The 27-year-old intern of the Cleveland Clinic in the USA, Sij Hemal, could not imagine how his trip to his best friend would end. He had a great time in New Delhi and was returning back to New York by plane. The way was not close (the flight took 8 hours) and Hemal decided to take a nap.And then his plans were hindered by a message on the speakerphone of the plane: “Are there doctors on board? Please raise your hand.”

The young intern raised his hand and a flight attendant approached him. The flight attendant said that one of the passengers of the flight became ill. So, 41-year-old Briton Toyin Ogindipe, who also flew to New York, complained of severe chest pains and dizziness. He approached the woman to conduct an examination.Toyin was wrapped in a warm blanket and did not want to take it off.

However, soon the woman had to admit the cause of her malaise: Toyin was 39 weeks pregnant and she went into labor. And with the help of a plaid, she hid a huge belly; after all, if the flight attendants had noticed him, Toyin would simply not have been allowed on board. After learning what the problem was, the crew of the aircraft began to think about how best to act in a difficult situation!

There were two choices: land at the nearest airport early or deliver a passenger directly on board the plane. It happened that flying to the nearest airfield took at least two hours. Hemal realized that the pregnant passenger would be unable to endure much longer, so the young doctor decided to deliver the baby himself. Despite studying to be a urologist, Hemal was frequently present at childbirth during his medical practice.

Hemal decided he could handle the upcoming task and advised the crew to continue the flight. Fortunately, another pediatrician from Paris, Stephanie Ortolan, was on board the plane. Stephanie agreed to work as Hemal’s personal assistant. Toyin was moved to business class (where there were fewer passengers) and began preparing for childbirth. After arriving in New York, the newly-made mother went to the city’s nearest hospital, but she was discharged after only a few hours! And the airline rewarded Hemal with a bottle of champagne for his bravery.