Arkansas’ maternity ward shortage sometimes leads to births in ambulances, paramedics say

By: Tess Vrbin

Outlets: Arkansas Advocate

Published: December 29, 2025

Words: 1,096

Last Updated: 1 month ago

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Mike Tharp said he stopped counting years ago how many babies he’s delivered in ambulances in the more than two decades he’s been a paramedic in the Arkansas Delta.

Most of the time the deliveries aren’t complicated, said Tharp, who works for Pafford Medical Services in Phillips County. But then there are the ones that involve a breech birth or the umbilical cord wrapped around the baby’s neck, raising the stakes for paramedics.

“You’re dealing …

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