Surreal experience narrated by Group Captain Sanjay Mishra, Captain of the Indigo flight from Delhi to Bangalore.
It started with the lead informing me that the lady on seat 1C, is an expectant motherfeeling a little restless and that she had not eaten anything since morning. She was comforted and was given fluids and something to eat. A while later, her anxiety and restlessness increased. She also started complaining of stomach pain. As the situation was developing, I asked the lead to page for a doctor.
By sheer providence and divine destiny of this would-be-new-born, there were two very accomplished doctors on board. One of them, Dr Nagaraj, was a plastic surgeon working in King Fahd Hospital in Riyadh and the other, Dr Shailaja, an Obstetrics surgeon , heading the fetal medicine department in Cloud Nine Hospital. We were near Jaipur, cruising at FL (that is 39,000 ft).
She was initially diagnosed with gastric pain or just constipation and the doctors felt that she would be fine. However, her discomfort and restlessness kept getting worse. Both doctors were in constant attendance. I spoke to the lady doctor who assured me that she was watching her carefully. A little later, north of Bhopal, came to know that she had started bleeding followed by the shattering news that she was suffering an abortion.
Forward galley and the lavatory were swiftly and efficiently converted into a makeshift ward/labour room taking all precautions by an excellent team of cabin crew who rose to the requirements of the occasion. They were very brilliantly supported by several Captains and Crew, travelling ACM and Dead Head. I was waiting for one final update from the doctors to decide on my next course of action.
As I was mulling over this disheartening piece of news, heard and noticed sudden increase in the activity levels in the cabin......screaming......shouting......clapping and a faint cry of what sounded like a new born....It was a baby boy! From a feeling of deep sadness, it turned to a feeling of intense joy.....never witnessed fortunes turning so swiftly and so miraculously!! Don't think there was a single soul on board who didn't have goose bumps on him or her at that moment.
So the youngster was born on Cloud Nine with the help of a doctor from Cloud Nine! The baby was premature and there was not much clarity on how many months pregnant she was.....could have been saying anything......she had earlier mentioned 5 months?? My decision making skills were getting tested with rapidly unfolding situations.
Although the doctors confirmed to me that the mother and child were doing well.....things could again worsen any moment. Nagpur was 500 m in thundershowers......Indore had a closure.....Hyderabadwas the best option to divert in case of any new contingency. At the bottom of my heart, I was hoping and praying that the youngster on for another hour and a bit.....he did well......much better than expected at his ripe old age of five minutes.
I didn't want her to land up in Hyderabad in these Covid times and with a premature baby as she was travelling alone. In my address to the passengers, I informed them that "We have an extra passenger on board...." POB was also revised.....plenty of congratulatory calls on air on Nagpur, Madras and Bangalore frequencies......Nagpur gave me direct BL552 for Bangalore 27L from just south of Bhopal......enjoyed the uninterrupted high speed run! Post landing 'Birth on Board' form was filled in a domestic flight in India ever.......and it is most appropriately titled FFS 007.
On ground amid all the frenzy, I could sense a genuine sense of happiness and joy, among all present, KIAL staff, Aster Clinic staff.......in all the gloom surrounding us, people were looking for a reason to celebrate and they got one...! There were banners, chocolates, gifts......and the brave mother was given a rousing reception!
Met 007! Had a look at his face......of course, he was unaffected by all the commotion around him......by now he was an hour and a half old....As for me......I couldn't have asked for a happier Air Force Day eve!
A baby boy was born on Indigo flight enroute 6E 122 Delhi - Bangalore. Flight landing at 1940 hrs. All operations normal. Mother and child healthy!
Tailpiece.
Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. As I cycled on the exercise bicycle at our balcony, saw a team come by in a pick up truck, cut down two big trees with a portable, electric lathe chopped them efficiently into logs of requisite length, loaded them neatly on board and drive off, all within a matter of 45 minutes. There was no sign of any left overs; they'd done a neat job.
Sent the connected documents, for filing my IT returns, to the chartered accountant and my friend, Denny. Meanwhile, our Chevy was taken to the Geeyem Motors for routine servicing by Sreejith, who'd fetched up a trifle after lunch.
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