A nurse in China has received widespread acclaim for her quick and calm response in saving the life of a premature baby during a flight.
On August 3, a woman who was 25 weeks pregnant gave birth in the toilet of a Southern Airlines flight traveling from Haikou, Hainan Province, to Beijing, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The mother was en route to Beijing with her four-year-old daughter to reunite with her husband.
Chen Shanshan, a nurse from the neonatal department at Hainan Provincial People’s Hospital, sprang into action after flight attendants called for emergency medical assistance. Chen found the mother, identified only as Zhang, holding a tiny infant still covered in fetal membranes.
With help from two doctors from her hospital, Chen carefully removed the membrane to allow the baby to breathe. They quickly realized the newborn’s condition was critical—the baby was pale, not crying, and had no detectable pulse. Despite their efforts, the baby did not respond to stimulation.
“This tiny life is in grave danger. Every second counts,” Chen said as she performed emergency CPR on the newborn.
Chen requested a warm water bag from the cabin crew to stabilize the baby’s temperature, which is crucial for premature infants at risk of severe complications.
The baby’s condition improved as her breathing and heartbeat stabilized. The pilot then made an emergency landing in Changsha, Hunan Province, to ensure the safety of the infant and her mother.
Chen continued chest compressions for 90 minutes until the baby was transferred to a hospital in Changsha. “It was only when I saw the baby being taken into the rescue room that I realized my arms were numb,” she recounted.
Upon learning about the birth of his daughter, Zhang’s husband rushed to the hospital in Changsha. The infant, initially weighing just 820 grams, gained 50 grams during her two-week hospital stay. In a video message to Chen, the father expressed gratitude: “Thank you for your crucial help. We will always remember you.”
Chen humbly noted that she was focused solely on saving the baby and also thanked the cabin crew and the two doctors for their support.
The story has sparked widespread praise for Chen on social media across China.
