`We became a close family’: Meet Muslim doctor from Wales who helped woman deliver baby midair

A Muslim doctor on board a flight to India helped a mother deliver a baby after she went into labor midair.

Maria Philip had gone into labor two hours after the London-India flight took off. She was seven months pregnant and her water had broken.

Dr. Inshad Ibrahim, who works in Wrexham Maelor Hospital’s Emergency Department, was traveling with his family to India from London for a holiday when the flight attendant asked if there is a doctor on board.

 “Other medical staff on the plane also volunteered to help, and when we examined the woman, we saw her waters had broken, and we told the crew that this was an emergency and we needed space. The cabin crew turned an area which they normally prepare the food in into a delivery room for us with pillows and clothes,” Inshad told North Wales Live.

“When we examined her, half the head of the baby was already out. The baby was very small but wasn’t making a sound, so I tapped his back and after about 15-20 seconds he opened his eyes and cried. That was a very long 15-20 seconds.”  

Inshad, along with the help of other medical professionals on board were able to safely deliver the baby- Shawn Michael into the world, weighing just 2.4lbs.

 “It was an amazing experience, a celebratory moment for all the passengers. Everyone was so happy and excited. We all consoled and helped her husband too, and passengers helped my wife with our two children during the flight too. We became a close family,” Inshad said.    

Other passengers gave their clothes to keep the baby warm while the plane rediverted and made an emergency landing in Frankfurt.