Going into labor on an airplane has to be about one of the worst possible scenarios any pregnant woman can conceive of -- so just imagine how panicked one woman felt after giving birth in an airplane toilet on an Emirates flight from Dubai to Manila! (No, I'm not making this up.)
On August 22, a nurse who happened to be traveling on the flight noticed a pregnant woman in pain. She followed her into the airplane lavatory, and lo and behold, she had delivered her baby directly into the airplane toilet. (Ick!) The nurse saw that the newborn was "turning bluish-brown," so with the assistance of another nurse on the flight, she cleaned out the amniotic fluid from the baby's nose and mouth, and two flight attendants jumped in and gave both the mother and baby oxygen masks.
And if this story wasn't already incredible enough -- just wait 'til you hear what the mom wound up naming the baby.
She must have felt the need to honor all of the people on that plane who stepped up to help her and her child in their time of need, which is why she called the baby "EK," which is the airline code for Emirates Airlines.
You have to admit, "EK" is pretty cute, and it's a whole lot better than other names she could've used to commemorate the experience. Something tells me giving the kid a name that somehow referenced the bathroom wouldn't have been quite as fitting or appropriate.
Considering the baby was born premature at only 27 weeks, I'm sure the last thing this woman expected when she boarded that flight was that she'd be delivering the infant not only at 30,000 feet or more, but also in a cramped, unsanitary airplane bathroom. As of now, little EK is still in the hospital, but hopefully he'll be strong enough to go home soon. His mom will have one heck of a story to tell him about his entry into this world!
Are you planning on flying during your pregnancy? Do you ever worry about going into labor in the air?
Image via Simon_sees/Flickr
This Hot Dad Wants to Do Your Ironing
This Hot Dad Wants to Cook You Dinner
This Hot Dad Cooks AND Does the Dishes
Kanye West is Gay?! 
Comments 10
This is an amazing story. To think of everything that could have happened,but didn't, because of the nurses & crew, that were on board that plane. They saved the baby, & now is in a hospital, being well cared for. The mother owes them a huge thank you. I hope mother & baby are doing fine, after this ordeal.
don't you know that your not to fly in your last trimester......
I did fly during my pregnancy but I was only about 20 weeks so the possibility of giving birth during the flight never even popped into my head. She was kicking non stop during the 3 hour flight from Albany NY to Orlando FL but that was about it. I couldnt tell if she was kicking because of the plane ride or because I had Dunkin Donuts for breakfast that morning.
I hope mom and baby are doing ok!
wouldn't you rather lie down on the floor rather than plunk your precious baby in a disgusting toilet? I don't get it.
No EK is not a cute name.
@Barbara Giusto, actually natural instinct tells us that squatting is the best position for child birth, which is essentially what you do on the toilet. Plus, she probably thought she had to poop, or something. Birthing on your back is a doctor's convenience, not mother's. It hurts so much more on your back.