MINNEAPOLIS – A Minnesota doctor helped a teenage girl give birth on an airplane this weekend.
Dr. Sheila Flynn, a general practitioner at Memorial Health Clinic North in Roseville, was on a flight to Minneapolis on Sunday when Maya, a 19-year-old woman on board, began to actively labor.
Flynn and others helped coach Maya to breathe and stay calm.
“Honestly, what can you do on an airplane? Flynn said.” But you want to be in front of people.
After the plane landed, Maya was taken to a hospital in Minneapolis. Flynn followed close behind and participated in the delivery.
Maya gave birth to a healthy baby boy who is doing well.
Flynn said it was Maya’s first time on an airplane and she didn’t speak English.
“Some languages are universal,” Flynn said.” When ladies go into labor, there are things we can understand, and that helps with motherhood.”
After giving birth, Flynn visited Maya several times and helped her with follow-up treatments.
She said she was impressed by Maya’s bravery.
“Sometimes in life, when you’re napping on an airplane, something happens right in front of you and you have the opportunity to help someone,” Flynn said.
Flynn has two daughters about Maya’s age. She said if either of them were in a similar situation, she hopes someone would step up and lend a hand.