pregnancy and freediving

[zebrafishle]

does someone knows something about freediving and pregnancy? of course i know that a max dive or max stativ isn´t to good. what is allowed and what should i avoid?

[SEDATE]

my idea you child can be a champion next
as far as i know your babe already living in sea water, too .
and babe is already consist of %90 water and water against water will supply no pressure
this is my idea..just to read ..

[zebrafishle]

thanks for your poetically answer, mayby the pressure isn`t the problem, but the loss of oxygen?

[SEDATE]

Yes O2 is very important for your babe and you .. i wish i would have helped you . but remember that sytem in you not working one person..working two person.. my idea it will be harmfull holding your breath but, there is a -but-
it will be helpful soft breath hold ..not sure..

[fleshy]

Heres the deal. You need to talk to your doctor to get the real down low on this. But I do know that the womans record for yellowfin tuna was speared by a pregnant woman. Good luck, and dont push yourself too hard.

[trux]

Common doctor will know very little about physiological changes during freediving, so am not sure if it makes any sense asking one. Perhaps consulting a freediving specialist, or posting the question at the World Freediving Medical Association would be better.

If you google up the topic, you find plenty links about sleep apnea during pregnancy: Google It is hard to tell whether it is applicable to freediving apnea too, because the physiological reactions are not completely identical in both cases.

You can also google diving and pregnancy - one of important risks is the decompression - the fetus appears to be much more sensitive for possible harm. Although DCS is of a lesser risk for common freediving (except of deep diving, or repetitive diving with short surface intervals), it may be still harmful for the fetus.

EDIT: also strong diaphragmatic contractions during apnea may possibly pose an additional risk for the fetus

Another good topic to research is pregnancy at ama divers. I found that they allegedly worked year-round and often through pregnancy. It is interesting to know, but it does not mean that the diving did not cause any harm.

[fcallagy]

I agree with what Trux said above,AFAIK there is little or no solid information on this subject in relation to freediving or scuba as any tests would be unethical. Ama divers aside as they may have physiological adaptations from generations before them and what works for them may not work for others. If in doubt stay out my 2 cent in any case. I don't think any doctor would give any advise other than don't do it.
I am male so the above is very easy for me to say but I am sure there are other freediving mothers out there that could advise.
Congratulations in any case

[salibandy]

I believe MT Solomons passed 50m when she was six weeks pregnant.

[zebrafishle]

thanks folks for your posts,
i think i will do little dives without diaphragma contractions. not for taining, but for not forgetting the amazing feeling of freediving

[rbsub]

There will be something like a natural protection for your child: I guess in a couple of weeks your wetsuit will not fit anymore .

Don't risk anything and have fun during your pregnancy.

Hope to see you soon .

[feign]

Hi guys,

I think you need to very cautious about this. Diving while early in first trimester such as the example of MT Solomon is very different from later in pregnancy. There are hormonal changes in the first weeks of pregnancy, but no great changes in the physiology of the cardiovascular system. The cardiovascular changes as the pregnancy progresses are what is concerning for adding freediving to the equation. There is a lot of information about freediving physiology and dramatic swings in various central basic life regulating mechanisms including heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, gas exchange, lung volume, peripheral vasoconstriction etc. Here is a quick list of changes in physiology that are associated with pregnancy that may conflict or impact freediving.


Physiologic changes in pregnancy


Cardiovascular and hematologic:

- Increased heart rate
- Increased cardiac output
- Increased blood volume
- increased blood pressure due to increased peripheral vascular resistance
- Potentially altered venous return to the heart - due to compression of the enlarging uterus on the inferior vena cava and pelvic veins (this is why pregnant women get hemorrhoids and leg edema more commonly from increased venous pressures)
- Hypercoagulable state - increased risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism


Respiratory:

- Increased oxygen requirement
- Elevated diaphragm from compression of the uterus and abdominal contents
- Increased functional residual capacity of the lungs
- Increased minute ventilation
- Increased C02 sensitivity due to progesterone


Gastrointestinal:

- Increased gastroesophageal reflux due to intra-abdominal pressure and effects of progesterone
- Delayed gastric emptying after meals and slowed gut motility from progesterone


Endocrine:

- Increased basal metabolic rate with thyroid gland enlargement and increased thyroxine hormone production
- Adrenal gland produces more cortisol throughout pregnancy


Likely very little research in the area of pregnancy and freediving has been done, but I think manipulating an already compensating cardiovascular system in a pregnant female (particularly as the pregnancy progresses) could potentially have detrimental consequences for the baby or mother.

lee

[apneaboy]

does someone knows something about freediving and pregnancy

I might be a bit late but are you already pregnant or did i misunderstand the question?

But in all honesty whatever you hear from this forum, just speak to a Doctor and get an expert opinion, there may be some people got away with it but make your own mind up. Keep safe xx.

Don't do anything you would regret.

Good luck hope it goes well

[zebrafishle]

you didn`t misunderstand.i am pregnant and just on the beginning (7th week).
thanks a lot for your good wishes!

[island_sands]

Hi Zebrafishle

Congrats on your pregnancy!

MT Solomons apparently did 50 metre dives when she was 6 months pregnant and she has a healthy boy.

My OW Scuba instructor taught courses and dived until 10 metres until she was 6 months pregnant. The only reason she stopped was that it got too uncomfortable wearing the kit. She also had a very healthy boy.

There are lots of advisories concerning pregnancy and diving, I for one, if I was ever lucky to get pregnant would not stop diving, I would just dive conservatively and keep healthy. Good luck

[zebrafishle]

after reading the post from feign, i am even not happy to be pregnant ;-)
it sounds fantastic what will happen to me and body ;-)