Mother returns to thank GDF, Medical Student for safe delivery of baby onboard aircraft

Susan Williams and her three-day-old daughter who was successfully delivered onboard a Guyana Defence Force’s aircraft, yesterday (Tuesday, May 30, 2017) paid a visit to the Chief Of Staff, Brigadier Patrick West.

Williams was accompanied by her partner Diego Wilson, who said he is very pleased to have had the encounter.

A number of female Officers and Ranks were on hand to welcome the Infant in the arms of her mother and father.

“I was afraid bad when they said the baby wasn’t coming and that the foot was showing. I am glad that everything is alright now,” he said, adding how relieved he was that the baby is safe.

An elated Williams expressed thanks to the Guyana Defence Force for all the assistance she received. “Thanks to all of you for being kind. You help us out a lot,” she said.

On Saturday afternoon (May 27, 2017), the GDF aircraft was transformed into a delivery room as a baby girl anxiously made her entrance into the world mid-air.

She was born at exactly 05:48 pm during a scheduled flight out of Fairview; an Amerindian Village in the North Rupununi.

According to the GDF, the mother had developed complications as the infant was in the breeched position and so a request was made for her to be air dashed to the city.

The delivery was spearheaded by a Medical Student of the Texila American University, Jemina West who was fortunately onboard according to the Force.

On Tuesday, the Medical Student says she is still “coming to terms” with everything that occurred.

“I really did not expect this to happen, but I was excited for the baby to come. I was pretty calm throughout it even though I was worried for some time. This experience has more than convinced me that I have chosen the right field,” she noted.

Brigadier West told the parents that he was happy that the GDF would have contributed to the safe and timely delivery of the baby, and ensuring that she was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital for Primary Healthcare.

He also pledged constant and continued contact with the parents throughout the child’s life.

The baby has not yet been named but she was fondly called ‘Skylar’ by ranks during her visit.

This is the first known mid-air delivery, in recent times for the GDF.