A Nigerian woman, Oyindamola Akinyera, recently made headlines after giving birth to a baby girl aboard a Qatar Airways flight from Lagos to Brazil. The incident, which took place on Saturday, has since captivated the attention of many, especially after Akinyera shared her extraordinary experience on Instagram
Akinyera, who was traveling with her husband, David, for what they described as their “honeymoon and baby-moon,” had been cleared for air travel by her doctor. The journey began smoothly, with the couple enjoying their time exploring Doha during a layover. However, the situation took an unexpected turn once they boarded the connecting flight to Brazil.
A few hours into the flight, Akinyera began experiencing what she initially believed to be typical pregnancy-related backaches, likely exacerbated by the long hours of travel. She even tried to alleviate the discomfort by resting, with the flight crew providing her with a comfortable bed setup.
Despite her attempts to rest, the discomfort persisted, and she eventually asked one of the air hostesses to check her vitals. Surprisingly, there were no signs of labor at that time, and Akinyera continued to believe that the pain was just a result of fatigue.
As the flight crossed the Atlantic Ocean, Akinyera’s discomfort escalated, leading her to believe she was simply constipated. It wasn’t until she felt an intense need to use the restroom, accompanied by a sudden release of what she thought was urine, that she realized her water had broken.
Even then, Akinyera was unaware that she was in labor, casually attempting to sleep through the pain. However, the Qatar Airways flight crew, who quickly assessed the situation with the help of a fellow passenger who was a doctor, soon realized the urgency.
The crew, alongside the doctor, Carolina, swiftly set up a makeshift birthing station at the entrance of the plane. Carolina confirmed that Akinyera was fully dilated and that the baby was ready to be born. The flight was now in Brazilian airspace, with just 40 minutes left until landing
As the contractions intensified, Akinyera’s husband, David, held her hand, praying and supporting her throughout the process. Despite feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, Akinyera found strength in the encouragement and prayers of the flight crew, who acted as her midwives.
Incredibly, just 20 minutes before the plane landed in Brazil, Akinyera gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Once on the ground, the family was promptly taken to a hospital, where both mother and daughter were reported to be doing well.
Reflecting on the miraculous experience, Akinyera expressed profound gratitude, stating, “David and I’s hearts are filled with immense joy. I have seen God move countless times in my life, but this one beats all others. I had a supernatural birth, and it’s all thanks to God Almighty.”
This remarkable story of a mid-air birth serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of life and the resilience of the human spirit. Akinyera’s experience echoes a similar incident in May 2020 when another Nigerian woman gave birth on a repatriation flight from the United Arab Emirates.
