Baby Diver
Diver|September 2017

Father-to-be HENLEY SPIERS decided that he needed a better understanding of diving and pregnancy.

Henley Spiers
Baby Diver

ON A LIVEABOARD IN THE REDSEA, I found out that Jade and I were expecting our first child. We knew that Jade would have to put scuba-diving on hold for nine months, but as time went on I wanted to better understand the research behind diving and pregnancy.

Unlike many marine species (hello Mr Seahorse), the female does all of the heavy lifting when it comes to human pregnancy, and us males can only do our best to be supportive.

On top of the physical burden, mothers-to-be are advised to give up scuba-diving during the gestation period – like most men I am eternally indebted to Jade for taking on both of these burdens!

The vast majority of divers today are aware that you shouldn’t dive if pregnant, and all the training agencies now list pregnancy as a contraindication to scuba-diving that requires medical consultation.

The risks to a foetus are the same we consider apply to ourselves when diving: decompression illness (DCI) and the effect of high oxygen partial pressure.

What is unclear is a foetus’s susceptibility to these issues.

It’s possible that if excessive bubbling occurred in the mum to-be, some of these bubbles would pass through the placenta into the foetus. Terrifyingly, it’s possible that harmful bubbles could occur in the womb without the mother showing any signs of DCI. We are also unsure how a foetus will react to high doses of oxygen under pressure – either in a hyperbaric chamber or while diving.

Depending on the stage of pregnancy, there are concerns that a diving illness could have severe consequences such as physical abnormalities, brain damage or even death for the foetus.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2017-Ausgabe von Diver.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2017-Ausgabe von Diver.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS DIVERAlle anzeigen
Appointment with Dr Anemone
Diver

Appointment with Dr Anemone

It seems that marine-life could hold the key to improving many aspects of human health. Which is fine as long as the creatures we dive to see don’t have to be sacrificed in the process, says LISA COLLINS. They might not have to be

time-read
3 Minuten  |
April 2017
The Wreck Of The Zenobia: Disneyland For Divers
Diver

The Wreck Of The Zenobia: Disneyland For Divers

The Zenobia is one of those wrecks most divers have heard of, even if they haven’t dived it, but what is that makes some return to Cyprus year after year to revisit the site? DAVID BAKER, Chairman of Richmond Sub Aqua Club, has been asking around

time-read
4 Minuten  |
January 2018
Well And Truly Tested
Diver

Well And Truly Tested

MIKE WARD does the honours as a new Apeks regulator hoves into view – and for the rest, it’s all a matter of shedding light, with new products from Mares and Weefine

time-read
4 Minuten  |
January 2018
Man Jailed For First- Time Diver's Lake Death
Diver

Man Jailed For First- Time Diver's Lake Death

THE OWNER OF A WELSH online company that sold golf balls retrieved from lakes has been jailed for 32 months for manslaughter, following the diving death of an employee.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2017
God's Pocket
Diver

God's Pocket

This coldwater Pacific classic can create dilemmas for photographers, says MARK B HATTER, torn between tiny rockfish and huge ‘GPOs’ in British Columbia.

time-read
8 Minuten  |
September 2017
In The Glassy Ripples
Diver

In The Glassy Ripples

Tonga is a place of myths and traditions, and until 1978 whales were welcomed there only as food. Now things have taken a very different turn, as JENNY STOCK, only slightly hampered by her wetsuit, relates.

time-read
7 Minuten  |
September 2017
Baby Diver
Diver

Baby Diver

Father-to-be HENLEY SPIERS decided that he needed a better understanding of diving and pregnancy.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
September 2017
Sumbawa
Diver

Sumbawa

It’s alway good to feel that you might be ahead of the pack – we often hear about Bali and Lombok on one hand, and Komodo and Flores on the other, but what lies in between? JOHN LIDDIARD finds out.

time-read
9 Minuten  |
September 2017
Nudi GB
Diver

Nudi GB

When you get your eye in you realise that colourful sea-slugs are not confined to the tropics – southeastern Scotland, for example, can also be a happy hunting-ground for macro enthusiasts. RICHARD ASPINALL drops into the Scottish Nudibranch Festival

time-read
8 Minuten  |
September 2017
Early Learning With Alligators-That's So Sick
Diver

Early Learning With Alligators-That's So Sick

The arrival of children can change divers’ lives – you don’t know if they will share your passion as they grow up or – inadvertently – stifle yours. So CHARLIE OLDFIELD went through a range of emotions when son Dylan announced that he wanted to dive…

time-read
4 Minuten  |
September 2017