ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Channel 9's Nancy Alvarez sat down with the parents of "Baby Jet," who was born on a Southwest flight in December. The flight was headed to Orlando when it was diverted to Charleston, South Carolina, after his mother went into labor.
“His lungs are getting stronger. He’s gaining weight. He’s a little over 4 pounds now,” said Erica Walton.
Jet Walton was born 14 weeks early. He’s now 7 weeks old getting stronger every day at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando. Jet weighs four pounds, four ounces.
Walton sat down with Alvarez to discuss the moment when she went into labor in December. She said it started as back pain.
“I was adjusting myself in the seat and I said, ‘Oh, my God, my water broke,’ and he (my husband) said, ‘What?’” Walton said.
“You don't know what to do; (there's) nothing you can do. I just tried to get the attention of the flight attendant, and her eyes got so big,” said Chris Walton.
At 26 weeks and with a healthy pregnancy, Erica Walton's doctor had cleared her to fly. The couple was returning home to Titusville from a baby shower in their hometown in Pennsylvania.
“I was just like, ‘Oh, my God, please tell me my baby's alive.’ And then he opened his eyes and I thought, 'Oh my gosh,'” Erica Walton said.
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Erica Walton said she credits her career as a nurse for her reaction.
“Being a nurse, things like this happen all the time," she said. "So I thought, stay calm and we’re gonna get through it.”
She also praised two doctors and a nurse, Loretta Bledsoe, who were on the plane and rushed to her side.
“Loretta was amazing. She got blankets and kept him nice and warm and held the oxygen to his face,” said Erica Walton.
Walton and the nurse reunited Monday for the first time since the delivery.
“We’ve only known her 20 minutes, but we feel like we know her. She’s family,” said Chris Walton.
Bledsoe was also able to see the baby she helped deliver on the plane.
“I always feel like God puts you where you need to be. Who would have thought? We got on that plane not knowing each other. Now we're lifelong friends,” Bledsoe said.
Jet will stay at Nemours as he continues to develop. He was due the first week of March, so it’s possible he’ll stay in the hospital that long.
Cox Media Group
