Baby is born four months premature after woman goes into labour on a transatlantic flight

A baby has been born four months premature in a Dublin hospital, after its mother went into labour on a transatlantic flight.

Mother Jenny Drake, from Nashville, has spoken out about her relief after reaching the hospital just four minutes before giving birth after just 25 weeks of pregnancy.

She was returning home after a mini-break in Paris with her husband Gavin when she went into labour just an hour after taking off, enroute to North Carolina airport.

The American Airlines flight had to be diverted to Dublin after Ms Drake went into labour, in the desperate rush to get her to a hospital in time.

‘I was terrified,’ said Ms Drake, speaking publicly for the first time since the harrowing ordeal.

‘My big fear was that, if she was born on the plane she wouldn't make it because she was so young and her lungs were not properly developed.

‘I was just trying to keep her in, which is easier said than done.

‘I just kept thinking, “Please let me make it to the hospital”, because every minute counts without oxygen.’

Luckily the couple arrived at the hospital with just minutes to spare, and their new daughter Zoe was born weighing just 1lb 8oz.

‘She’s doing really well and is stable now thankfully,’ said Ms Drake, adding that they’ve given Zoe the middle name Ireland.

Ms Drake, an optometrist, and optician Gavin, were returning home to their three-year-old son Aiden after celebrating a ‘babymoon’ break in the capital city.

But the flight had only been in the air for about an hour when her contractions began.

‘It was pretty terrible,’ she said.

‘My contractions were three minutes apart pretty much from the get go.

‘I was trying everything to convince myself that it wasn’t labour, that it was just Braxton Hicks [false labour pains], but eventually I had to flag down a flight attendant.

‘They asked if there were any medics on board and I think eight lights went on. There were several doctors who helped me, so I was really lucky.

‘Originally they were going to turn the flight around and head back to Paris, but then we were told we were going to Dublin.

‘I felt for my poor husband, at one point they handed him a bag and said you may have to catch her.’

She added: ‘It was just really emotional. It was a huge relief to arrive safely.’

Baby Zoe is expected to remain in intensive care at the Rotunda hospital in Dublin for the next few months, but is said to be thriving.

A GoFundMe page set up to help the couple financially during their prolonged stay in Dublin has already raised nearly £7,000 since it was set up three days ago.

Ms Drake added: ‘The doctors said she was big for 25 weeks, but she looks tiny to me.

‘We are just so grateful to everyone who helped and are thankful she is doing well.’