Years ago, I posted photos and videos of my Freediving activity at 26 weeks of pregnancy. So, I got messages about it and asked me about my experience. My purpose for that activity was to take a pregnancy photo underwater with the help of a friend who is a scuba diver and freediver. Also, she was my willing underwater photographer.
Is it safe to Freedive while Pregnant?
Freediving while pregnant is generally not recommended due to potential risks to both the mother and the fetus. Here are the primary concerns:
- Oxygen Deprivation (Hypoxia): Freediving involves holding your breath for extended periods, which can lead to reduced oxygen levels. This hypoxia can be harmful to the fetus, which relies on a constant supply of oxygen for proper development.
- Pressure Changes: As you dive deeper, the pressure increases, affecting both the mother’s and the baby’s bodies. The effects of these pressure changes on a developing fetus are not well understood, but they could potentially be harmful.
- Physical Strain: Freediving can be physically demanding, and pregnancy already places significant stress on the body. The combination of the two could increase the risk of complications such as fainting or other physical injuries.
- Lack of Research: There is limited research on the effects of freediving during pregnancy, making it difficult to understand the potential risks involved fully.
If you are pregnant and considering freediving, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional. They can provide personalized advice based on your health and the specifics of your pregnancy. Generally, it’s safer to opt for less strenuous and lower-risk activities during this time.
Freediving at Early Weeks of Pregnancy – Safety Tips for Freediving while Pregnant
I was in Bali with my then-boyfriend now-husband when we did a lot of freediving activities but along the way, I had some weird feelings about my body. I was bloated. I hated wearing bikinis. I didn’t feel sexy anymore. I just wanted to cover up myself while swimming. I wasn’t feeling my best self. And there was a change in mood or attitude and I hated my boyfriend so much. I was so angry with him that I just wanted to end our relationship.
We learned that we were pregnant in El Nido, Palawan, and went to Puerto Princesa for a check-up. I was 8-weeks pregnant. It answered my question why I was feeling that way. Hormonal changes.
I was a healthy pregnant woman since I was active and did a lot of walking and traveling going to the doctor’s appointment and seeing some of my friends. Since my husband and I were in a long-distance relationship for a few months, I was unaccompanied anywhere I went.
Related Article: Scuba Diving with the Thresher Sharks
Freediving at 26 Weeks of Pregnancy – Safety Tips for Freediving while Pregnant
As mentioned earlier, I did my freediving photo underwater at 26 weeks of pregnancy. But I felt so healthy and confident with my body. I never dived so deep and never held my breath for a long time. Please be mindful of your body. I listened to my body. I held my breath just enough time for my friend could take photos of me but it was more on taking videos. By taking videos, I can easily screenshot and edit the photos the way I want to.
If you do something like this, it is preferable to consult your ob-gyne, especially with all the things you do every day. Do you have a hard time breathing while doing normal activities at home? Do you have any complications while doing something else? If that’s the case, freediving is not for you since it is a strenuous activity.
Make sure you are trained freediver before the pregnancy. Inexperienced freedivers before pregnancy are not suitable to do this.
