After going into labor two months early, a mother gave birth to a baby boy aboard a trip from London to India. On October 5, Maria Philip, a native of Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India, was traveling from Heathrow to Kochi, when she began to feel difficulties immediately after takeoff. The plane was forced to make an ᴇᴍᴇʀɢᴇɴᴄʏ landing in Germany, where the mother and child were transported to a local hospital, with the airline promising to bring them home once they were healthy enough.
The expectant mother was seven months pregnant and didn’t plan to give birth until later this year. Fortunately, she had the assistance of two physicians and four nurses who were on board at the time. When the Air India crew realized what was going on, they discovered a slew of medical specialists on board, and with their help, the newborn boy was delivered safely while the jet was still in the air.
The jet subsequently made an ᴇᴍᴇʀɢᴇɴᴄʏ landing in Frankfurt, Germany, where medical personnel met the mother and infant and sent them to a hospital for examination. When they are both well enough, Air India has promised to fly them back to India. The airplane continued on its intended route, arriving six hours late in Kochi.
According to Air India, “Thank you to our crew, especially the physicians and medical personnel on board, for making this possible for the mother. Our aircraft is well-equipped with the required medical equipment, and our crew has handled similar situations before. Our authorities are in continuous contact with the family and are providing all required assistance. They’ll be flying back with us soon. May God provide the baby a long and healthy life.”
