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A woman went into labour on a flight to Manila , prompting an emergency landing in Hyderabad .
The unnamed passenger started giving birth on the flight from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, before the Philippine Airlines pilot made the decision to divert to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport while flying over India.
The plane was met by a team of gynaecologists and paediatricians as soon as it landed, who helped deliver the baby onboard the aircraft.
The umbilical cord had to be left intact as doctors were not allowed to bring the appropriate surgical blade onto the jet “due to security restrictions”, the hospital said in an official statement.
Still attached, mother and baby had to be transported from the airport to Apollo Hospital where they received further treatment.
WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the worldShow all 29 1 /29WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Zambia, Linety, 18, bathes her one-month-old daughter Maria in Nsambilo, a concoction of protection made from tree roots. The concoction is believed to keep the baby healthy and protect her from evil spirits.
Water Aid
WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Zambia, Flora, 59, sits with her daughter, Linety, 18, and prepares to bathe her one-month-old grandaughter Maria in Nsambilo, a concoction of protection made from tree roots, believed to keep the baby healthy and protect her from evil spirits.
Water Aid
WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Zambia, two-week-old baby Mutinta wears a ‘kakonde’, a necklace to protect her from vomiting, diarrhoea and bad omens.
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WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Zambia, Grandma Estheli, 62, covers two-week-old baby Mutinta while being held by her mother Chuuma, 18. Mutinta wears a ‘kakonde’ necklace to protect her from vomiting, diarrhoea and bad omens.
Water Aid
WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Nigeria, a twig tree is held in a calabash bowl, where it is dissolved in water as part of the Nana Fatsuma tradition. The pregnant mother will drink the solution to hasten delivery.
Water Aid
WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Malawi, grandmother Melise makes porridge for her daughter, Lucia, 26, who has just given birth to baby Bertha. New mothers are given a special porridge made from soya, maize flour and sugar. It is thought that this will give them the energy and the nutrients they need.
Water Aid
WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Malawi, Lucia, 26, mother to newborn baby Bertha, eats a special porridge made from soya, maize flour and sugar, which is given to mothers after childbirth. It's believed this will give mothers the energy and nutrients they need.
Water Aid
WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Malawi, Lucia, 26, mother to newborn baby Bertha, sits with her mother, Melise. Melise has made her a special porridge from soya, maize flour and sugar which is given to mums after childbirth. It is thought to give her energy and the nutrients.
Water Aid
WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Uganda, Nagit, 30, sits in the doorway of her home with her baby Bakita after a blessing ceremony. As part of the ceremony, the skin of an Etopojjo tree is soaked in water and small strings are tied around the baby’s wrist, ankles, neck and waist.
Water Aid
WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Uganda, Nagit, 30, and her husband Lomer, 32, sit with their five children after the blessing of their newborn. As part of blessing ceremony, the skin of an Etopojjo tree is soaked in water, forming small strings. These strings are then tied around the baby’s wrist, ankles, neck and waist.
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WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Uganda, clan members dance and sing to welcome the birth of new baby Loumo.
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WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Uganda, Awas, 58, (far left) serves local beer to her six-week-old grandson Loumo, the baby's mother Sagal, 24, and clan elders. The clan members all drink from one gourd as a sign of peace and togetherness as they welcome the new baby.
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WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In the USA, a priest baptises four-month-old Emmeline at the Roman Catholic Holy Family Church in New Jersey. Some Catholics believe pouring holy water over a baby’s head absolves them of sin.
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WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In the USA, parents Robert, 38, and Marisa, 37, hold their four-month-old baby Emmeline. She was baptised in a Roman Catholic church. Some Catholics believe pouring holy water over a baby’s head absolves them of sin.
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WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Scotland, five-week-old Emma is given a coin by her Nana, Sandra, a custom meant to bring good luck and prosperity.
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WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Scotland, Ross, 35, and Amanda, 32, from Glasgow hold their five-week-old baby, Emma. Emma is given a coin by her Nana, Sandra, a custom meant to bring good luck and prosperity.
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WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Japan, Natsumi, 29, feeds her four-week-old daughter Miwa during Okuizome, a first food ceremony.
Water Aid
WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Japan, Natsumi, 29, feeds her four-week-old daughter Miwa during Okuizome, a first food ceremony.
Water Aid
WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Japan, four-week-old baby Miwa has a first food ceremony. Natsumi, 29, feeds her daughter Miwa during the ceremony, which is called Okuizome.
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WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Sweden, Sebastian, 31, cuts his newborn son Harry’s umbilical cord in an operating theatre at Östersund hospital. The convention helps fathers feel more involved in the birth.
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WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Sweden, Sebastian, 31, and Maria, 34 hold their baby son Harry. Sebastian cut his newborn son Harry’s umbilical cord in an operating theatre at Östersund hospital. The convention helps fathers feel more involved in the birth.
Water Aid
WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In India, Rinku, 22, applies thick, black ‘kajal’ or kohl to her child Kritika’s eyes, to ward off evil spirits.
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WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In India, two-year-old Kritika has a drink after her mother, Rinku, 22, has applied thick, black ‘kajal’ or kohl to her child's eyes and forehead to ward off evil spirits.
Water Aid
WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Madagascar, Nome, 21, wears a ‘masonjoany’ mask to protect herself from the sun and bad spirits. It is made by grinding a sandalwood tree branch and adding water to form a paste. She holds her newborn baby Jackie Marcel Stephan.
Water Aid
WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Madagascar, Nome, 21, wears a ‘masonjoany’ mask to protect herself from the sun and bad spirits. She sits with her sister, who applied the mask. It is made by grinding a sandalwood tree branch and adding water to form a paste. She holds her seven-day-old baby, Jackie Marcel Stephan.
Water Aid
WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Madagascar, Nome, 21, wears a ‘masonjoany’ mask to protect herself from the sun and bad spirits. It is made by grinding a sandalwood tree branch and adding water to form a paste. She holds her seven-day-old baby Jackie Marcel Stephan.
Water Aid
WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Ghana, Vida, 30, holds her one-month-old baby David in front of a tree from which bark is taken, boiled in water and then poured over her as part of ‘Kosoto’ to protect her from stomach problems in future pregnancies.
Water Aid
WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Ghana, Vida sits with her children (L-R) Patrick, aged 11, one-month-old David, Hannah, aged five and Desmond, aged three, outside their home. Vida took part in the Kosoto custom following David's birth where bark from a tree is taken, boiled in water and then poured over her to protect her from stomach problems in future pregnancies.
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WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Ghana, Mary, 21 stands with her husband Sampson and two-year-old son Nathaniel. They performed the Nila tradition where a traditional herbalist makes a small cut on the baby’s cheek, thought to prevent the him from getting convulsions. Both parents also did the Nila tradition as infants.
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“The mother and baby have recovered and are ready to return to their homeland,” paediatric neonatologist Dr C Suresh Kumar told The Times of India .
It’s not the first high-flying birth story.
Jetblue gained its youngest ever customer in February 2019 after a baby was born during a flight from Puerto Rico to Florida.
The US airline said it wants to rename the aircraft after the baby following the birth on flight 1954.
The event aptly occurred on a plane named “Born to be Blue”, which flew from San Juan to Fort Lauderdale.
The low-cost carrier confirmed the flight was met by medical personnel, who ensured mum and baby were OK. Video shows medics treating the new mother onboard.
The Independent has asked Philippine Airlines for comment.
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