Mother of newborn fears fine or arrest

A WATERFORD woman who gave birth to a premature baby girl in South Africa in January may face a massive fine – or even be arrested – when she tries to leave the country.

The 30-year-old was working as cabin crew for a Middle Eastern airline when she gave birth in her hotel room while on a 24-hour stopover in Johannesburg.

She had been suffering with cramps and nausea, but was told by her company doctor it was an ulcer.

“I didn’t know I was pregnant,” she said. “It was a big shock and I gave birth right there in the hotel room.”

The baby, Alexandra Johanna, was three months premature and weighed just 2.3lb. She spent several weeks in intensive care and her mother now has medical bills in excess of €40,000.

An employee of an Islamic company, as the woman is not married or living in South Africa, she claims her medical insurance has been revoked and she does not know where she stands with her employment.

But it is not the only hurdle the new mother – who is alone with her baby in Johannesburg – is facing.

“Because I came into the country on a cabin crew visa I have no stamp on my passport to say I arrived,” she said. “At the moment I’m in the country illegally and face a fine for doing so. Alexandra’s status is ‘South African alien’ until we get her passport. I have been advised that unless I get the correct stamp on my passport I could even be arrested,” she said.

The Irish Embassy has been assisting the woman.

“I was told to go to a ‘home affairs office’ but it has taken a few days of queuing up at different offices to find out I’ve been at the wrong one. It’s very hard now that she is out of hospital as these offices are not the most hygienic places to bring a premature baby.”

A statement from the airline involved said it had paid for the hospitalisation of the member of staff and the costs associated with the birth of her baby.

“When the cabin crew member was discharged from hospital, the airline paid for two weeks accommodation to provide time for her and her family to make longer-term arrangements,” a spokesperson said.

“During this time she was offered leave, followed by unpaid leave while she decides on her next steps.”