Chantelle Ali, 33, from Gloucester, is stranded in Tenerife with her newborn son Rico after giving birth five weeks early during what was meant to be a 'babymoon' holiday. She had been enjoying the final day of her break with partner Ben Major when labour pains began at 35 weeks.
After an urgent transfer to hospital by hotel staff and a full day of labour, Rico was born at 7:08pm on July 12. Nearly two weeks later, Chantelle and Rico cannot return home while they navigate the lengthy process to obtain emergency travel documentation for their baby.
Living Out of a Carrier Bag
Chantelle has been living out of a carrier bag in an apartment in Playa de las Américas, as her luggage remains stuck at the airport. She said: 'It has been a highly emotional and mentally draining experience. Not just to have a baby prematurely but in a foreign country is very scary.'
She relies on Google Translate to communicate with medical staff, adding: 'There are a few nurses who can speak English but there are obviously a lot that can't. It is always worrying because you don't know if you are getting all the correct information.'
The Birth
Chantelle's waters broke two days before delivery, but with limited time left on holiday, she planned to seek medical attention upon returning home. After a boat excursion, she began experiencing contractions, which she initially thought were Braxton Hicks. When the pain did not subside, she went to the hotel reception and asked staff to call an ambulance, which took her to Our Lady of Candelaria University Hospital.
Rico, whose name was chosen before his arrival, was originally scheduled for a C-section in England but was born after a full day of labour. He now has a Spanish birth certificate. Born five weeks early, he had respiratory difficulties and remains in the ICU receiving oxygen.
Family Separation
Ben had to fly back to the UK on their originally booked flight the next day to arrange childcare for their two other children and place their dog with a relative, before returning. Chantelle recalled: 'It was the worst labour out of all my kids, it was the most painful. It was the worst 48 hours ever. I had just given birth to a premature baby and my partner had to go. I was just left here in a foreign hospital on my own. It was quite scary.'
The hospital is an hour's bus journey from where they collect groceries. While insurance covers hospital expenses, the family must pay for everything else, including £400 weekly apartment rental and travel costs. Chantelle's luggage is stuck at the airport, with a £150 charge to retrieve it. She is managing with just a carrier bag, rotating between three garments.
Paperwork and Return
To bring Rico home, the family must provide passports, birth certificates, MATB1 documentation, flight confirmation, photos of the infant, hospital records, and evidence of his premature birth. No date has been set for their return. Chantelle said: 'It is just crazy that my son has been born here, and he has been born here whilst they have won the World Cup.'
Charity Lia's Wings, which arranges medical air transport for children, is assisting 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.'
