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pregnancy & diving
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Plenty of good posts here. Consider "normal" dives: Doppler ultrasound studies show that many divers get "microbubbles" in the right heart chambers, without definite clinical effects, possibly because most of these bubbles are filtered out in the pulmonary capillaries, and aren't sent through our arteries to the brain, etc. This is why there's at least a theoretic concern about PFO or other right-to-left shunts.
Fetal circulation bypasses the pulmonary circuit (the lungs aren't providing oxygen) so there is a 100% right-to-left shunt, so any venous microbubbles would go throughout the arterial circulation. Why take the risk?
Fetal circulation bypasses the pulmonary circuit (the lungs aren't providing oxygen) so there is a 100% right-to-left shunt, so any venous microbubbles would go throughout the arterial circulation. Why take the risk?
cobaltbabe
Diva of the Deep
In the early stages the zygot is just cells, but it is a child never the less. If you know your pregnant and don't want to risk it, don't do it. I have been pregnant alot, genetics, and have two children right now. I fought for both those children and would never risk their safety for a sport. Would you bungie jump while carrying your child?
I quit diving while pregnant, but did not quit snorkeling. I have a healthy active kid now. I can't imagine the guilt I would have if I had done something while pregnant that would cause a deformaty (sp) in my kid.
For the record, the snorkeling was on the surface, and any free diving was less than 10ft.
If you are pregnant, take the time to enjoy the miracle of life!
For the record, the snorkeling was on the surface, and any free diving was less than 10ft.
If you are pregnant, take the time to enjoy the miracle of life!
Phish-phood
Guest
The long and short of it is that we do not know what effects diving has on a developing foetus.
Diving is not recommended and for a number of very good reasons
1) Pressure - have no idea what it does to the developing foetus
2) Breathing compressed air, nitrox, trimix, whatever you breathe - no idea how it affects the foetus.
3) DCI - no idea how it affects the foetus
4) Nitrogen Narcosis - no idea how it affects the child
5) You're unfortunate enough to get bad air on a fill - how will this affect the foetus
I could go on and on about all the possibilites and yes you could come back and say well you've got all these other things like you could get this or you that food could cause problems and you would be right. There are any number of things that could affect the developing foetus that we both know about and don't know about.
The point is, it is up to each individual to make an informed choice based on the facts and the facts here are we don't know! Personally I look at it from the point of view that we know that diving presents some very serious risks for the person undertaking it and so those risks at least must be to some degree similar for an unborn child. On top of that there have been some good studies into the effects of diving on childrens physiology, you wouldn't take a five year old diving with you because of the risks, why should it be different for your unborn child. Leave that choice to them for when they are old enough to dive.
Diving is not recommended and for a number of very good reasons
1) Pressure - have no idea what it does to the developing foetus
2) Breathing compressed air, nitrox, trimix, whatever you breathe - no idea how it affects the foetus.
3) DCI - no idea how it affects the foetus
4) Nitrogen Narcosis - no idea how it affects the child
5) You're unfortunate enough to get bad air on a fill - how will this affect the foetus
I could go on and on about all the possibilites and yes you could come back and say well you've got all these other things like you could get this or you that food could cause problems and you would be right. There are any number of things that could affect the developing foetus that we both know about and don't know about.
The point is, it is up to each individual to make an informed choice based on the facts and the facts here are we don't know! Personally I look at it from the point of view that we know that diving presents some very serious risks for the person undertaking it and so those risks at least must be to some degree similar for an unborn child. On top of that there have been some good studies into the effects of diving on childrens physiology, you wouldn't take a five year old diving with you because of the risks, why should it be different for your unborn child. Leave that choice to them for when they are old enough to dive.
kjunheart
Contributor
Oravake, as you can see from the responses, there are so many opinions on the subject and very few hard facts.
My personal choice is to not dive. I am in the same boat as scubababe and KC_scubabunny and don't think it is worth the risk. I am going into my 17th week and while I miss diving - tremendously - I can't bring myself to take the chance.
I will tell you that I dove "one last weekend" while I waited for the results of my blood test. If I were to make the choice again, I would not have gone diving ... for a couple of reasons. One reason was my energy level. At the time I didn't realize why I consumed so much air or why I was so exhausted after the first dive, but I know now. Forget about having the energy to carry my gear & dive in my second & third month! A second reason is even now after passing the milestone of my first trimester, each appointment I have with the doctor, I pray they will find a heartbeat. I worry that on my ultrasound next week, which is the diagnostic one where they check for abnormalities, whether or not they will find something wrong. From what I have read and learned from other mothers, all of these worries are perfectly normal...why add additional reasons to be concerned?
But I have to say something to those people who in these pregnancy threads keep bringing up how Dr. Eugene Clark dove until her 7th month...blah blah blah. That, to me, is like saying that my mother drank and smoked throughout her entire pregnancy and look at me now...I am fine. (Yeah that is a matter of opinion too LOL) OB doctors specifically tell you that if you are going to excercise, first no lifting of heavy objects (sorry but tanks are heavy) and second, don't start an excercise program if you weren't doing it on a regular basis prior to getting pregnant (i.e, if you weren't a runner before, don't start now). IMO Dr. Clark should be the exception to the rule. I don't know what kind of diving she did while she was pregnant - whether it was shallow or deep, air or Nitrox, etc., but I am assuming diving was something she did regularly prior to getting pregnant. She wasn't someone who was a recreational diver and only dove here and there. Her body was more acclimated to diving than most women and therefore, it just seems to be illogical to compare the physical experiences of someone like Dr. Clark to your average rec diver. But that is just my opinion.
