Mum Jenny Drake was flying home to the States from a break in Paris with her husband last Saturday, when she went into premature labour at 25 weeks.
The plane was in the air for only an hour when Mrs Drake, from Kentucky, experienced what she thought – and hoped – might just be Braxton Hicks.
“I was trying everything to convince myself that it wasn’t labour – that it was just Braxton Hicks – 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.”
The airline staff contemplated turning the aircraft around but ultimately opted to divert to Dublin. An ambulance was waiting to rush Jenny and husband Gavin to the Rotunda maternity hospital, and they arrived with only minutes to spare before the baby arrived.
At just 850 grams, baby Zoe Ireland (we love her name!) is said to be thriving but will have to remain in intensive care at the Rotunda for the next few months.
Mum Jenny says “We are just so grateful to everyone who helped and are thankful she is doing well.”
