It’s a boy! Doctor leaps into action to deliver baby mid-flight
A pregnant woman has unexpectedly given birth mid-flight, prompting a fellow passenger and doctor to set up a temporary maternity unit to help deliver the baby.
The Ghanian woman, who gave her name as GG, was on board a flight from Ghana to the US on January 29 when she prematurely gave birth.
After a Ghanian doctor delivered her baby, converting the plane’s business class area into a temporary maternity ward.
The woman was then met with “shock and applause” from those around her.
However, she was expecting to give birth later in February, an eye witness told the BBC.
Journalist Nancy Adobea Anane, who was also on the flight, told BBC News Pidgin that an on-board announcement for medical assistance initially prompted confusion among passengers.
“Most of them heard the call for assistance from medical personnel but didn’t know what was going on,” she said.
“I became anxious for the safety of the baby and mother, and the possibility of a detour for an emergency landing.”
Dr Stephen Ansah-Addo (left) helped deliver the baby on route to the US. Image: Nancy Adobea Anane (BBC)
Dr Stephen Ansah-Addo, who practises in the US, heard the request for help and set about delivering the baby.
“Myself, a nurse and the flight attendants … took [the mother] slowly through the process and she delivered a beautiful baby boy,” Dr Ansah-Addo said.
Ms Anane recalled that the birth was quite quick, with the baby boy entering the world within 45 minutes of the birth process starting.
“Her delivery was quick, like 30 to 45 minutes,” she said, which was then followed by “screaming and the familiar cry of the baby”.
Paramedics met the new mother and baby once the plane landed in Washington, where they received further care.
With the chances of going into labour naturally higher after 37 weeks of pregnancy according to the UK’s National Health Service, some airlines prohibit pregnant women from flying after this point.
Image: Nancy Adobea Anane (BBC)