Woman gives birth in tent near Discovery Trail

A young woman gave birth in the wooded area near Discovery Trail in frigid temperatures early this morning.
 
Both mom and baby were transported to the hospital in stable condition, said Jim Flaherty, firefighter-spokesman for the Vancouver Fire Department.
 
The woman’s friend called 911 dispatch at about 1 a.m. and said the woman was going into labor on Discovery Trail about 1/4 mile from Northeast St. Johns Road and state Highway 500.
 
Vancouver Fire Department, American Medical Response and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call. Responders drove about 1/4 mile on the trail, where they were met by the woman’s friend.
 
The man told responders that the woman had already given birth. After hiking up a dirt trail about 300 to 500 yards, responders came upon a tent where the woman had given birth about 15 minutes earlier, Flaherty said.
 
Responders declared the situation a medical emergency due to the delay in reaching the woman and the chilly temperature, which Flaherty estimated was 35 to 37 degrees.
 
The baby’s umbilical cord was cut and condition was assessed at the scene. The baby was then transported to Southwest Washington Medical Center.
 
Responders removed nearby brush and cut a hole in the chain-link fence along state Route 500 in order to quickly remove the woman from the scene. She was also transported to Southwest Washington Medical Center.
 
It is unclear whether the woman was living at the camp or visiting the three people who were there, Flaherty said.
 
Responders were on the scene for about an hour.