A dramatic in-flight delivery occurred on a recent commercial flight from Amman, Jordan, to London Luton Airport. Dr. Hassan Khan, a doctor from Basildon Hospital in Essex, was a passenger on the flight when his medical expertise became crucial. About two hours into the trip, a medical emergency was declared and Dr. Khan was called to assist a passenger in active labor. When he reached the scene near the cockpit, he discovered that the woman's water had broken.
Fortunately, the quick intervention of Dr. Khan in a successful delivery, with a healthy baby girl born mid-flight. This rare event, as noted by cabin crew, marked only the 75th documented birth on a commercial aircraft.
The plane was diverted to Brindisi airport, in southern Italy, so that the 38-year-old woman and her child could be taken to hospital. BBC reported.
“I was actually late for my shift because of this distraction, but luckily they were very impressed and wanted the full update,” says Dr. Khan, who has been a doctor for four years.
“My consultant congratulated me and said it was a very good job.
“People said it was miraculous. I didn't realize how important it was until I had a chance to process it all.”
The language barrier posed a challenge during the birth as the Jordanian woman did not speak English. Fortunately, another passenger facilitated communication.
Dr. Khan's expertise in neonatal resuscitation proved invaluable. His experience assured the baby's well-being, even though she initially looked somewhat cyanotic (bluish).
“I told the flight attendants what equipment I needed – including an oxygen mask, an umbilical cord clamp and a stethoscope – all of which of course they had on the plane,” said Dr. Khan, who used nothing but towels. during childbirth.
“She was quite stressed by the whole situation, but through the interpreter I was able to reassure her that I do have some experience with newborns.”
The doctor told the media that both the mother and baby were in good condition.
“It was a big sigh of relief, a positive ending to the whole situation,” he added.