A U.S. Navy sailor unexpectedly gave birth to a baby girl aboard an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf involved in military operations against the Islamic State.
A Navy spokesman told the Virginia Pilot on Monday that the sailor had complained of abdominal pains and was checked into the medical department on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, where she later gave birth to a 7-pound girl.
Both the sailor and her daughter are "healthy and doing well," said Cmdr. Bill Urban, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command spokesman. The chain of command was not informed of the pregnancy and it remains unclear whether the sailor knew she was pregnant prior to giving birth.
The sailor gave birth as the ship was operating in the Persian Gulf. The Eisenhower is currently supporting the U.S.-led air campaign against ISIS.
"As the baby was born at sea aboard an operational unit, the main focus for the U.S. Navy, the ship, and its crew is the safety and wellbeing of the baby and the mother," Urban said. "The baby and mother have arrived in Bahrain via helicopter with a medical escort and have been taken to a shore-based hospital for follow on care."
Expectant mothers are permitted to remain onboard a ship up to the 20th week of their pregnancy, according to Urban.
"While it would have been preferred to send her to her homeport earlier, per policy, we are now focused on caring for the health and welfare of our sailor and the newest member of our Navy family," Urban said. "We are working a plan to move them to a shore-based hospital as soon as possible."