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You mean, are combat trained female pilots who get pregnant, somehow now intelligent enough, mature enough, or responsible enough, to determine whether they’re flight worthy or not during their pregnancy, a decision decided in conjunction with their doctor, who must also attest to said pregnant woman’s ability to fly, and to the risks associated with being pregnant during flight? Did these women lose their judgement as well, as it relates to their unborn child?Did I miss a severe IQ drop among female pilots, or among women in general, after they become pregnant?As to whether it’s a good idea, why not read what the US Navy has to say on this issue, in the U. S. Navy Aeromedical Reference and Waiver Guide, March 30, 2021 (below), or if you decide not to read through the 429 pages, I have also added the section relating to pregnancy, and highlighted a paragraph regarding 2nd trimester pregnancy, located in the later part, under discussion.https://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmotc/nami/arwg/Documents/WaiverGuide/Complete_Waiver_Guide.pdf11.6 PREGNANCYLast Revised: July 18 Last Reviewed: July 18AEROMEDICAL CONCERNS: Pregnancy is a normal female condition associated with various dynamic physiological changes capable of modifying an aviator’s expected tolerance to the aviation environment. Examples of aeromedically relevant changes include hypotension, physiologic anemia (dilutional), hypercoagulability, and alterations in pulmonary function, glucose metabolism, and visual acuity.Pregnancy is also associated with certain pregnancy-specific disorders that may pose additional risk in the aviation environment. Examples of these disorders include ectopic pregnancy, hypertension-seizure, bleeding, miscarriage and even morning sickness (hyperemesis). Pregnancy can also increase the risk of other non-pregnancy specific conditions that could affect the member’s flight safety. Pregnancy increases the risk of blood clots and pulmonary emboli. Underlying clotting disorders increase this risk. Screening for preexisting clotting disorders should be considered and may be offered to pregnant aviators.Although incompletely researched, flying during pregnancy may place the fetus at risk. The physiologic stresses of aviation duty, in addition to noise, vibration, Gz forces, pressure changes, and hypoxia all introduce potential risk to the mother and fetus. See Request to Continue Flying While Pregnant for common physiologic changes in pregnancy and potential hazards to the pregnant aviator.WAIVER: Pregnancy is considered disqualifying (CD) for all aviation duties except for Air Traffic Controllers and UAS/UAV personnel. Pregnancy is not considered disqualifying (NCD) for Air Traffic Controllers and UAS/UAV personnel, provided the pregnancy remains uncomplicated. Designated aviators may request a waiver to continue flying after a complete obstetrical evaluation for flying from 12 weeks to 28 weeks gestation, as Class I-Service Group 3, Class II, or Class III. Waivers are considered for singleton pregnancies. No waivers are considered for candidates or student aviators in training. Participation in aviation physiology, aviation water survival, or other water survival programs is not authorized at any time during pregnancy. Aviation physiology qualifications and anticipated expiration dates must be considered prior to waiver request. Specific guidance on pregnancy in flight personnel is contained in the OPNAVINST 3710.7 and OPNAVINST 6000.1 series, and includes the following conditions:1. A waiver of physical standards may be granted for pregnant designated aviators to Service Group 3 only, and will not include shipboard operations.2. A waiver will only permit flight in Transport/Maritime/Helicopter aircraft with a cabin altitude of 10,000 feet or less.3. Flying in solo or ejection seat aircraft will not be considered for waiver.4. The member may request an authorization for Pilot-in-Command, as described inOPNAVINST 3710.7 series. In these circumstances, a completed Pregnancy AMS (LBFS) with ultrasound, laboratory, and full obstetric evaluation will be accepted in lieu of a typed SF 88.Upon confirmation of her pregnancy, an aviator shall immediately notify her flight surgeon, and obtain a referral for initial obstetric evaluation. To continue flying during pregnancy, an aviator must request a pregnancy-specific waiver by signing and submitting the Request to Continue Flying while Pregnant form. The flight surgeon shall recommend the member’s Commanding Officer convene a Local Board of Flight Surgeons (LBFS), comprised of the member’s flight surgeon, a second flight surgeon, and the member’s obstetrical care provider. A Pregnancy Summary shall be completed for all pregnant flight personnel and submitted to NAMI Code 53HN. All abnormalities must be addressed on the Summary by the obstetrical care provider and the LBFS. The unit flight surgeon shall notify the Commanding Officer of the LBFS’s recommendation, in addition to the member’s condition and intentions. If the pregnancy is uncomplicated (as defined below), the LBFS recommends a waiver, the Commanding Officer is in concurrence, and there are no other medical conditions requiring a waiver, a 90-day aeromedical clearance notice may be issued to the aviator. The flight surgeon shall submit the completed Pregnancy Summary (LBFS), with all documentation, to NAMI Code 53HN for final review and submission to BUPERS/CMC via AERO.For those aviators who do not desire to continue flying while pregnant or a waiver is not recommended, the aeromedical summary may be signed solely by the member’s flight surgeon, and submitted to NAMI Code 53HN as a grounding physical.Pregnancy, Uncomplicated: For aeromedical purposes, pregnancies are considered uncomplicated when a formal obstetrical evaluation has determined it to be an uncomplicated (low risk), single gestation, and the member has no other medical condition requiring a waiver. The minimum determinants for an uncomplicated pregnancy require consultation with an obstetrical care provider, ultrasound confirmation of a singleton intrauterine pregnancy with estimated gestational age, routine obstetric laboratory studies, and a visual acuity examination documenting 20/20 vision. Complications, or new disqualifying conditions which arise in a pregnancy after initial granting of the waiver, shall terminate the waiver, and NAMI Code 53HN will be notified immediately.Pregnancy, Uncomplicated; with Other Medical Conditions/Waivers:Pregnancies are considered uncomplicated, with other medical conditions/waivers for aeromedical purposes when the formal obstetrical evaluation is found to be uncomplicated, but the member has other medical condition(s) that require a waiver. Pregnancy can affect or be affected by other medical conditions and/or medicine regimens. Even if these conditions were previously waived and stable pre-pregnancy, they must be reevaluated. In general, these cases must be deferred to NAMI for final disposition on the pregnancy and other conditions, before an upchit can be issued. In some instances, the “other condition(s)” may be unaffected by and inconsequential to the uncomplicated pregnancy. In these cases, a 90-day upchit may be issued only after discussion with and approval from NAMI. The other medical condition(s) and the current status of each must be described in the aeromedical summary. The minimum determinants for an uncomplicated pregnancy are described under pregnancy, uncomplicated. Complications or new disqualifying conditions which arise in a pregnancy after initial granting of the waiver shall terminate the waiver, and NAMI Code 53HN will be notified immediately.Pregnancy, Complicated: For aeromedical purposes, pregnancies are considered complicated if the formal obstetrical evaluation finds the pregnancy complicated, any abnormal pregnancy-specific condition exists at any time in the pregnancy, or the member has another medical condition(s) shown to be affected by, or influencing the pregnancy. In these cases, an aeromedical clearance notice shall NOT be given until reviewed by NAMI Code 53HN, and forwarded to the appropriate waiver authority for final disposition. For circumstances involving a complicated pregnancy, a completed Pregnancy Summary, obstetrical notes, and documentation regarding all other non-pregnancy condition(s), medications, and waivers must be submitted to NAMI Code 53HN.Air Traffic Controllers: An uncomplicated pregnancy is not considered disqualifying (NCD) for Air Traffic Controllers. A Pregnancy Summary is submitted to NAMI for information only. They may continue to perform their duties, until the medical officer, the member, or the command determines the member can no longer perform her duties as an ATC. At the time of medical grounding from controlling duties, a Pregnancy Summary shall be submitted to NAMI Code 53HN as a grounding physical or to request a waiver with restrictions. Complicated pregnancies are considered disqualifying (CD) for Air Traffic Controllers. These members shall be grounded and processed as a complicated pregnancy with a Pregnancy Summary as described above.Pilot in Command: According to OPNAVINST 3710.7 series, waivers to Class I, Service Group 3, automatically include Pilot In Command (PIC) authority, unless the PIC authority is specifically restricted. In addition, student aviators may not assume flight controls/ fly with a Service Group 3 Pilot. The appropriate box in the Pregnancy Summary may be checked if there are no specific restriction recommendations. The reason for a PIC restriction recommendation should be listed on the AMS.INFORMATION REQUIRED (templates on ARWG front page):1. Request to Continue Flying while Pregnant – signature required.2. Obstetric Evaluation to include an Obstetric Ultrasound, Estimated Date of Confinement(EDC), and baseline labs.3. Pregnancy Summary (LBFS) with any abnormalities evaluated by the obstetrical careprovider and explained in the Flight Surgeon comments section.4. Physical exam with associated electronic AMS created and submitted in AEROMonitoring by Flight Surgeon:1. The pregnant aviator shall routinely meet with