Mum Gives Birth on Flight from Dubai to Philippines

A newborn girl has just received free airline travel for life after she was born aboard a Cebu Pacific Airlines flight from Dubai to Manila on Sunday.

Baby ‘Haven’ was only at 32 weeks gestation, when her mum went into labour just a few hours into its journey and gave birth inside the aircraft mid-flight.

In a Facebook post by another passenger on the flight, Missy Berberabe Umandal, she made a detailed account of the whole incident. She began by saying she “had the most ‘NORMAL’ flight ever with Cebu Pacific Air.”

Missy wrote that the expectant mum, who was set to give birth in October, was surprised when she started having contractions mid-flight, about five hours in going to the Philippines. Then, flight attendants started calling for medical assistance, and luckily, there were two nurses among the passengers. Missy explained that the mum was already crowning, so she was brought to the more spacious area in front of the plane.

“We only heard one semi-loud screech, and a few seconds later, there were tinier, cute screeches, and it was when we knew the baby was born. Luckily, she only had to push ONCE,” she wrote.

A few moments after, Missy said that the mum got up to go back to her seat, with the newborn girl in her arms. Passengers then helped gather clothing for the baby and the crew helped clean her up.

The plane made an emergency landing in India after the newborn’s arrival to ensure her health, as she was born two months earlier than expected.

As to her birthplace, since she was born during the flight over India, her birthplace will be marked as India, although she’ll have a Philippines passport as Cebu Pacific Air is a Philippines owned airline.

Lance Gokongwei, the airline’s President and CEO has commended their quick-thinking staff and crew. “We are happy that both mother and daughter are doing well, and would like to commend our flight and cabin crew for handling the situation with utmost professionalism and efficiency. We also express our sincerest gratitude to the two volunteer nurses who helped ensure the baby’s safe delivery,” he said.

They’ve awarded baby Haven and her family 1 million frequent flyer points to celebrate. “Cheers to the first baby born on one of our flights! To celebrate, we’re giving her 1 million GETGO points, which have no expiry and may be shared with her family,” they posted.

Meanwhile, Missy said that despite the flight’s nine-hour delay, no one is complaining as they are considering the incident as a blessing. She even included in her post a message to the mum and her baby and her mum, as well, as she witnessed a very extraordinary moment.

“To the woman, in the hopes she gets to read this: we understand you are resting and giving time to take care of your baby, but we are all hoping for your quick recovery and a lifetime of happiness to your beautiful child! And Mom, this experience made me appreciate you so so so much more than I already do. When my future children ask me what my greatest memory with my mother was, I would tell them of this extraordinary moment we shared,” she wrote.

The post now has more than 4,100 shares.

Source: Kidspot.com.au