Mamas who target practice

kswiger06 · July 2016

I've been doing lots of research, but so far just get conflicting information. I love shooting a range of guns as well as my compound bow. For the guns, I've read most women shoot until 16 weeks because that's when baby's ears are forming. Then I read that some women shoot the whole time with 22s and lower Cal. Since baby is well protected in layer upon layer in the mama. Also is the kick from shooting high caliber amunition or the loudness of the bang that is concerning? Then with my bow, I currently have a draw weight of 45 lbs so it would seem okay, but I know that the pull itself causes me to tighten my whole core. I also haven't shot it for a couple months and may be a little out of practice/shape for drawing it back and would hate to cause harm. I was just wondering with so many of us, if there are any mamas who have any experience or knowledge in this area. Of course I can ask my Dr. But next visit is 3 weeks away, and I don't really want to call in for that since I don't currently have set plans on shooting anytime coming up. I'm just more curious about what other shooters have done.

WinchesterGirl · July 2016

I do not bow shoot, but I was also wondering about target practicing with a pistol! I was planning to get my concealed carry permit before the end of the year.

bdesterhouse · July 2016

Its the lead in the ammunition that posses the biggest risk. If you shoot with copper bullets it reduces the risk. You can't clean the gun because of the chemicals. My husband said if I want to shoot I'll have to wear gloves (not sure what gloves he is talking about lol) and he'll load the gun. My doctor said if it was occasional that it shouldn't be an issue. I chose not to shoot after 20 weeks just to be safe. I don't go to concerts either after that time just in case for the baby's hearing.

laujam31 · July 2016

i was told to stay out of the range while pregnant. I believe it was due to the lead. That was with my first. It's now my third. I can't remember all the reasons.

FishyMom · July 2016

You're a badass!!! I have no clue!!

Patience7150 · July 2016

I actually work for Federal Premium and regularly shoot in competitive shooting matches. I haven't shot since my bfp, but am still on the fence on whether I will. We have a two gun (AR and pistol) tactical training/group bonding getaway work event in mid August. I still plan to participate in that, but may cut back on handling 150+ rounds a week...

ETA I won't be going to indoor ranges...everything I do is outdoors which reduces the exposure to/concentration of lead.

kswiger06 · July 2016

@WinchesterGirl I have been debating on the conceal to carry, but I get nervous when I'm on the spot with spectators lol. I live in ohio as far as I know we are still open carry, so if I felt like I needed protection on me I could just open carry lol.

Gingersnap · July 2016

I have no idea, but that's hot.

kswiger06 · July 2016

@bdesterhouse my husband always cleans the guns, I just get to have the fun haha. But seriously I never realized that it was the lead risk. I'll let my husband know this info and he'll load for me.

kswiger06 · July 2016

@Patience7150 I haven't been shooting since my bfp but I think we were out right before I got it. We only shot .22 because I was nervous about what I was allowed to do. I like to keep up on our 9 mm because it's what we have upstairs for home protection, although I'm sure the others would do if needed lol. I only shoot at outdoor ranges so that sounds like a bonus

. I'm glad to hear you plan on participating in that tactical training/group bonding in August because we still have a lot of summer left and I'm itching to shoot.

Does anyone know if the caliber or type of gun affects what is recommended and or safe to shoot. So far it seems like the biggest concern is the lead (goodbye muzzle loading) not the recoil. I shoot a wide range of them and some pack a punch.

Patience7150 · July 2016

@kswiger06 I don't think caliber matters much but I'd personally probably stay off the .50cal! Hah! I think it's mostly noise and lead, not recoil, so shoot away on the bow.

kswiger06 · July 2016

Patience7150 said:

@kswiger06 I don't think caliber matters much but I'd personally probably stay off the .50cal! Hah! I think it's mostly noise and lead, not recoil, so shoot away on the bow.

Lol yeah when we decided we were gonna start trying for baby we went out for a last "bang" lol and I shot the craziest stuff I could just because I figured I'd be cutting back to maybe just the .22. Which I still love for a good competition with husband but don't get that rush of a bigger bang haha and I love my bow. Just got the new elite spirit in February.

