Shooting while pregnant?

[Idaho]

My fiance', a new but enthusiastic shooter, stumped me with a question. I told her that if anyone knew, it would be someone on this site.

We anticipate that she will be getting pregnant in the not-too-distant future. Can she still shoot while pregnant? Are there any concerns about the loud noise traumatizing, perhaps even physically damaging, a fetus? Anyone here have any insight or experience? She really doesn't want to go 9 months without shooting (9 months without caffeine and alcohol are bad enough....)

 

[Ladybug]

From my understanding of the topic... the jury's still out. But I think overall the recommendation is to keep shooting to a minimum (thought there is no definitive data to suggest NOT to ever go shooting during pregnancy). I would, of course, ask the ob doctor, since each pregnancy is unique. Also, obviously, avoid lead exposure - use lead-free ammo, shoot outdoors, wash hands, etc. There's some debate about whether that level of noise is bad for the fetus.

 

[JohnKSa]

The noise can penetrate to the baby it's muffled, but possibly still loud enough to be a problem. I've not seen any numbers so it's pretty unquantifed.

Also, pregnancy is a good time to limit lead contact as much as possible.

In this case, since there is an absence of evidence that it's perfectly safe, there's only one rational course of action.

9 month's of no shooting is not warranted, however (assuming that you can resolve the lead exposure issue). Ask your doctor about the point at which the baby's ears have developed to the point that they could be damaged by loud noises.

 

[BlkHawk73]

I had the same question while my wife was pregnant. From our doctor and from what we read was that the noise could cause some stress towrds the end of the preganncy when the hearing of the fetus is more acute. (I guess that's the word) just like they say to sing to the fetus to sooth it, I guess loud, sharp noises can effect it adversely. Also, as mentioned, the lead contact would be bad also. Perhaps this would be a good opprotunity to get some sort of good airgun. At least she'll be able to keep the basic skills tuned nd even while she's @ home.

Best of luck with any little one! Have fun when you can, 'cause they grow fast.

 

[prezzz]

My wife is Pregnant right now with twins. She has not, and will not shoot until after they are born. It's not worth the risk.

 

[Gordy Wesen]

And what will you do when the kid begins to walk and demonstrates some rare disorder that they trace to explosive noises?
He'll have to live with it and you will only have gotten smarter.

 

[alan]

I cannot say for certain, however I hadn't noticed pregnant women ceasing to drive automobiles, and that is most certainly more dangerous than most any form of target shooting I can think of.

Have to ask my wife, who has close contact with doctors.

 

[Edward429451]

Cars dont normally go bang so thats irrelevant. I'd think that at most it should be limited to 22 rifles. But I could be wrong ther too, probably aint worth the chance.

 

[Pendragon]

Love your kid.

Stay home.

Ears develop fairly early and they cannot choose to avoid the noise.

Even very small ammounts of lead are very very bad for a developing fetus.

Being a parent is about putting your kid first - especially when they are most vulnerable.

edit: take up archery or airguns. .22s are particularly dirty.

 

[dude]

Unless you could get some really (really) small earplugs............. I would say the concept of shooting while preggers is insane, perhaps criminal

 

[sm]

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=141128&highlight=pregnant

 

[Jim March]

If she wants to keep her hand in, get her a pair of good quality airguns (rifle and handgun). Set up a range someplace with no gunfire going on, and trade off with her on long/short air guns.

 

[TallPine]

Well, your kid certainly won't be afraid of loud noises by the time he or she is born.

They can tell whether something is bad or not by the emotional/chemical response of the mother passed through the placenta. If the mother enjoys it, then the baby will be fine with it too.

You probably will have another "gun nut" on your hands in a few years.

 

[Darrin]

If only mufflers were legal.......

 

[mtnbkr]

My wife is 6months pregnant. When she went to the OB/GYN for the first visit, one of the things she was told not to do was shoot guns (I assumed it was the lead or recoil, never thought about noise). Luckily, she's not into them, but even if she was, we wouldn't risk it. Nine months is not too much to ask to ensure the baby's health and wellbeing.

As far as airguns go, make sure it's outside. Airgun pellets can introduce a lot of lead into the air when they hit a hard backstop (like a metal pellettrap).

Chris

 

[Oleg Volk]

Airgun pellets produce a lot of airborne lead. You might want to use jacketed BBs instead, though they'd be less accurate.

 

[alan]

My wife is a hospital social worker, pediatrics in particular. She is going to check this with some doctors she works with. For whatever it might be worth, I will post such data as developes.

 

[Ian Sean]

Knob Creek

At knob creek about 1994 or so I saw a pregnant mom going to town with an M2 .50. Her and Hubby were both into class 3 and there were other little rugrats running around. They didn't seem any worse for wear.

Wish my mom and dad were into class 3 growing up!!!!

Not that I condone it, its just something I saw.

 

[Carlos Cabeza]

I like to hear of people startin' 'em out young but...........
I still ascribe to what others have stated here.

 

[rock jock]

Latest research indicates that the fetus is much more sensitive to noise than previously thought. At what point in the pregnancy the fetus develops a sense of hearing, I don't know. So, there is the possibility of hearing damage or trauma at the least. Of greater concern I would think would be the inhalation of lead dust. This would be a MAJOR health issue at any point in the pregnancy. I would strongly recommend against a pregnant woman shooting anything.

 

[AJ Dual]

Airsoft

Sounds like a perfect situation to look into Airsoft. I'd reccomend a spring-cocker, or an elecrtic though. The "green" gas for gas powered models is non-toxic, but you never know. Plastic 6mm bb's ought to have nil toxicological impact.

The ability to buy near exact airsoft clones of a favorite carbine, auto or revolver you already own is a plus too.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Shooting produces two kinds of lead contamination:

1. Elemental lead from the bullet

2. Organic lead from the primer

Of the two, the organic lead is the much greater concern. Organic lead, in the form of lead styphanate, is very readily absorbed into the body through the skin and lungs, while elemental lead isn't so readily absorbed.

Given that even minute amounts of lead can cause severe developmental problems for a fetus (interfers with the way the neural paths develop in the brain, IIRC), I'd say that it's best to do NO shooting during pregnancy.

Limited shooting with the "Lead Free" ammunition might be OK, but I don't know.

 

[Sheslinger]

I would not be as concerned with the noise as I would with lead. Too big a risk to take, just wait 9 months.

Sheslinger

 

[DRC]

I'm not a doctor but I have asked and looked into this question myself.

My contention would be:

Don't take the risk. Stop shooting until the baby is born because logic dictates that if you don't do something that could injure your unborn child then you won't injure it. Just like if you don't stab yourself with a knife you won't bleed or get cut

The answers I received veried to the point of me coming to the conclusion that doctors have no idea if it is detrimental or not. They specualte based on known circumstances but those circumstances are based on children that have already been born. So the professional answer is "The jury is still out." If they don't know then you don't know either so don't risk it.

The lead issue I feel is a bit far fetched. Exposure to lead in higher quantities happens more often than we know anyway so the low amounts from shooting wouldn't be enough to make much of an impact (no pun intended) on the unborn child.

So in conclusion my opinion is that children are the greatest thing in the world (next to shooting and even then shooting takes a back seat) so don't take any chances.

Take care and pre-congratulations on the future birth of lifes greatest joy.

DRC

 

[MrAcheson]

Second the suggestion of airsoft. The BBs are plastic so no lead is present whatsoever and they are quieter than many people I know.