Taxi cab
Leah Berenson
Leah Berenson
November 8, 2022 ·  2 min read

‘I Gave Birth in a Taxi – I was Shocked When the Cab Firm Sent Me the Clean-up Bill’

For most moms, childbirth can be grueling and take hours, if not days. However, for a lucky few women, their babies are born within a couple of hours, or minutes. That’s exactly what happened to 26-year-old, Farah Cacanindin. The UK resident gave birth in a taxi on her way to the hospital.

Possibly Giving Birth in a Taxi

Farah was on her way to the hospital for a routine checkup when she unexpectedly went into labor. The trip to the hospital was a mere 13 miles when 5 minutes in she noticed her water broke. Farah recalls the driver asked if she wanted him to pull over. She told him no because she thought they would make it. After all, Naia was her second child, albeit the first child she gave birth to in a taxi. She is also a mom to Kairo. Her son is 15 months old, and she figured, having given birth before that they would make it to the hospital before she was all the way dilated.

pregnant woman in back of car
Image for representational purposes only

Things Took an Unexpected Turn

However, things did not go the way she expected, and the 26-year-old resident of High Wycombe, England gave birth in a taxi, by herself. Naia arrived at the Vauxhall Vivaro, just minutes into the short ride. Farah wrapped her baby in her jacket and rode the rest of the way to the hospital. Meanwhile, the driver called to let the hospital know they were coming and that the baby had arrived.

Read: Mom Giving Birth in the Red Sea Goes Down as One of the Coolest Water Births

Having Already Given Birth in a Taxi

When they got the hospital, the midwives were outside waiting for them. Which was likely a welcomed greeting after the 26-year-old mom had only moments to react and no time to feel anything. After giving birth in a taxi, she was interviewed about the unusual circumstances of her daughter’s birth. She stated of the experience, “It was surreal. I didn’t have a chance to be scared.” The midwives and hospital personnel were stunned at how quickly and easily Naia arrived. Farah and Naia were taken inside to receive the proper care after birth.

Heading Home

A few days later Farah took Naia home. They began their new lives together as a family. However, Farah was stunned to find that in her cab bill, was an added fee. The cab company, Arrow Taxis, had added a 60-pound cleaning to fee to her bill, totaling £90, roughly equivalent to $100 USD. Farah was appalled after the trauma of giving birth in a taxi. She stated during an interview, “I understand that I did make a mess but it’s a bit cheeky to have charged me.”

Farah notes, that the cab company is just down the road from their house. She adds comically, “The funny thing is the taxi firm is just down our road. I see the van I gave birth in right outside my house.” So far, Arrow Taxis, has had no comment when questioned about the incident or the bill.

Keep Reading: Inspiring Photo Shows The Strength Of Moms When Giving Birth

H/t The Sun