LONDON: Britain’s military says a soldier has unexpectedly given birth while serving in Afghanistan.
The ministry confirmed on Thursday that the unidentified woman delivered a son on Tuesday at Camp Bastion, Britain’s major logistical base in the desert of southern Afghanistan’s Helmand province.
A specialist team is being deployed from Britain to help bring home the woman — a gunner with the Royal Artillery — and her child. The defense ministry said both were in a stable condition at the base.
The woman had deployed to Afghanistan in March, meaning her child was conceived before her tour of duty began.
Britain does not allow female soldiers to deploy on operation if they are pregnant, and the defense ministry said it had not been aware of the woman’s pregnancy.
British soldier gives birth in Afghanistan
