Prince Albert doctor helps deliver baby on plane

CTV Saskatoon: Giving birth at 40,000 feet What happens when medical distress occurs 40,000 feet in the air?

A mother who gave birth 40,000 feet in the air can thank one doctor in Prince Albert for the smooth landing.

Erin Sullivan, a first-year resident at Prince Albert’s Victoria Hospital, boarded her plane home from Amsterdam expecting a relaxing flight.

“I had just woken up from a nap and they paged overhead for any physicians on board to identify themselves,” Sullivan said.

A woman on the flight was in labour. Sullivan, with the help of another doctor and two nurses on board, moved the woman into business class before her emergency training kicked in.

“I just thought… I’m going to prepare for the worst and hope for the best, and hope that this delivery, like most, goes smoothly and goes well.”

It did.

“Mom was great. She didn’t speak any English, so we couldn’t communicate with her other than with hand gestures and reassuring tones, but mom did great,” Sullivan said.

The plane made an emergency landing in Yellowknife for the healthy baby and new mom, and Sullivan returned home to Saskatchewan.