Baby born prematurely on Vietnam Airlines flight from Copenhagen after five medical passengers step in

A 30-week pregnant passenger gave birth to a premature baby aboard a Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787 after five medical professionals travelling as passengers came together to assist during the flight from Copenhagen to Ho Chi Minh City. Flight VN38, which departed Copenhagen on September 5, was around 10 hours into its journey when the Vietnamese passenger suddenly went into labour at around 01:00 on September 6.

The cabin crew asked for medical assistance, prompting four doctors and a nurse to come forward. The group included three Vietnamese doctors, a foreign emergency doctor and a foreign nurse. None of them was an obstetrician.

Dr Ho Khanh Thanh of Cho Ray Hospital examined the passenger and found that her waters had broken and that the baby’s head could already be felt. The crew moved her to the business-class cabin, where the medical team assisted with the delivery.

The baby was born after approximately six to seven minutes and weighed around 1.3 kg. The newborn was breathing and crying, while the medical team used the equipment available on board to keep the baby warm and care for the mother.

With more than two hours of the flight still remaining, the doctors recommended diverting the aircraft because of the risks associated with continuing the journey with a very premature newborn.

VN38 diverted to Yangon, Myanmar, where the mother and baby were taken to hospital. The aircraft subsequently refuelled and continued to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving at 06:05 local time.

Vietnam Airlines said the emergency diversion was necessary to ensure the safety of both the mother and child.

The incident also highlighted the importance of cooperation between the cabin crew and medically qualified passengers in an inflight medical emergency. Chief flight attendant Vu Hai Anh said it was the first time in her nearly 30-year career that she had witnessed a passenger give birth during a flight.

The mother and baby were reported to be safe after being transferred to medical care in Yangon.