Delivering a baby can be stressful — even in a hospital. But what if you were mid-transfer, with only minutes to prepare? That was the reality for Ali, a mum from Katherine who went into labour two weeks early.
With a pre-diagnosed kidney condition requiring specialist care at birth, clinicians at Katherine Hospital moved quickly to arrange an aeromedical transfer to Royal Darwin Hospital, where Ali had planned to give birth. But as the aircraft approached Darwin, labour progressed rapidly — and baby Archer was delivered shortly after touchdown, in the back of the ambulance, with support from the CareFlight crew.
“I was only 2cm dilated when I got to Katherine Hospital, so they thought I’d make it to Darwin in time,” Ali said. “But once we were in the air, everything changed. My contractions ramped up quickly.”
On board the CareFlight plane, flight nurse and qualified midwife Courtney supported Ali throughout the journey.
“She helped me move to a bigger bed and stayed with me the whole time,” Ali said. “She held my hand and helped me breathe through every contraction. I remember saying, ‘I can’t do it,’ and Courtney just kept encouraging me. She never left my side.”
After landing, Ali was unable to walk and was transferred directly into a waiting ambulance for the final leg to hospital. During this short road transfer, labour progressed further — and Archer was born en route.
“Courtney said he was delivered with the membranes still intact and had to gently open them,” Ali recalled. “It all felt so surreal. But I knew I was in safe hands. Having a midwife on board made all the difference.”
Archer was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit and later diagnosed with Down syndrome. He received treatment for jaundice and other complications and spent nearly a month in hospital before being discharged home.
“If we’d had to drive three hours to Darwin, I don’t know what would’ve happened,” Ali said. “There were complications straight after birth, and he needed urgent care. We’re so lucky CareFlight was there. His arrival might have been dramatic — but he was meant for us.”
Courtney, who supported the birth from mid-air to ambulance, said preparation and teamwork are key to unpredictable missions like this.
“We always prepare for the unexpected,” she said. “My focus was on keeping mum safe, calm and supported. She was incredibly strong and composed. It was a privilege to be part of Archer’s arrival.”
CareFlight Northern Operations General Manager Jodie Mills-Mitchell said the mission highlights the critical role of aeromedical retrieval in regional and remote parts of the Northern Territory.
“Our clinicians never know exactly what they’ll face when they respond to a call — but they bring the skills, judgement and care to meet the moment. In this case, Courtney being a midwife was the difference,” she said.
“Having that level of flexibility and experience in our teams means patients — no matter how remote — can access urgent medical care when it matters most.”
Photos and interviews available on request.
