A deployed female gunner unexpectedly gave birth at the Afghan frontlines.

The soldier, who is a gunner for the Royal Regiment of Artillery was allegedly unaware of her pregnancy until she experienced severe stomach pains. Pediatric specialists from the John Radcliffe hospital were then flown in to her location, and she gave birth to a premature baby boy in Camp Bastion in Helmand Province.

The unnamed gunner is the first soldier to ever give birth while stationed in the front lines. “Usually once we find out about a woman being pregnant, we send her back to the UK on maternity leave, but this time, the baby came too fast,” a spokesman from the Ministry of Defense said.

The mom was reportedly unaware of her pregnancy, something that officials found puzzling, but also understandable given the circumstances.

“Medically, it is possible for a woman not to notice a pregnancy, but it’s very, very unusual,” Dr. Jack Singer, from Harley Street Pediatric Group explained. “It’s with great difficulty that a pregnancy goes unnoticed. I mean, most women would find amenorrhea unusual, or notice a bump at least in the third trimester.”

However, the doctor also added that we cannot forget that the new mom is also a soldier. “If you’re wearing all that gear and carrying equipment, it’s not as obvious as if you’re used to wearing black cocktail dresses,” he added. “These women are under huge stresses and strains, so they can ignore what’s going on with their body.”

Mom and baby are doing well; the baby was born five weeks premature. Camp Bastion was recently ambushed by three insurgents last week who destroyed jets and killed two American soldiers.