If you ladies like target practice and haven't tried a bow, they are a blast!!

yogadevil · July 2016

I'm going to stay out of the indoor range for many reasons and just hit up the outdoor range here and there like usual.

I actually havnt asked my Dr if it's cool to even hunt this year, but I'd go the ground blind route and just have someone else drag the deer if need be. My DH is currently adamant that I not even step on a stepstool (sigh) so I think my 25ft stand is out of the question regardless if my 7 month belly will even fit up there.

I don't bow hunt so I'm no help there lol

kswiger06 · July 2016

yogadevil said:

I'm going to stay out of the indoor range for many reasons and just hit up the outdoor range here and there like usual.

I actually havnt asked my Dr if it's cool to even hunt this year, but I'd go the ground blind route and just have someone else drag the deer if need be. My DH is currently adamant that I not even step on a stepstool (sigh) so I think my 25ft stand is out of the question regardless if my 7 month belly will even fit up there.

I don't bow hunt so I'm no help there lol

Lol that would be a sight to see a big ol belly getting up in a tree stand haha. I would think by then getting up any sort of ladder may be nearly impossible but it would be funny to watch. I actually dont hunt, husband says its a waste because i can outshoot him often, im just a softie and cant take the last breath away of anything besides spiders lol.

mrslittlemac · July 2016

I still shoot my .22s, .38 revolver, and my 12 gauge, but not competitively. Hubby's taken over cleaning duties for me and only when I'm not home. I also have a pair of fingerless gloves I've worn for years, but they are more for grip than reducing lead exposure. Only shoot outdoors in the least populated bays we can find, and I don't make a whole day of it. Always always take a shower to wash off the residue when you get back, but as long as you take precautions you should be fine! I will probably hang it all up around 18-20 weeks and the shotgun will go up before that. The .22 I plan to shoot as long as I feel comfortable doing so though

varimama · July 2016

Personally I've stopped since my BFP. I'm of the mindset of why risk it, if it could harm the baby I don't do it. At least to the best of my ability. I realize not everyone feels this way, that's just my choice.

kswiger06 · July 2016

@MrsLittleMac thanks for the info. We usually just take 50 rounds each for .22 less than that for other things, maybe if I go I will take baby wipes or something to give a quick wipe down.

@marriedhamstermom I completely understand. I generally have the why risk it mindset also. With this I really wasn't too sure where the risks were. My dad recently tried talking me into taking "just a sip" of a mixed drink he concocted and I was completely mortified that he even suggested it, even though to him it was "just a sip".

bdesterhouse · July 2016

kswiger06 said:

@bdesterhouse my husband always cleans the guns, I just get to have the fun haha. But seriously I never realized that it was the lead risk. I'll let my husband know this info and he'll load for me.

My husband has always cleaned ours too. He used to threaten me to have clean it myself but has never followed through lol.

kswiger06 · July 2016

bdesterhouse said:

kswiger06 said:

@bdesterhouse my husband always cleans the guns, I just get to have the fun haha. But seriously I never realized that it was the lead risk. I'll let my husband know this info and he'll load for me.

My husband has always cleaned ours too. He used to threaten me to have clean it myself but has never followed through lol.

Lol I've watched my husband do it a billion times, he's just never asked me to help and I've never volunteered lol

MrsDrKirkpatrick · July 2016

We went shooting shortly before we found out we were pregnant. I asked our instructor about it and told him we were trying, and he said that you really shouldn't shoot after your second month mainly because of the lead. And from what I've read there has not been much research done on the effect of the sound on the baby. I would stear clear and say to play it safe. But at the end of the day doctors orders trump all, so I'd say give your doctor a call if you can or ask the nurse on staff.

jwevansdvm · July 2016

You ladies are right, it's the risk of lead. Outdoor ranges are much better for ventilation, wearing a respirator (N95) would help, and the biggest thing is to wash your face and hands immediately after shooting to decrease the chance of mucous membrane absorption. I have a concealed carry and don't plan on stopping occasional outdoor range practice!

cinderin · July 2016

I can't be the only person who thought (hoped?) this was about shopping at Target, right?

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