In-flight Birth Called 'Best Emergency Ever'

"Is there a doctor onboard?" was not part of a corny announcement joke aboard SWA 441 enroute to SLC from MDW, though it will be part of a great story.  Internal medicine specialist Dr. John Saran heeded the call and assisted the crew in delivering a baby boy after a fellow passenger went into unexpected, and extremely short, midair labor on Friday.

Captain Gary Jesperson quickly diverted the plane to nearby DEN when received word from Flight Attendants that a passenger had gone into labor, but the passenger count climbed from 121 to 122 before they could reach the ground.

The Flight Attendants worked with Dr. Saran to set up a delivery area in the rear of the 737 using whatever they could find, including the headrest from an FA jumpseat, passenger blankets, a pair of kids scissors, and a set of shoelaces (to tie off the umbilical cord). The baby appeared less than 15 minutes later after only two or three pushes.   

Unlike many other flights with babies, passengers broke into a round of applause in response to the newborn's loud cries.  The website IdahoStatesman.com quoted FO Seth Koppenhaver stating "That's the best emergency I've ever had."

Medical teams met the plane at DEN and took over medical care. SWA reports that mother and child are doing well.  There is no word on whether the mother took the crew's advice on nicknaming the baby boy "Peanut."

FMI www.Southwest.com