A transatlantic flight had to divert to Shannon Airport in Ireland when a woman went into labour less than an hour after take-off.
The Delta Airlines crew declared a medical emergency en route from Amsterdam to Atlanta yesterday (August 24).
The woman's contractions were believed to just a minute apart in the final moments before the flight touched down.
The Clare Herald reports that she was assessed on board by paramedics before being rushed to University Maternity Hospital in Limerick where she gave birth shortly afterwards.
It's understood that both mum and baby are doing well after the mid-air drama. The woman is believed to have been flying at 37 weeks pregnant. The jet, carrying 230 passengers and crew, flew on to Atlanta after an hour and a half delay at Shannon airport.
While some airlines may request a doctor's letter from any pregnant woman travelling within four weeks of her due date, according to Delta's website the airline 'does not impose restrictions on flying for pregnant women, so a medical certificate is not required to travel'.
The airline does advise that if travelling after eight months pregnant that it's a 'good idea to check with your doctor to be sure travel is not restricted'.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said there is no significant health risk associated directly with air travel during pregnancy, even in the last weeks of pregnancy. Flying in the last weeks of pregnancy tends to be discouraged for insurance purposes, plus most women would prefer to stay close to home near as their baby's birth approaches.