U.S. Air Force aeromedical evacuation of obstetric patients in Europe

U.S. Air Force (USAF) regulations do not recommend the routine movement of obstetrical patients greater than 34 weeks gestation. However, U.S. Department of Defense and embassy physicians throughout Europe continually request aeromedical movement of obstetrical patients greater than 34 weeks gestation. Therefore, a year-long prospective review of obstetric patient movement within the military aeromedical system in Europe was undertaken to evaluate the need for and safety of transporting pregnant women over 34 weeks gestation. Civilian studies demonstrate the safety of transporting these patients, but these studies generally address short-range transport by helicopter. By contrast, the USAF operates a high-volume, long-range aeromedical evacuation system with large fixed-wing aircraft. Of the 13,095 patients reported for military aeromedical movement within the study time frame, 329 patients were uneventfully airlifted for obstetrical reasons. This study suggests that long distance movement by fixed-wing aircraft of obstetric patients at any gestational age can be done safely in the USAF military aeromedical system.