On November 14, 2023, Ornge was called to transport an obstetrical patient who, at 22.5 weeks gestation, was facing some complications. Little did anyone know that this call would lead to a miraculous birth story, and an even more inspiring story of survival.

When medics Brandon and Justin arrived at their patient’s bedside at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, she was in labour but hadn’t progressed for several hours. It was decided that she would be transported to London because of her early gestation and the associated risks to both mom and baby.

The patient was transported by ambulance from Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre to the Ornge hangar, where pilots Elizabeth and William were preparing for flight. The crew and patient were loaded into the plane and departed toward London. 45 minutes into the flight, the patient indicated she felt a rush of liquid between her legs, and medics took immediate action.

“I got the paediatric bag from the front cabinet where it was stored at the time of this call,” recalls Critical Care Paramedic (CCP) Brandon. “I removed the equipment that we would require to deliver the child and care for the mother in a timely manner. Once the head was present, the rest of the baby delivered quite rapidly.” Weighing less than one lb. at only 22.5 weeks, Brianna made her entrance into this world over the waters of Lake Superior. While medics provided care to the mom, they simultaneously initiated the Neonatal Resuscitation Program guidelines for Brianna. After a conversation with Ornge’s paediatric transport medicine physician, the sending obstetrics physician, and the receiving neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) physician, the decision was made to turn the plane around.

“Because we had to keep baby as warm as possible, we decided to return to base and tow the aircraft into the hangar to complete the transfer into the ambulance as safely as possible,” explains pilot Elizabeth. In coordination with Ornge’s Operations Control Centre (OCC), the crew returned to Thunder Bay where everyone available was activated to clear room inside the Ornge hangar and prep the incubator for little Brianna. Once landed, the plane was pushed inside the hangar and the doors were closed to try and maintain a safe temperature for the transfer to the incubator. Despite the cold November weather, Brianna was safely transferred into the incubator and was transported back to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre with her mom. “It took everyone on shift to complete the transfer safely and it was such a special moment for everyone involved,” says Elizabeth.

Infants born earlier than 37 weeks gestation are considered preterm, and for extreme preterm infants (less than 25 weeks gestation), the rates of survival are approximately 28-50%. Against all odds and thanks to Ornge staff, Brianna survived and was transported to the Victoria Children’s Hospital in London. The transport team later received a stork award for their hard work on this call. 

One year later, Brianna and her great aunt Jennifer were able to visit the Thunder Bay hangar to connect with two crew members who cared for Brianna as she made her entrance into this world: pilot Elizabeth and CCP Brandon. “The medics did an incredible job keeping mom and baby safe. I feel immensely lucky to have been involved in such a special moment, and it was an immense pleasure to meet little Brianna a year later,” says Elizabeth.
 
“We are truly grateful to be celebrating Brianna’s first birthday; both my niece and my great niece received above and beyond care from this dynamic team,” says Brianna’s aunt Jennifer. “Not only did the transport crew make split-second, life-saving decisions, but the team inside the hangar activated to assist with thinking outside-the-box to ensure Brianna and her mom’s survival. They saved our entire family enduring lifelong grief. Truly our angels in the sky!”

During the visit, Brianna took in the scenes of the hangar, weighing a healthy 13.8 lbs. On November 14, we wished Brianna a very happy first birthday and many more years of health and happiness. Thank you to medics Brandon and Justin along with pilots Elizabeth and William for your work on this call, and to Ornge’s OCC for coordinating.
 
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• Patients and Families