Former Flight Attendant Reveals In-Flight Birth Protocol: 'We'd Move You to the Galley'
When a passenger gave birth on a flight from Kingston, Jamaica to New York City on April 4, she joined an exclusive club: fewer than 100 births have occurred on commercial aircraft. Despite its rarity, cabin crew receive specific training for such emergencies, according to former Emirates flight attendant Marika Mikusova, author of Diary of a Flight Attendant.
Initial Steps: Seeking Medical Assistance
Mikusova explained to The Independent that while flight attendants are trained for childbirth, it is not an annually tested procedure. The first critical action is to ask if there is a doctor on board and contact ground medical support immediately. This ensures the crew follows proper guidance and does everything possible to assist.
"Although we do receive training for childbirth on board, it's not something we're tested on annually," Mikusova said. "So, if a childbirth were to happen during a flight, our first step would be to immediately ask if there is a doctor on board and contact ground medical support for guidance on how to proceed, to make sure we are doing everything we can."
Relocating to the Galley for Space
Once medical support is secured, the next priority is finding a suitable location. Ideally, deliveries should occur near bulkhead seats, as stated in manuals, with the passenger positioned upright against the partition wall. However, Mikusova noted that in reality, the galley often becomes the preferred spot due to its greater space, especially on larger aircraft like the Boeing 777 and Airbus A380.
"If circumstances allow, the delivery would ideally take place near the bulkhead seats," Mikusova said. "As stated in the manual, we would place the passenger in a comfortable position, preferably upright with knees parted and drawn back against the bulkhead. However, since bulkheads are located in front of passenger rows, in reality we would most likely move the situation to the galley, as it offers the most space."
Hygiene and Onboard Delivery Kits
Maintaining cleanliness is a logical concern, though not explicitly detailed in manuals. Flight attendants use clean blankets and rubber gloves, with disinfectant readily available. Mikusova emphasized that cleaning the area would be a lower priority during the active delivery process.
"The cleaning of the area, floors and adjacent surfaces isn't included in the manual, but it's only logical," she said. "Having said that, cleaning and disinfecting the surrounding space would be the last thing we'd have time for at the moment. We would place the laboring passenger on a clean blanket that had been unwrapped from plastic beforehand and the delivery would be conducted using rubber gloves, with disinfectant kept close at hand."
Onboard delivery kits are equipped with essential items, including a mucous extractor, scissors, cord clamps, and absorbent pads. Ground medical support guides the crew through using these tools. Mikusova stressed that flight attendants are not doctors and must strictly adhere to trained procedures, such as encouraging the mother to clean herself before delivery if possible.
Diverting the Flight: A Pilot's Decision
Whether a plane diverts after an in-flight birth depends on the cockpit's assessment. Mikusova indicated that if a doctor is assisting and the situation appears controlled, pilots might opt to continue to the original destination, provided there are no complications for the mother or baby.
"I'm not sure what the pilots' manual says about in-flight births or whether they are instructed to divert as a priority," Mikusova said. "Based on my experience with various medical situations on board and how we've handled them, I'd say that if we had a doctor assisting with the delivery, along with guidance from ground medical support, and the cabin crew felt the situation was under control, the pilots might decide to continue to the original destination - provided that both the mother and baby showed no signs of complications."
Most airlines require a "fit to fly" letter after 28 weeks of pregnancy, confirming the due date and absence of complications, though flying while expecting is generally considered safe.
