The Most Unbelievable Places Women Have Given Birth

Childbirth is a life-changing event, and every woman’s birth story is unique. While most women give birth in hospitals or birthing centers, some women find themselves in unexpected and even unbelievable places when it’s time to bring their babies into the world. Here are five of the most unbelievable places women have given birth.

1. A Subway Station in New York City

In 2013, a woman named Polly McCourt went into labor while riding the subway in New York City. She was on her way to the hospital when she realized she wasn’t going to make it. When the train stopped at a station, fellow passengers helped her off the train and called for medical assistance. However, Polly's baby was coming quickly, and there wasn't enough time for medical professionals to arrive. With the help of strangers, Polly gave birth to a healthy baby girl on the platform of the 34th Street-Herald Square subway station. Polly’s story quickly went viral, and she and her baby were featured in news outlets all over the world. In interviews, Polly shared that she was grateful for the kindness of strangers who helped her during such an unexpected and scary situation. She also emphasized the importance of being prepared for the unexpected, as she had not anticipated giving birth on a subway platform that day.

2. A Tree in Kenya

In 2014, a woman named Faith Nyokabi gave birth in a tree in Kenya. Faith was out gathering firewood when she suddenly went into labor. She climbed up into a nearby tree for safety and privacy and gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Faith’s husband went to get help, and eventually, rescuers arrived to bring her and the baby to a local hospital for further care. Faith’s story highlights the importance of being resourceful and adaptable during unexpected situations. In areas where medical facilities may not be easily accessible, it’s important to know how to improvise and make do with what’s available. Faith’s quick thinking and determination ensured that she and her baby received the care they needed.

3. A Plane Flying Over Greece

In 2020, a woman gave birth on a flight from Lagos, Nigeria to Athens, Greece. She went into labor mid-flight, and the cabin crew asked if there was a doctor on board. Fortunately, there was a doctor on the flight who helped deliver the baby girl. The plane made an emergency landing in Athens, and both the mother and baby were taken to a nearby hospital for further care. Giving birth on a plane is extremely rare, but it does happen from time to time. Most airlines have policies in place for dealing with such situations, and flight attendants are trained in basic first aid and emergency procedures. While giving birth on a plane may be an unlikely scenario, it’s important for expectant mothers to be aware of the risks of traveling during pregnancy and to plan accordingly.

4. On a Ski Lift

In 2021, a woman named Bethany Hughes went into labor while skiing at a resort in Utah. She and her husband were on a ski lift when she realized that she was going to give birth soon. Her husband quickly contacted the ski patrol, who transported the couple to a medical clinic at the base of the mountain. However, their baby girl was born before they could make it off the ski lift. The ski patrol and clinic staff were able to assist with the delivery and ensure that the baby was healthy.

5. In a Hurricane Shelter

When Hurricane Harvey hit Texas in 2017, many people were forced to evacuate their homes and seek shelter. One of these evacuees was a woman named Trisha Meyer, who unexpectedly went into labor while staying in a hurricane shelter. Meyer delivered her baby with the assistance of shelter staff, who had limited medical supplies and equipment available. However, both mother and baby were healthy and were later transported to a hospital.