Diving after preganancy

During pregnancy, diving is prohibited from a medical point of view, therefore no diving fitness is certified by the doctor during this time. All the more important to create a nice and relaxed re-entry. Bettina's fins were also itching. Throughout her pregnancy, she had missed her favorite hobby, despite the anticipation of the baby. There were things to consider in the run-up, but now she is happy to be back!

Of course, only healthy women are allowed to dive. Any injuries or surgeries, such as a C-section, must be completely healed. Also, there must be no chest inflammation. Before the first dive, both the gynecologist and the diving doctor should be consulted. This way, as a new mom, you can be sure to be fit for diving even after the extended break.

Since many women do little or no exercise during pregnancy, their physical condition may not be as good as it was before pregnancy. Diving is a strenuous sport. The heavy equipment, the influence of depth and current on the body, the heat on vacation, all this may not be so easy to cope with. In addition, many mothers experience almost chronic fatigue due to short nights. So if you start diving again, you should take it slowly and not overestimate yourself.

The body sensation
A woman's body changes during pregnancy, and the way I feel about my body is completely different. I can no longer tolerate tight clothing, especially not on my upper body. It has to be airy and light. Too tight equipment can theoretically also lead to a painful milk congestion. That's why I borrowed a loose-fitting suit.

Where to go with the child?
During the dive care for the child is essential. A dive in the lake can be combined with a family trip. Take your partner and child with you, park them in a shady spot and leave them there for the duration of the dive. If you go on vacation and make day trips by boat, you must have your partner, other relatives or a trusted babysitter with you.

The buddies
Essential for me was the support of my dive buddies. During the pre-dive briefing, it was very clear that I would dictate the pace, depth and duration of the dive. Since the little one needed milk again, it takes a little longer until we were in the water. Relaxed buddies with patience and understanding that with child not everything can be planned so precisely, are very important for a relaxed dive.

According to the doctor, this is not a problem. Nitrogen is very fat-soluble and dissolves in breast milk. The nitrogen bubbles are desaturated during the sucking process, and damage to the child is impossible. The milk is said to become frothier due to the nitrogen; the child is virtually served a cappuccino without coffee.

Time factor
When breastfeeding your offspring, you have to make preparations and take the child's rhythm into account when planning. I breastfed right before the dive, so I had enough time underwater. Then there was quite relaxed during the surface break again milk for the little man. For emergencies, my partner had a bottle with him.

The breastfeeding dementia
I would not have thought it would be possible before, but since I have been breastfeeding I am extremely forgetful and inattentive. It seems that by releasing certain hormones, the body ensures that the mother only concentrates on the child. So I forgot to connect the inflator hose to the jacket and left various pieces of equipment lying around. A buddy check and attentive friends help against breastfeeding dementia during diving.

Risk of a decompression accident
As a breastfeeding mother, you have to pay special attention to your fluid balance. Breastfeeding in itself leads to a significantly increased need for fluids. This slightly increases the theoretical risk of a decompression accident, since diving and breastfeeding create a de facto double fluid requirement. Therefore, nursing mothers are advised to drink plenty of fluids and to dive conservatively.

There are a few things to consider, but there is nothing to be said against returning to your favorite hobby as soon as possible. Good planning and support in the family environment or circle of friends also allow breastfeeding mothers to go diving. Whether, when and where a woman goes diving again after pregnancy is entirely up to her. Under no circumstances you should take well-intentioned but often annoying advice by heart. You should talk to your doctor and visit a diving doctor. My doctor beautifully said , "When everything has healed, almost everything is actually allowed that is fun and good for you." I had a wonderful day diving and am overjoyed to be back.

Author Bettina Winert