What are your thoughts on this subject?  Has any of your wives/gfs gone to the range while pregnant?

I think that's a question for an OB/GYN.

i'm no doctor, but i would "think" that the loud noise from gunfire might damage a developing babies ears?  But that's purely speculation lol.  I guess it would also depend how far along the baby is.

Not good.

Most of the concern for pregnant women stems from the exposure to lead.....the risk is minimal from what little I have read, but still there. Assessing the individual risk from that minimal lead exposure is where the real difficulty lays

Interesting question. If I had to guess, I would say, "that depends." It depends on the age of the fetus, the level of noise the fetus is exposed to and the repercussion felt in the womb.  The sound may have none to negligible effect on a fetus with an undeveloped/underdeveloped auditory system. The sound wave, however could have an effect but what that effect is depends on what amount actually reaches the fetus in the mother.  I Am unaware of any published information of the sound levels in the womb but there must be some information on the subject.  I would venture to say that exposing the fetus to the effects caused by the discharge of a firearm can be negligible to harmful but certainly can do no good.

I understand it's a rhetorical question but... why would you risk it?  Unless you were defending yourself and your unborn baby.

Thanks for the input everyone!  The reason I asked is because my GF loves to shoot. She is currently 6 months pregnant and wanted to come with me to koko head. We asked her OB/GYN and he said the sound could potentially damage the fetus' hearing. She researched some articles debating the dangers of indoor vs. outdoor ranges. Supposedly outdoor ranges are "safer" in terms of lead inhalation and sound entrapment for the fetus. I still don't think it's safe whether indoor or outdoor. She also found testimonies of women who were pregnant and still went hunting and the baby was born healthy. I still won't let her come with me haha.

As sad as it is for her, this falls into the "better safe than sorry" category.

Now years from now after your GF becomes your wife, you'll want to do all your shooting with no earplugs. This way you can accelerate the hearing loss for yourself and ensure your continued happiness. 

As sad as it is for her, this falls into the "better safe than sorry" category.

Now years from now after your GF becomes your wife, you'll want to do all your shooting with no earplugs. This way you can accelerate the hearing loss for yourself and ensure your continued happiness. 

That is sound advice!

Thanks for the input everyone!  The reason I asked is because my GF loves to shoot. She is currently 6 months pregnant and wanted to come with me to koko head. We asked her OB/GYN and he said the sound could potentially damage the fetus' hearing. She researched some articles debating the dangers of indoor vs. outdoor ranges. Supposedly outdoor ranges are "safer" in terms of lead inhalation and sound entrapment for the fetus. I still don't think it's safe whether indoor or outdoor. She also found testimonies of women who were pregnant and still went hunting and the baby was born healthy. I still won't let her come with me haha.

Some things to consider;
1).  Outdoor vs. lead inhalation - I disagree.  With a properly designed and built indoor range there is a positive pressure at the firing line and a negative pressure downrange at the impact area.  All the powder, lead, etc./bad  stuff should be moving away from the shooters.  Outdoors the wind can blow all that back to you.

2).  Sound entrapment indoors.........yeah I have to believe outdoors is better.

3).  Women hunting when pregnant - I think you need to consider that the women may not have even shot at anything.  You may not even see anything during the season or maybe you might fire a handfull of times.  I think you'll shoot much more at the range in a more condensed period of time.

4).  Depends what you shoot.........obviously you are talking different circumstances if you are shooting a 22lr versus a 50 BMG.

Here's one article I was able to find....while not a true research or study paper, it does have some insight. It is, as far as research studies go, somewhate dated (2001). Interestingly, the authors suggest that suppressors might be a solution if indeed noise does emerge as a problem.

http://gunownersresource.com/gorole/index.php?title=Shooting_and_pregnancy