In a shocking incident at the Rajmata Shrimati Devendra Kumari Singhdev Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Ambikapur, a premature baby was found alive after being delivered in a toilet and getting trapped in a pipe connected to the sewer. The newborn is currently on a ventilator and receiving intensive medical care.
Hospital sources revealed that the mother, a resident of Pratappur in Surajpur district, was unaware that she had delivered the baby. She reportedly returned to her ward and slept, realising the situation only after half an hour when she felt her stomach was empty and alerted the nursing staff.
Immediately, hospital staff and cleaners rushed to the washroom and discovered the newborn stuck inside the pipeline. The woman had been admitted to the AMC-2 ward after experiencing labour pains. She was first taken to the Pratappur Community Health Centre before being referred to Ambikapur Medical College Hospital.
Medical superintendent Dr. Ramesh Arya stated that the woman, Rambati Bai, was seven months pregnant and likely experienced precipitated labour inside the toilet. The premature baby, weighing 1.3 kilograms, was found breathing when retrieved. A video circulated online showed staff breaking the commode, though officials clarified that the footage was recorded during repairs after the baby had already been rescued.
According to hospital staff, this was the woman’s second pregnancy. Doctors added that rare cases of sudden pressure during bowel movements can trigger unexpected deliveries, especially during advanced labour stages.
The rescue operation was led by cleaning supervisor Ashish Sahu and his team—Hari, Rakesh, Vinay, and Rajesh—who dismantled the toilet system and septic tank over nearly 30 minutes. The newborn reportedly remained trapped for about an hour but continued breathing until safely rescued and handed over to medical personnel.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Assistant Superintendent and Paediatrician Dr. JK Relwani said, “The baby is premature. Sometimes, such deliveries occur due to pressure on a pregnant woman’s foetus. The mother is out of danger, while the baby’s condition is critical. The baby is on a ventilator and is being monitored continuously.”
