PREGNANCY AND DIVING?

[Dr Deco]

Dear Sandra :

Congratulations, mother to be! :sunny:

On some earlier Dr Deco FORUMS there were some discussions of the problems with diving while pregnant. One should check those out.

The research work in this area is limited, but what studies on animal subjects do exist indicate that pregnancy and diving is not a safe combination for the fetus. Ultrasound studies on sheep indicated problems with the fetus. [MR Powell and MT Smith. Fetal gas phase formation following decompression from hyperbaric environments. Undersea Biomed. Res., 12 (1), 59-68 (1985). The best advice is that pregnancy is for a limited duration; after that period, diving can be resumed.

Exercise during pregnancy is good, but diving is a bad exercise.
________________
Dr Deco

 

[sky50960]

This article

 

[Katerina754]

As a Certified Nurse Midwife and a diver, I can understand your enthusiasm and wish there were more studies to represent the risks but there just arent any at this time. I strogly recommend that you NOT dive during a pregnancy. Aside from possible accidents and physical injuries that can occur at ANY DEPTH... we just arent able to predict what effects the increased pressure and asorbtion of nitrogen can do to a developing fetus. Remember that your baby is most suseptible in your first 12 weeks (1st trimester) of development!!! Dont take the risks!!! SIt this one out, take a refresher course post partum and enjoy the sport without the added worry!!

 

[anemone]

Diving is a lifetime sport. It will still be there for you after you deliver a healthy baby!

whoops...i didnt realize this thread has been on the forum for 9 years! and I was replying now.. what a

 

[PattiK]

This is a very controversial topic and one well worth addressing since 40 weeks of pregnancy not only has a effect on the diver but also on the dive buddy. While there is limited research out on the effects of diving while pregnant, there also is not research saying that you should not do it. Sure we should all err on the side of caution but then you'd have to say pregnant women shouldn't ride a bike, drive a car, run marathons, lift heavy objects, etc. Just fifteen years ago women were told not to exercise or strength train because it could negatively effect the fetus. Now do to research and women not adhering to what was once the standard, we know that you can exercise but like everything else, there are parameters.

Studies done on sheep, dogs, and rats have shown that nitrogen does can cross through the placenta and into the tissues of the fetus. However, each species showed different results due to the placement of the placenta, number of sacs, etc. Yes, some showed damage to the fetus while others were perfectly fine. These animals were tested well beyond the typical limitations of what the recreational diver would go to. For example, 160 ft. for over an hour (simulation of course). There is no research that supports being pregnant increases your chances of developing DCI. One of the main concerns is that the nitrogen built up while diving will pass along to the fetus and but not be "breathed" off during off gas time.

While there are no studies with humans have been published since 1989 (no birth defects or abnormalities reported), surveys have been completed by women who dove while pregnant, some even into the third trimester. Survey results revealed that up to 5% gave birth to babies with birth defects or who later developed complications. The average rate of babies born with birth defects to women who do not dive is also 5%. So while the general consensus is to hang up the gear for 40 weeks, is it really necessary? I know plenty of women who dove while pregnant (not to mention the AMA divers in Japan) and gave birth to perfectly healthy babies.

Some things to consider if you do choose to dive while pregnant: make sure your gear still fits right, excess interstitial fluid may effect you ability to clear your ears, buoyancy may be off so be sure to adjust your weight properly, don't do any crazy technical diving you haven't done before, STAY WITHIN THE LIMITS, and allow some extra off gas time.

When doing your research, look for published, peer reviewed articles rather than just googling. The average person in general thinks diving itself is a VERY dangerous sport and would never do it, but we divers know the inherent risks, we educate ourselves, we have our gear serviced, and we don't do anything stupid (most of us!).

 

[RJP]

Just fifteen years ago women were told...

Interestingly... that's about how old the original post is.

---------- Post added May 9th, 2015 at 04:17 PM ----------

While there is limited research out on the effects of diving while pregnant, there also is not research saying that you should not do it.

As the researcher's saying goes "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence."

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

Patti,

I'm sure you found the below reference on PubMed or elsewhere:

Scuba diving and pregnancy: can we determine safe limits? - PubMed - NCBI
I'll just quote the last part of the abstract here for the record.

"These data indicate women are increasingly observing the diving industry recommendation and refraining from diving while pregnant. Field studies are not likely to be useful, or the way forward, for future diving and pregnancy research. Differences in placental circulation between humans and other animals limit the applicability of animal research for pregnancy and diving studies. It is unlikely that the effect of scuba diving on the unborn human fetus will be established."

You may also have found this one (old but worth looking at).

Fetal development: effects of stimulated diving and hyperbaric oxygen treatment. - PubMed - NCBI

In short, fetuses of bent hamsters tend to get DCS.

You may also have found this one, from Dr. Enrico Camporesi, one of the foremost researchers in the field.

Diving and pregnancy. - PubMed - NCBI

While it's true that there is a dearth of research on the effects of diving on a developing fetus, the recommendations of the overwhelming majority of diving medical professionals has not changed; that is, refrain from diving while pregnant. You'll get over 40 weeks of being dry and so will your dive buddy. You won't get over caring for a disabled child nor will you ever stop questioning yourself.

Some things to consider if you do choose to dive while pregnant: make sure your gear still fits right, excess interstitial fluid may effect you ability to clear your ears, buoyancy may be off so be sure to adjust your weight properly, don't do any crazy technical diving you haven't done before, STAY WITHIN THE LIMITS, and allow some extra off gas time.

I'm sorry Patti, this is catastrophically under-informed advice and following it could lead to a greatly increased risk of fetal damage.

When doing your research, look for published, peer reviewed articles rather than just googling.

I would add: seek the counsel of trained, experienced diving medical professionals and treat posts like the one above with considerable skepticism.

 

[RJP]

"this is catastrophically under-informed advice"

I'm tucking that little gem away for future use!

 

[DocVikingo]

Patti, I'm sure you found the below reference on PubMed or elsewhere: Scuba diving and pregnancy: can we determine safe limits? - PubMed - NCBI...

One would hope so as it's been posted repeatedly on this board, e.g. --> http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/search.php?searchid=28706309

There's also a sticky (#1) in the Women's Perspective forum that covers the topic pretty well.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[Hickdive]

Sandra's child should be in junior high by now. Maybe we could ask them if they've had any problems as a result of their mother diving.