Stork makes surprise delivery on Southwest Airlines, prompts emergency landing in Denver

by Charlie Leocha on December 7, 2009

In a rather unusual case, to say the least, a baby was delivered during Southwest Airlines flight 441 last Friday from Chicago (MDW) to Salt Lake City (SLC). The plane was diverted to Denver where the mother and newborn were met at the airport by an ambulance and the plane continued onto its destination. Both are reportedly in good condition.

A 20-something-year-old woman who was eight months pregnant at takeoff delivered the five-pound baby on the floor of the rear galley by Dr. John Saran, a Chicago-area doctor on his way to a ski vacation, assisted by the flight attendants. Reports said that the doctor, who hadn’t delivered a baby in 30 years, tied off the umbilical cord with his shoelaces.

This is a great feel-good story with a happy ending. Eventually the flight went on to Salt Lake City and then Boise, Idaho. The local Boise paper quoted the plane captain and first officer who were beaming with happiness.

Captain Gary Jesperson who declared an emergency and diverted the flight to Denver said it was the first time a woman had given birth on one of his flights. Jesperson has been a pilot for 28 years. “That’s the best emergency I’ve ever had,” said First Officer Seth Koppenhaver. After the baby was born the passengers applauded. Everyone on the flight was helpful, and the crew on the airplane nicknamed the newborn “Peanut.”

I wonder whether there was a baby on board sign in any of the airplane windows?

Print Friendly

Tagged as: baby on board, newborn, southwest

  • Kelly

    Why was this woman flying if she was 8 months pregnant??? Isn’t that a big no-no?

  • Frank

    http://kidshealth.org/parent/question/infants/flying.html

    Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you can usually fly up to 4 or 5 weeks before your due date. And that cutoff time is not because flying can cause problems as your due date nears — it’s just best to stay close to home and your doctor in case you deliver.

    Some changes occur in your body with flying, and during a flight you’re out of reach of emergency care. So especially if you have a high-risk pregnancy, check with your doctor before flying.

    And it’s wise to discuss any plans for lengthy or distant travel, just in case. If your doctor says travel is OK, check with the airlines to find out what their policies are. Most allow pregnant women to fly up until week 36 for domestic flights and week 35 for international travel.

  • John Hale

    If the baby had been born on United, they’d have charged him/her another fare.

  • Danielle

    Maybe this is how someone saves money on childbirth? It’s gotta be cheaper than a hospital! Do you think the doctor charged for his time? :)

  • Tim

    Kelly–that was what I was thinking. If I remember correctly, my wife was told not to fly in her last trimester–and she did not have a difficult pregnancy (even her “morning sickness” was very mild). And this was back in ’01.

    Frank – with the loose way the doctors use to figure out the due date, I would be more conservative on when a pregnant woman should stop flying.

  • Pingback: A leading Japanese politician espouses a 9/11 fantasy - Page 2 - Pakistan Defence Forum

Previous post:

Next post: