A Real Miracle Baby - Born At 30 000 ft

By AdventureDad on August 25th, 2007 Print This Post Email This Post

Flying today sucks compared to some years ago. Service is terrible, planes full, travelers angry, and the behavior of security people is beyond stupid (especially TSA). Since we've flown a lot with our children we know that traveling by air today is seen as annoying and humiliating. That's why I was happy to find ONE story, of millions, with a ~~positive~~ miracle outcome. The story about the 1 lbs baby born at 30 000 feet, kept alive with a straw, and now growing into a healthy baby.

Somewhere above Duesseldorf in Germany, as she sat in her seat with an air hostess and a passenger acting as midwives, he arrived, barely alive and weighing only 1lb 1oz.

Thankfully, flight supervisor Carol Miller was there. The woman described as "Alfie's angel" used a drinking straw to clear the boy's lungs, before carrying out mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and heart massage for half an hour.

And I thought the 38 hour delivery with our son was complicated…..

I have sometimes been worried about my wife giving birth prematurely during our many flights. Both with Daniel and Annika. Before flights I have several times checked with insurance companies what would happen if wife unexpectedly starting giving birth and the plane was forced into a a fast unscheduled landing. No big deal over Europe but what about a transatlantic flight to Mexico? (A clue, it would cost a fortune, which would be billed to the passenger. Fortunately, everything is covered by our home insurance).

Airline rules vary but many allow flying until week 35. Last summer we were actually flying late in the pregnancy with our daughter Annika. It was a very short 1.5 hour trip to Germany, actually to Duesseldorf, with a departure in week 32 and return week 34. The pregnancy was going well and we felt like risks were very limited during such a short flight which our doctor agreed with.

But can you imagine giving birth on a plane? With such a premature baby? The stewardess on this flight was beyond incredible, why can't there be more of her instead of the many rude and clueless people currently staffing planes?

After this amazing story we can go back to the thousands of stories of TSA staff confiscating dangerous items like nail clippers, shampoo, water, and toothpaste while still allowing passengers carrying lighters and knifes on planes.

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