pregnancy

A Perth pregnant woman due to be deported is convinced the flight will kill her and baby.

A pregnant woman facing deportation fears for her life and that of her unborn child if she is forced to board a long-haul flight home to the US.

Perth woman Eleanor Mapp has had four high-risk pregnancies in the past. One of her children, Mia, died after being born prematurely, Seven News reports. She also lost twins during another pregnancy.

Yet, the 30-year-old may be forced to board a plane back to the US – which would include at least a 10-hour leg depending on what city she leaves from.

Eleanor fears for her life if she's forced to fly. (Image via Seven News.)

Mapp's bridging visa expires today, and she says the Department of Immigration wants to send her back to the US as soon as possible.

The prospect of being in the air for so long terrifies her.

"I’m scared, I’m fearing for my life," she told Seven News.

"If I get sent back home, my unborn child as well as I, will die."

Mapp's doctor, Alida Lancee has told immigration that "without proper high level obstetric care, Eleanor and her baby are at high risk of dying and it is too risky to send her back to the USA until her baby is born".

Eleanor with her daughter Mia. (Image via Seven News.)

Adding to her distress is the prospect of being homeless if she returns to the US.

"I have nowhere to go," she said. "I’ll be out on the street. No money, no healthcare, nowhere to stay."

A spokeswoman for the Department of Immigration and Border Protection told News.com.au the department had been working to resolve her visa status for 12 months, adding she had no active visa application lodged with them.

They said anyone in this position who is medically fit to travel is expected to leave. That may be the sticking point because Mapp - and her doctor - argue she isn't.