Woman Delivers Baby Mid-Flight and Names Him 'Skylen' | His Birth Certificate Says He Was Born 'In the Air'

A woman who was seven months pregnant unexpectedly gave birth mid-flight while she was traveling from Hartford to the Dominican Republic last month. Kendria Rhoden thought she had six weeks left before the birth of her baby but she was in for a shock when her water broke on an American Airlines flight. “Everything just happened so fast, it just happened so quick,” Rhoden told WFSB. Her baby was to come into the world on Oct. 23 but he arrived in early September.

Describing the one-of-a-kind delivery, Rhoden explained, “While I was asleep I felt someone kick me in my stomach, and then my water broke.” There were a number of nurses on board who jumped to help but it didn't take too long for the baby to come out. “They were like ‘oh don’t push, don’t push because we don’t see any head,’” Rhoden said. “I’m like ‘the babies coming!’” Before the plane landed, Rhoden's son made his arrival.

What did she name her baby boy? "His name is Skylen," Rhoden told WFSB. "Because he was born in the plane." While her son is a U.S. citizen, his place of birth is listed on his birth certificate as "in the air," according to the outlet. “I feel good now because I’m home and he’s safe, he’s where he needs to be right now,” Rhoden said. “So, I would say I’m happier than I was in the Dominican Republic.”

American Airlines confirmed the birth of the baby on a September flight in a statement to PEOPLE. "Upon landing, the customer was transported to a local hospital for evaluation," the spokesperson wrote. "We thank our team members and medical professionals on board for their professionalism and quick action."

Internet users reacted to the baby's arrival in absolute delight. One person tweeted: His place of birth is listed as “in the air” lol. That’s so cool. Welcome baby Skylen!!!! Another said: That’s beautiful.. a baby named Skylen, birth certificate states “born in the air” that’s so cute and unique because he was born in the plane. A similar story took place on a Frontier Airlines flight where a baby was born in the plane's toilet! The mum went into early labor while flying from Denver to Orlando, reports The Independent. After her baby was born she decided to keep her newborn's middle name ‘Sky' in tribute to her unique arrival, according to a Facebook post by the airline. 

References:

https://www.wfsb.com/2022/10/03/hartford-woman-gives-birth-baby-mid-flight/

https://people.com/human-interest/woman-welcomes-baby-mid-flight-weeks-before-due-date-birth-certificate-born-in-the-air/

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/baby-born-on-plane-named-sky-b2082599.html

Cover Image Source: Getty Images/Catherine Delahaye