[Pregnancy and scuba diving: what precautions?].
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[Pregnancy and scuba diving: what precautions?].
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Authors:
Address: Département de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève.
Journal:
Publication:
scuba diving is a leisure activity increasingly popular amongst women. Many women are concerned about the risks associated with diving and a known or planned Pregnancy. In order to advise these young women, we have reviewed the literature concerning women and diving as well as animal studies on the subject. The different international federations and the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society advise against scuba diving for pregnant women or those planning a pregnancy, but no randomized trials or trials provide a solid scientific basis. The fetal circulation is characterized by the exclusion of the pulmonary circulation by 2 right to left shunts. As the lung appears to act as a filter against the progression of micro-bubbles to the main circulation, the fetus may be therefore particularly exposed to gas emboli. However, the placenta could play this role in certain animal species. Nitrox diving appears to be particularly promising, but studies on the subject are still insufficient to recommend it for pregnant women.
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