Experience the Ocean While Expecting: A Guide to Freediving and Pregnancy

The ocean is my life. The water has always guided my career path. As my life has changed over the years, I've always found a way to connect with the ocean and capture its beauty through photography. So when I discovered I was pregnant, with plans to lead an underwater photography expedition in the middle of the ocean six months later, I had a moment filled with questions.

Navigating Pregnancy and Freediving

• Q - Can I freedive while pregnant?

  A - (ish)

• Q - Until when am I allowed to be in the water?

  A - (well into your third trimester if heartburn doesn't stop you)

• Q - Can I fly?

  A - (till 36 weeks, with discomfort and a doctor’s note)

• Q - What about wetsuits?

  A - (squeeeezee)

• Q - Where do I even put my weight belt?

  A - (freediver style. Practically under your butt)

• Q - Is it ok to be on boats?

  A - (For the most part)

  
  

I started looking for answers online, but I didn’t find much. The encouragement and support to maintain my water lifestyle came from the mothers in my life who had never freedived, as well as from my doctors. Some answers I had to discover on my own, and that’s what this article is about.

Can I Freedive While Pregnant?

First of all, I want to clarify: this is a blog about my experience, not medical advice. Please consult your doctor before making any assumptions. If you have never freedived before, this is not the time to start a new sport. Stick to what your body already knows. I had a very healthy pregnancy, which made things easier in and out of the water. If you are a diver or an active person accustomed to any sport, there’s a good chance you can continue doing what you love well into your pregnancy. If your sport has become second nature, your body will communicate its limits.

After three challenging months of wondering if I would ever regain my energy, I got back on boats. I went shark diving (with very shallow dives and no tanks) and snorkeling during my second trimester. I even led my underwater photo expedition in the Azores at 28 weeks. Being in the water felt easier than walking, but it came with its challenges (heartburn was a constant issue).

In short, yes, if you are a diver and pregnant, you can still enjoy the water, albeit with some limitations. This is not the time to learn new skills or push for personal bests. However, you don’t have to give up everything you love. You just get to do it more slowly, with your little one experiencing it alongside you.

Can I Fly While Pregnant?

To reach clear waters and sharks, I had to fly to Hawaii and the Azores. I had been flying frequently in recent years, and I never imagined that this would become the hardest part of maintaining my lifestyle while pregnant.

Yes, you can fly for most of your pregnancy. After 28 weeks, some airlines will require a doctor’s note, so make sure to get one and bring it with you. From 36 weeks onward, airlines can refuse to let you board.

However, the flying experience was rough. Non-stop flights are the best. But taking international trips off the regular tourist path meant long flights and even longer layovers. The trick that helped me was getting out of the airport and lying flat, taking naps whenever I could. Day spas for a few hours and hotels near the airport made things much easier.

If you are traveling to Europe, many airports offer priority security screening and boarding for pregnant women. I took full advantage of that.

What About the Wetsuit?

The wetsuit dilemma was one of my main concerns that I didn’t resolve until the day I put one on at the dive site. I didn’t buy anything new because it was hard to predict what size I would need. I packed my two Cressi suits, made of softer material. The 1.5mm zip-up was too thin for the water temperature but was the most comfortable. Eventually, I found that my 3.5mm suit was much better, but it required cutting off the hood.

What I didn’t expect was that eating any food would make staying in the water nearly impossible. The moment I donned a wetsuit and entered the water, any space left in my stomach got compressed, resulting in severe heartburn that made it hard to breathe. This meant full-day missions turned into “I can only get in the water if I don’t eat at all.” For a photographer, that’s painful. Bringing a drone allowed me to still be part of the action, which made it feel less like a loss. But honestly, the stories and smiles on the faces of the people I brought with me made it all worthwhile.

Layering a large wetsuit top over my 1.5mm suit worked too, but it wasn’t comfortable. In hindsight, the two options I brought were sufficient.

Where Do I Even Put My Weight Belt?

The weight belt placement with a third-trimester baby bump turned out not to be an issue at all. I never trimmed my belt shorter, so there was plenty of room to grow into it. If anything, for once in my life, it actually stayed on my hips. Handing it to the boat crew before climbing back up was the only restriction I really faced.

Is It Okay to Be on Boats?

If you share my passion for the ocean and just found out you are pregnant, you’ve probably tried to book mild activities like whale watching and discovered they have restrictions for pregnant women. I wasn’t too happy about that, so after my doctor gave me the green light, I started calling various tours I had planned to explain that I was very comfortable on boats and had medical approval to be on them.

It can get bumpy on any vessel. On small boats, I sat in the back near the captain, and on good days, it felt better than walking. On the last rough day of the expedition, I had a long conversation with my baby as the boat crashed through waves, promising it would be the last day. I wondered if he was having a good time or if he thought I was a terrible pilot. Hopefully, this adventure will give him a head start and shield him from seasickness.

Finding Balance in Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time of significant change, and it comes with its challenges, especially when your heart belongs to the ocean. This journey has shown me how possible it is to adapt if you are fortunate enough to have a healthy pregnancy. Just listen to your body, and keep enjoying the activities that bring you joy. Whether it’s freediving, traveling to international destinations, or simply being on the water, pregnancy doesn’t have to mean giving up on your passions. It’s about finding new rhythms, slower paces, and a deeper connection with both your body and your little one.

For anyone navigating the same path, remember: you’re not alone. With knowledge and patience, you can continue your life’s adventures, even with a baby on board.