It was a rude way to come into the world.

Taiwanese rescue workers struggled twenty minutes to extricate a newborn baby from the toilet of a crowded commuter train earlier this month.

Passengers discovered the 6 pound, 8 ounce girl wedged in the toilet drain — her unconscious mother sprawled on the lavatory floor — after hearing crying coming from the stall.

The 36-year-old mom, identified by Chinese media only as Mrs. Shao, had gone into labor after boarding at the resort town of Ruisui. Witnesses say the woman somehow managed to stagger to the train toilet, where she gave birth.

Paramedics called a station mechanic to saw through a drain pipe before rushing the baby to a nearby hospital. The train’s passengers applauded wildly and embraced each other at the successful rescue.

Mommy and baby are doing fine. The Taiwan Railway Administration presented them with congratulatory cash and gifts — including passes to ride the rails for free. No doubt Mrs. Shao will be a little more careful around the loo next time.

Link: The Taipei Times (Wikimedia photo by Jiahwang)