Programs and pregnancy: a survey of policies

If a woman becomes pregnant while on flight status, a potential conflict exists between the needs and desires of the program and those of the flight crew member. Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) member programs were surveyed to determine the extent of pregnancy policy standards within the air medical profession. A survey was mailed to 150 AAMS program directors in the fall of 1988. The survey was followed with a second mailing and a telephone follow-up for clarification. Replies were received from 110 program directors. Fifty-five percent of those responding noted they had a policy on flight crew member (FCM) pregnancy. Thirty percent noted a date prior to term that the pregnant FCM (PFCM) would be removed from flight status. Seventy percent of the programs noted that they had not previously had a PFCM. Over half of the programs allowed PFCMs to fly until the third trimester, with just under a quarter allowing flights until 38 weeks or greater. There are few articles specifically referring to air medical FCM pregnancy, and policies regarding FCM pregnancy differ widely among the AAMS member programs.