegos Provincial Hospital for observation.