A British mother who gave birth five weeks early while on holiday in Tenerife is unable to return home because her newborn son does not have a passport. Chantelle Ali, 33, delivered son Rico at 7:08 p.m. on July 12, the last day of her break with partner Ben Major. Nearly two weeks later, the family remains stuck in the lengthy process of obtaining an emergency travel document for Rico.
Living out of a carrier bag
Chantelle, from Gloucester, has been living out of a carrier bag in a flat in Playa de las Americas because her suitcase is stuck at the airport. She described the experience as highly emotional and mentally draining, adding that giving birth prematurely in a foreign country is very scary. She relies on Google Translate to communicate with nurses who mostly do not speak English.
The birth and aftermath
Chantelle's waters began leaking two days before delivery, but she thought it could wait until returning home. After a boat trip, she started having contractions and initially thought it was Braxton Hicks. She asked reception to call an ambulance when the pain did not improve. Rico was intended to be delivered by C-section in England but was born after a full day's labor and now has a Spanish birth certificate. Being five weeks premature, he had breathing issues and remains in the ICU receiving oxygen.
Ben had to return to the UK the next day to arrange childcare for their two other children and care for their dog before returning. Chantelle described the labor as the worst and most painful among her children, and felt scared being left alone in a foreign hospital.
Financial and logistical challenges
The hospital stay is covered by insurance, but the family must fund other expenses, including a £400-per-week flat and transportation. The hospital is an hour-long bus ride from where they get supplies. Chantelle's suitcase is stuck at the airport, and retrieving it would cost £150. She is living out of a carrier bag, wearing the same three dresses repeatedly, and surviving on bread rolls and bananas due to difficulty finding English food.
Paperwork and support
To bring Rico home, the family must provide both passports, birth certificates, a MATB1 form, proof of flights, baby photos, hospital documents, and proof of prematurity. They have no date for when this might be completed. Chantelle feels overwhelmed by the paperwork but remains hopeful that each day brings her closer to home.
Charity Lia's Wings, which provides hospital air transfers for children, is supporting the family. Charlotte Young, chief operating officer, said: 'We've recently had the privilege of supporting two families whose babies were born prematurely while they were on holiday in Tenerife. We're continuing to support Rico's family. As soon as the necessary documentation is in place, we'll send a medical escort team to help facilitate a safe journey back to the UK and into NHS care.'
