Last Updated on May 9, 2023
The Rumor Mill
Rumor: My husband will be sent home from deployment for the birth of our child. I heard they will for the first child but not for others.
What Actually Happens
Fact: Some units do, in fact, try to send soldiers home from deployment in time to witness the birth of their child (whether it is the first or fifth). My husband’s unit was one of these units. I don’t know a single father who missed the birth of his child while my husband served.
However, I also know that his unit is the exception to the rule and not the rule.
For most units, it is difficult to ensure that the soldier can return for the birth of a baby. While the unit will generally try to schedule R&R time to coincide with the baby’s birth, this is not always possible.
Even with the best of intentions, soldiers may not make it home in time to witness the birth.
Establish a Plan B
Because of this, many hospitals (particularly military hospitals) are beginning to make special accommodations for fathers to be able to witness the birth of their sons and daughters.
Through webcams and FaceTime, soldiers can witness the birth from thousands of miles away.
If your soldier cannot be present for the birth, check into these options so he can be as close as possible when your new little one makes his entrance into the world.
i see everyones questions were about having babies during deployment but i diddnt see one about OSUT or BCT
My husband came home for 2 weeks when our son was born.
But where would I call or let them know my due date ? How or who should I contact?
My husband will more than likely be deploying a month before I’m due. Since it’s a 9 month deployment he won’t get to come home for R&R. Should we just plan on him not being at the birth? He said he wasn’t sure if they would allow him to return home for it.
Hello Stacey or anyone who can help, my husband and I are expecting our first birth march 2…. I called the Red Cross as told and they were actually of no help. Told me that they could not help my husband being home and it was on his commandor to send him home to see the birth because when our child is born he will not be in Afghanistan yet. His officers are telling him differently…. What can we do? I feel it shouldn’t be this hard because he is still here in the states but it seems impossible for him to make the birth of his son…. I am desperate for help and any advice would be helpful…. thanks Arlice
If someone could help me I have a question. My boyfriend has planned to go into the army. He plans on signing up in the begging of May. We recently found out we are pregnant with our second child. My due date is September 19. My concern is if he is in AIT, will he be able to leave to be there for the birth of the baby? I am not 100% sure if he will be in AIT or not, as he has not even left for basic yet. I’m not sure if anyone will know the answer or if I will have to wait till he has left to find out for sure. Please help me if you can. Thank you.
Also, if he can come home to be there with us at the birth, how long will he be able to stay before returning to AIT? We will be married before he leaves for basic, so I don’t see why this would be a problem. I would really appreciate some answers on this. Although I am not very far along, I would like to plan ahead the best I can seeing as I have another child to worry about. Again, any help would be greatly appreciated.
I need some advice as for what to do. I am in a bit of a tough place. My son is due in about 2 weeks and his father is at Fort Lee for AIT. The only thing is, we are not married. I do not find it fair that he may not be allowed to be home for the birth of his son and I need help as to what to do. The NCO basically just told me no, but someone else I had just spoke to said possibly. I need him to be there and so does his son… What do I do?
It’s up to his command whether he’s allowed to come home. Whatever they say is what goes. He would need to ask for the leave time to be able to go home for the birth.
Hey! My husband just left today for a 9 month rotation to Germany. Our first child is due in January. Will they be able to send him home in time for my induction? I’ll be getting induced at 39 weeks which will still be 5-6 months before the end of his rotation.