Obstetrics and Gynecology Considerations

In-flight obstetric and gynecologic emergencies are an infrequent cause of medical emergencies but are frequent causes of flight diversion. Physiologic changes make flight more dangerous for pregnant women. This chapter discusses specific in-flight obstetric and gynecologic emergencies: vaginal bleeding, labor and delivery, eclampsia, pulmonary embolism, and cardiac arrest. The chapter reviews options and treatment in this unique resource-limited environment.