BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A local woman is recovering this evening after giving birth to her baby this morning, near railroad tracks, according to the Bakersfield Police Department.
BPD was called off of Stine and Pacheco Road at 7:30 a.m. for reports of a homeless woman giving birth behind Goodwill.
According to BPD, a woman called screaming for help that another woman was giving birth behind Goodwill near the train tracks.
Near the tracks is a homeless encampment area and the woman giving birth is believed to be homeless.
When the ambulance arrived both mom and baby were breathing and transported to a local hospital.
The Bakersfield Pregnancy Center says that they specialize in resources to women in at risks situations like this.
Also, they offer the necessary resources to ensure babies and mothers are safe.
"So if she comes to us and she has no prenatal care and is advanced in pregnancy we can work with her and connect her to Sagebrush, which is the OBGYN portion of Kern Medical," said Erin Rodgers, executive director of Bakersfield Pregnancy Center.
"We can then get her established with prenatal care no matter what stage of pregnancy she is in even until birth."
The center says they have not seen an increase in homeless women giving birth in situations like this, but want to prevent it.
The Bakersfield Pregnancy Center says they, too, offer diapers, parenting classes for mothers.
Also, they work with both the Mission at Kern County and The Bakersfield Homeless Center to help mothers get back on their feet.
"On average we have 100 children who sleep at the Homeless Center each and every night," said Cindy Lyday, external affairs manager for Bakersfield Homeless Center. "We are advocates for children, we have a state-licensed childcare center running on our campus called Discovery Depo. This is the first state-licensed childcare center to operate on a homeless center in the state of California."
Both organizations say that they will also pair homeless women with other agencies.
Their goal is to ensure all women are receiving proper care, permanent housing, and support during and after becoming pregnant.
The Bakersfield Homeless Center says their doors are open to all women and children as well.
The Bakersfield Pregnancy Center says if you know a woman who is pregnant, in a crisis, be sure to head to the center or call their emergency service number at 661- 326-1907.