her flight surgeon every two weeks.2. The member will be evaluated to confirm she:a. Desires to continue flying while pregnantb. Is receiving routine obstetrical carec. Has not developed any condition which defines a complicated pregnancyd. Has not developed any condition which impairs her safety in flight or emergency egresse. Maintains 20/20 vision (or corrects to 20/20)3. The member shall be educated to return to her flight surgeon should any concerning symptoms develop between visits.4. Any time in the continuum of care these conditions are not met, the pregnancy waiver shall be terminated and NAMI Code 53 HN notified immediately.Postpartum Return to Flight Status (submit completed template on ARWG front page):1. In accordance with OPNAVINST 6000.1 series, convalescent leave, following any uncomplicated delivery or cesarean section, will normally be for 42 days after discharge. For aviation purposes, this will allow adequate time for recovery and return to pre- pregnancy physiologic baseline. This form is also used for miscarriage and termination. A shorter grounding period may be considered for a first trimester pregnancy loss with a normal obstetrical exam, aeromedical exam and appropriate grieving period.2. Return to flight status may be requested after convalescent leave. The aviator must meet physical standards before returning to flight duty. The flight surgeon shall submit to NAMI Code 53HN:a. Completion of Pregnancy Summary to NAMI(1) Information of aeromedical significance regarding the pregnancy, delivery, post- partum course or complications.(2) Information of aeromedical significance regarding the health of the child and mother.b. Postpartum obstetrical examc. Long Form Flight Physical Complete to include:(1) Hematocrit (2) Visual acuityd. Electronic AMS created and submitted in AERODISCUSSION:The reasons for flight restrictions vary with each stage of pregnancy. As in aviation, one can employ a risk management model to determine when a pregnant aviator can safely fly. In this case, both the probability and severity of adverse outcomes are greatest in the first and third trimester, effectively eliminating these times for waiver consideration. In the first trimester, ectopic pregnancies, bleeding and miscarriages are common, and often present unexpectedly. These complications are difficult to predict, and frequently present with life-threatening or incapacitating emergencies. Also in the first trimester, potential teratogenic exposures, vibration, hypoxia, Gz forces and other stresses of the aviation environment can have undesirable effects on the developing fetus. The uncertainties of the first trimester, combined with the severity of pregnancy-specific complications, present unacceptable risks to the pregnant aviator, thus limiting the consideration for waivers at this time.In the second trimester, a normal intrauterine pregnancy can be confirmed with ultrasound, therefore mitigating some of the risk uncertainty present in the first trimester. For this reason, the aviator with an uncomplicated pregnancy can more safely fly at this time, assuming careful consideration is given to limit her exposure to other potentially harmful effects of the flight environment, such as hypoxia or excessive Gz exposure.In the third trimester, pre-term labor, rupture of the membranes and bleeding can occur in an unpredictable fashion, creating an emergent risk to the mother, fetus, and aircrew. These events introduce unacceptable risks to the safety of flight and prohibit the issuance of waivers in the third trimester.Pre-existent medical conditions represent an additional risk consideration in the pregnant aviator. Pre-gravid, stable medical issues may become exacerbated during pregnancy, or impart an adverse effect on the pregnancy. Additionally, chronic medication regimens are frequently discontinued or changed during pregnancy. For these reasons, each aviator with a previous medical waiver, including medication waivers, must be evaluated in the context of her pregnancy, prior to issuance of a pregnancy waiver. In these circumstances, NAMI Code 53HN must be consulted prior to determination of waiver recommendation or LBFS upchit.Prior to waiver recommendation, and during waiver continuance, careful consideration must be given to the effects of pregnancy on the aviator, including how she is coping with the physiologic, emotional, and professional stresses of pregnancy. Regular follow- up is required to confirm her desire to continue flying during pregnancy, and the absence of any condition(s) which may adversely impact her safety in flight.ICD-9 Codes:V22 Pregnancy, Uncomplicated630-650 Pregnancy, ComplicatedYou do realize you’re “Is this a good idea”, only applied to 117 female pilots in the US Navy during 2018, and that seeing a pregnant pilot in the cockpit is a rare event. Statistically speaking it falls somewhere between seeing a unicorn and winning the lottery.You might find the following interesting.Pregnant PilotsBreastfeeding at 40,000 feet; 8 things I learned along the way.https://hidden-barriers.org/2020/03/30/pregnant-pilots/