Baby born on Spirit Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale

Woman gives birth before plane could be diverted to New Orleans

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. ā€“ A woman gave birth to a baby boy on a recent Spirit Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale to Dallas.

Christina Penton was 36 weeks pregnant when she told flight attendants that she wasn't feeling well.

"Everything started happening very quickly," Penton said. "I didn't think I was having the baby, because it was too soon, but after a few minutes, I knew I needed medical attention. The flight attendants contacted doctors on the ground, and they advised the flight attendants to see if there were any medical personnel on board.Ā  As it turned out, there was a pediatrician and a nurse.Ā  Soon after that, it was clear I was having my baby, and I was in pure panic."

The flight was diverted to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, but the baby was born before the plane landed.

Christoph Lezcano weighed in at 7 pounds and was 19.5 inches tall.

Penton and her newborn son were taken to a hospital in Kenner, Louisiana, as a precaution. Both mother and baby are OK.