Characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of patients requiring aeromedical retrieval for pregnancy, compared to non-retrieved metropolitan cohorts.

BACKGROUND: Limited access to obstetrics and gynaecology (OG 40.7%). Most patients were retrieved from rural and remote areas (n = 2224; 93.0%). Retrieved patients were significantly younger (28.0 vs 30.0 years, 95% CI 27.7-28.3), more likely to be overweight or obese (52.2% vs 45.1%, 95% CI 47.5-56.9) and to have smoked during their pregnancy (14.0% vs 9.9%, 95% CI 12.5-15.5) compared to Australian pregnant women overall. Over one-third of transferred women gave birth by Caesarean section (n = 812; 37.4%); the median gestational age at birth was 33.0 (95% CI 32.7-33.3) weeks. Early gestation is associated with low birth weights (median = 2579.5 g; 95% CI 2536.1-2622.9), neonatal resuscitation (35.4%, 95% CI 33.5-37.3), and special care nursery admission (41.2%, 95% CI 39.3-43.2). There were 42 (1.7%, 95% CI 1.2-2.2) stillbirths, which was significantly higher than seen Australia-wide (n = 6441; 0.7%). CONCLUSION: This study found that pregnant women retrieved by the Royal Flying Doctor Service were younger, with higher rates of obesity and smoking.