Baby born in Camp Bastion!

[FairPhyllis]

A soldier has given birth in Camp Bastion, after not realizing she was pregnant. The baby was five weeks prem. Link.

I hope the surprise has helped morale at the camp. But what I would like to know (because I am endlessly fascinated by stories of births in weird places), is what citizenship does the baby get? Will it have Afghan citizenship? Can it get British citizenship from being born in a British base? (The mother is Fijian)

afaik British bases abroad are regarded as British territory, a bit like embassies, so there wouldn't be any question of the baby having Afghan nationality.

That should have been a

The mother and baby will be flown back to Uk and the birth registered here (with Bastion listed as the place). They won't have envisaged these circumstances when drawing up the SOFA, but I expect the nationality will be whatever the child would be entitled to if born here.

As you can imagine its a hot topic of conversation here today. Sadly mostly leaning towards the 'bloody women' stance. I would be surprised if any of the soldiers are seeing it as a morale boost - more likely a 'fucking hell, now we have to do her job too'

As she is Fijian I would assume the baby is automatically Fijian - I haven't heard if the mother is married or not - we have a lot of Foreign and Commonwealth soldiers. If the father is British and she is married to him she can register the child as British.

Hell of a 'claim to fame' as the child grows up!

I find it amazing that she didn't know (and no, that isn't a doubtful PA amazing) as DD was born almost 6 weeks prem and by God did I know I was pregnant (!), but if it was a straightforward pregnancy any 'side-effects' were probably put down to Service. As an RA Gunner the soldier would have had a strenuous job (so lots of aches and pains), D&V is commonplace (hygiene), loss of periods commonplace (stress), insomnia, high temperature etc.

Oi mumsnet, my blushes are coming out skeptical!

Apols peeps, I am embarrassed NOT skeptical!

But MN has got a wonk

They were talking to an expert on the today program on radio 4 - she said it isn't as uncommon as you think - and apparently relatively more common in Ireland (no idea why !).

Thats a bit crap that people are being negative about it dallas but not suprising having read some commentd under the bbc article :(

Ffs its a baby, a lovely little suprise and mum and baby are well, be happy!

Although there are plenty of competent medical staff there and excellent general facilities, there will be no maternity or neonatal services and the HCPs won't be in date for deliveries etc. As lack of antenatal care can be associated with poor outcomes, I'm just glad that they are both reported as OK.

They are flying a neo-natal team etc out there to care for them and accompany them on the flight home etc. some are complaining about that saying its nit necessary!

i thought it wasnt recomended prem babies fly? Anyway pleased they are ok and being looked after, makes sense to have a specialist team to accompany them on the flight to me.

5mad, I think its probably something to do with cabin pressure - and if they are flown back on a Herc its not an issue - Hercs fly lower.

Cannot see any comments under the article (work PC is blocked) - I take it they are bad? I dread to think what is being said on ARRSE. Ho hum, yet another stick to bash Servicewomen with. Not like I'm not used to it by now

Aww!! Bet that shocked the med ctr staff!!

Not sure about nationality because bastion is not just a British base. If it was a British base i think the baby could have a Britu=ish nationality. I am guessing that perhaps the baby will have fijian nationality based on the theory its a multi national base.

Just guessing though!

No, they're stable, and the retrieval team is reported as routine for flying preemies (specialist cot, I think).

I've just had a look on ArRSe (is that blocked for you at work too?) there is a thread, but it's pretty mild.

I believe her - I find the lying woman stance abhorrent - what are they hoping to prove?

With DD1 although I knew I was pregnant from the first day I could test I had virtually no pregnancy symptoms apart from a slight loss of appetite in the first 12 weeks & tiredness in the last 10. I had an anterior placenta and good stomach muscles - I had to concentrate incredibly hard to feel any kicks - so much so that I went to the midwife several times as I was concerned.
At the time I thought it was normal(ish) but having since had DD2; with whom the placenta was out of the way & the stomach muscles were pretty terrible; I can see that if someone hadn't experienced it they might not believe how little could be felt.

scaevola, no strangely enough I can get onto ARRSE. The powers that be haven't blocked that. Sometimes its a good site for info.

I was avoiding it though as I assumed there would be a thread, assumed it would be in the NAAFI and that it would be horrible. Glad to hear it's mild - well for now anyway.

Why would it boost morale? There have been enough UK KIAs and seriously injured personnel in the last two weeks that a personal soapy tit wank from might just have a tiny impact on morale.

I've had several emails about it from family and friends and seriously, there is more to be concerned about than this soldier. Cartoons of the prophet Mohammed for a start.

I'm having a tough tour a great time...

Do we know whether it's a boy or a girl?

What will she call it? It must have Bastion in it's name somewhere!

And who is its father?

Wow - what a woman !

I never felt a kick with my pregnancy .
The only movement I ever felt was during the last week when I had a horrible
"pulling" sensation when I moved in bed .

Baby was ,apparently ,lying diaganolly and back to back and was big .
Though what difference that made I have no idea .

Its a boy apparently PowerDresser.

What about 'Stan?

Baby is a boy :)

redright i am sorry you are having a tough time :( i have massive admiration for forces personel who do an amazing and important job. my dad was RAF so forces was a big part of my life growing up.

In terms of a morale boost i guess i meant that its a nice news story from afghanistan for a change? and new life is a lovely thing, obviously the unusual circumstances have made it news.

The losses suffered by firces peronel and their families are awful as are the injuries that so many get and these are sadly under reported, forgotten casualties it seems :(

I guess i see new life as new hope, it is special as are all babies and just something positive in a shitty situation.

Hope your tour goes speedily and you are home safe soon red and all other mnetters serving or mnetters who have family serving.

How can you not know you are pregnant the lack of monthly bleeding and the feeling of something moving around inside should be a pretty big clue, you'd at least go to the doctor.

Naming should be easy........ Sebastian

Some people still get bleefing each month and not everyone feels movement.

Really? when i was bleeding in early pregnancy it was treated as a matter of grave concern they thought it was a miscarriage turned out to be a popped cist.