Air Transport of Passengers of Advanced Gestational Age

John C. Newlands M.B.B.S.(Hon), D.Av.Med., and Jillian R. Barclay B.Ed., M.Ed.
Aviat Space Environ Med 2000; 71:839-42

Abstract

Many airlines and defense forces have policies relating to the routine air transport of pregnant females in advanced stages of gestation. These vary, but on average flying is discouraged once gestational age reaches 32 to 38 wk. These recommendations probably evolved out of historical conservatism and anecdotal inflight events. Review of the literature and the basic physiology involved suggests that air transport, both rotary wing and fixed wing, does not predispose to either an increase in or acceleration of obstetric events. In fact, the literature strongly suggests that air transport is frequently extremely valuable in obstetric emergencies, and has no impact in advanced uncomplicated pregnancy. It is concluded that obstetric cases can be safely transported at any gestational age.

Keywords: advanced gestation, air transport.

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Table of Contents for Volume 71, Number 8 of the ASME journal.