Woman gives birth on helicopter flight from Waiheke to Auckland

A new mom will have an epic story to tell her son one day after she gave birth in a helicopter.

The 8-minute drive from Waiheke to Auckland City Hospital was too long for the little boy, who surprised everyone when they decided it was time to enter the world about four minutes after takeoff.

The Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust was called to Onetangi around 5.30pm yesterday to help a woman who had gone into labor.

Intensive care paramedic Ross Aitken said the crew, including a doctor, a pilot and a co-pilot, had been prepared for a mid-flight delivery, but because the trip was relatively short, they thought they would get to the hospital on time.

“We were ready, but we weren’t expecting it. About halfway through the flight, Mom informed us that she thought the baby was coming,” she told the Herald.

“We took off our seat belts and she gave birth right on Motuihe Island.”

‘We landed with bubs in mom’s arms’

Aitken was careful not to reveal details about the family involved, out of respect for them, but said the mother did “an amazing job” and that the baby was fine too.

“It was a very normal delivery, as well as being by helicopter,” he said.

“It was quick. We just figured out the things that needed to be done first. Bubs just needed Mom.

“We landed with bubbles in Mom’s arms.”

Aitken has worked as an intensive care paramedic since 2000 in ambulances and with the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust since 2011.

She said she had helped deliver babies at home or in ambulances, but never in mid-flight in a helicopter.

Aitken, who gave birth to the baby, described it as a moving moment.

“The weather was fantastic, you couldn’t have asked for better.

“It was a very special moment to help someone get out into the world.”

The day had been a busy one for the team aboard the Westpac 3, as they had been called up north of Waikato and Great Barrier Island.

“It was a good job to end the day.”