OVERSEAS
Family planning overseas Being posted overseas offers many opportunities and challenges but how does it work if you fall pregnant in a location that’s not home? AFF’s overseas team has been finding out… KENYA Wherever you are posted, you may choose to return to the UK to give birth but, if you are accompanying your soldier to Kenya, that decision will be made for you. Expectant mothers in Kenya cannot stay in the country after 32 weeks’ gestation or earlier if your pregnancy is high risk.
24 Army&You summer 2017
You cannot return until the baby has completed their primary immunisations and can take malarial chemoprophylaxis (at approximately four-months old). This is to protect you and your baby in case of any complications or emergencies. Abbie Allatt, who will be returning to UK to have her baby, told us: “The medical staff provide excellent care
but there’s no contact with a midwife.” Abbie also raised concerns about the inevitable strains that will be placed on her family having to be separated for around a six-month period and that, on return, there is no health visitor in Kenya to conduct regular routine baby checks. AFF’s Kenya Co-ordinator (kenya@aff.org.uk) will be able to help with any concerns.
Khaleesi Abbie Allatt & daughter @ArmyandYou