The pregnant wilderness traveler.
BACKGROUND
Travel during pregnancy, especially, when it involves potentially hazardous activities in remote areas, often raises serious concerns regarding the health and safety risks involved.


METHODS
The authors have researched the available medical literature to identify these risks and present the current recommendations for their prevention and treatment.


RESULTS
Topics addressed include some political and social issues, insurance, basic comfort measures, complications of pregnancy, infectious diseases, environmental exposures, and trauma. Preventive measures include pre-travel evaluation and teaching, possible modifications of the itinerary, vaccinations and medications. Also briefly discussed are the handling of obstetrical emergencies in the field and medical evacuation of the pregnant patient.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors conclude that many trips of this nature can be made relatively safe for the pregnant traveler, but she may need to accept some precautions and modifications of the itinerary that might not otherwise be necessary.
Carroll
I Dale
ID
The Pregnant Traveler, 4475 Wilson Ave., SW, Suite 8, Grandville, MI 49418, USA.
Van Gompel
Alfons
A