Soldier gives birth in barracks

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A soldier who concealed her pregnancy gave birth to a baby girl in her Army barracks, the MoD has confirmed.

The 20-year-old mother is said to have delivered the 6lb (2.7kg) child herself on Friday.

The little girl was eventually discovered by another soldier who heard her crying at Abingdon Barracks in Oxfordshire.

Both the mother and her baby are now being cared for in hospital in Oxford, the Ministry of Defence said.

No criminal case

An MoD spokesman said: "We can confirm that a baby was born in military accommodation, in Abingdon, on Friday.

"Both mother and baby are being cared for in hospital.

"We can confirm that the mother is a serving soldier and all welfare needs of both mother and child are being addressed."

The child is thought to be the first baby born at a British Army barracks.

More than 17,000 members of the British Armed Forces are female and they are entitled to 26 weeks paid maternity leave.

Thames Valley Police, which liaised with social services after the birth, said there was no criminal case.