Woman gives birth on Delta flight to Portland

Key Points

Ashley Blair gave birth to a girl on a Delta flight from Atlanta to Portland.
Two paramedics assisted using a shoelace and passenger blankets.
There is a discrepancy between Delta's statement and the paramedic's account about a doctor's involvement.

Two paramedics, Tina Fritz and Kaarin Powell, assisted in the delivery. They used a shoelace to tie the umbilical cord and borrowed blankets from passengers. Passenger Jess Cushenberry offered her blanket to the laboring mother. Fritz described the experience as "a once-in-a-lifetime experience," according to Daily Mail - News. Fritz said on social media that the baby "pinked up right away" and was "gorgeous."

The birth occurred approximately 20-30 minutes before landing. After landing, the mother and baby were transported to a local hospital for observation. Delta Air Lines stated that a doctor and two nurses assisted, but paramedic Tina Fritz said there was no doctor involved, according to multiple reports. The reason for this discrepancy remains unclear.