In the end, it is a personal choice. Whatever you choose, I wish you a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby!
My personal choice is to not dive. I am in the same boat as scubababe and KC_scubabunny and don't think it is worth the risk. I am going into my 17th week and while I miss diving - tremendously - I can't bring myself to take the chance.
I will tell you that I dove "one last weekend" while I waited for the results of my blood test. If I were to make the choice again, I would not have gone diving ... for a couple of reasons. One reason was my energy level. At the time I didn't realize why I consumed so much air or why I was so exhausted after the first dive, but I know now. Forget about having the energy to carry my gear & dive in my second & third month! A second reason is even now after passing the milestone of my first trimester, each appointment I have with the doctor, I pray they will find a heartbeat. I worry that on my ultrasound next week, which is the diagnostic one where they check for abnormalities, whether or not they will find something wrong. From what I have read and learned from other mothers, all of these worries are perfectly normal...why add additional reasons to be concerned?
But I have to say something to those people who in these pregnancy threads keep bringing up how Dr. Eugene Clark dove until her 7th month...blah blah blah. That, to me, is like saying that my mother drank and smoked throughout her entire pregnancy and look at me now...I am fine. (Yeah that is a matter of opinion too LOL) OB doctors specifically tell you that if you are going to excercise, first no lifting of heavy objects (sorry but tanks are heavy) and second, don't start an excercise program if you weren't doing it on a regular basis prior to getting pregnant (i.e, if you weren't a runner before, don't start now). IMO Dr. Clark should be the exception to the rule. I don't know what kind of diving she did while she was pregnant - whether it was shallow or deep, air or Nitrox, etc., but I am assuming diving was something she did regularly prior to getting pregnant. She wasn't someone who was a recreational diver and only dove here and there. Her body was more acclimated to diving than most women and therefore, it just seems to be illogical to compare the physical experiences of someone like Dr. Clark to your average rec diver. But that is just my opinion.
In the end, it is a personal choice. Whatever you choose, I wish you a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby!
andrea31419
Guest
Does anyone have a knowledge of pool diving during pregnancy? Water depth would be no more than 9-10 feet.
A.
A.
Never thought I'd be carousing the "Female" threads, but I just got some news.
Odds are damn good (Home preg test X2) that my wife is pregenant. (Would be our 3rd child......LARGE age gap between this one and the other 2).
I'm standing back and totally dazed......WTF???
Here's the fun part. We're leaving for Coz 1 week tomorrow.
She's going, shes diving, I have been informed. I don't have a problem with it.
Since life is a game of odds, she's got a very good chance that things are gonna be OK.
She's already been diving while (probably) preganant when she didn't know it.
She won't get doctor confirmation until Monday.
Oh yeah, don't tell anyone yet
Just the whole damn wired world, but beyond that, no-one else knows.
She's going and she's diving........abortion isn't an option for religious reasons.
Just had to vent. I found out less than 3 hrs ago.
Don't even talk to her about the entire life change. She's in denial.
Odds are damn good (Home preg test X2) that my wife is pregenant. (Would be our 3rd child......LARGE age gap between this one and the other 2).
I'm standing back and totally dazed......WTF???
Here's the fun part. We're leaving for Coz 1 week tomorrow.
She's going, shes diving, I have been informed. I don't have a problem with it.
Since life is a game of odds, she's got a very good chance that things are gonna be OK.
She's already been diving while (probably) preganant when she didn't know it.
She won't get doctor confirmation until Monday.
Oh yeah, don't tell anyone yet
Just the whole damn wired world, but beyond that, no-one else knows.
She's going and she's diving........abortion isn't an option for religious reasons.
Just had to vent. I found out less than 3 hrs ago.
Don't even talk to her about the entire life change. She's in denial.
scubasean
Contributor
How far apart will this one be from the others?
Hey bud I'm kinda in denial too, so thanks for the congrats and all, but this wasn't planned.......and it's not sitting perfect with me just yet either.
9 stinkin' years between Number 2 child and the "supposed" new one.
Man that's just too far inbetween. We were done and gone......now...........NOT!!!!
We're starting over.
WTF (Did I say that before?)
I've already told her I've 6 months of sex left before I'm officially off it forever..This ain't gonna happen again!
(We will be 37 when "new" person is born)
Don't mean to sound so negative......it's just shock. I've got some pure O2 in a 40cf stage I'm gonna hook us up to soon.
9 stinkin' years between Number 2 child and the "supposed" new one.
Man that's just too far inbetween. We were done and gone......now...........NOT!!!!
We're starting over.
WTF (Did I say that before?)
I've already told her I've 6 months of sex left before I'm officially off it forever..This ain't gonna happen again!
(We will be 37 when "new" person is born)
Don't mean to sound so negative......it's just shock. I've got some pure O2 in a 40cf stage I'm gonna hook us up to soon.
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