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| Safe | 30% | 46 votes | Total: 153 votes | |
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Safe
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Add to FavoritesI am playing the devil's advocate here by saying safe aren't I? But the truth of the matter is that there is no conclusive evidence to show that tanning can harm your baby. If the UV light is not in direct contact with the baby how can it be harmful?
As usual, with anything in life, it is possible to overdo potentially harmful activities such as sun tanning or using tanning beds, but done in moderation, with a sensible attitude, there should be no harm done.
Mother Nature has placed the baby in a protective membrane, filled with a sterile solution designed to act as a barrier to all outside influence. The only potential harm that could be done would be if the mother to be overdoes the sun tanning experience and suffers burns or premature aging and malignant melanoma skin cancer. But this could happen to anyone putting themselves at this kind of risk.
The question isn't whether sun tanning puts a person at risk, it is asking whether being pregnant would increase that risk or whether it would harm the baby or affect the course of the pregnancy.
However there are factors that have to be considered such as using the hot tubs, saunas, and tanning beds, or lying in the sun un-shaded. It has been suggested that overheating could be associated with spinal malformations in the baby. Also, some studies suggest a link between UV rays and folic acid deficiency. As all us mothers know, who have had to take the wretched stuff, Folic acid helps prevent defects, such as spina bifida and is especially important in the first trimester.
After you have passed the first three months of your pregnancy, it should be perfectly fine to bask for 10-15 minute each time. This must be done in consideration that during pregnancy the skin becomes more susceptible to burning and you may notice that you develop the condition known as chloasma, the dark patches that often appear on the face during pregnancy.
However, I am of the opinion that a little bit of what you fancy in this area will do you no harm as long as you do it sensibly. In relation to sunbathing in particular, as long as you don't sunbathe when the sun is at its hottest, don't fall asleep in the sun, make sure that you are close to some shade, don't allow yourself to overheat and make sure that you are well hydrated and using a high factor sun cream, then you should be fine.
I would conclude by saying that this is just a debate and my own personal opinion. I myself sunbathed whilst pregnant with all of my children but I always followed my own instincts. If something didn't feel right or I felt dizzy or unwell I would quickly get back into the shade and get myself a glass of water and stay away from direct sunshine for the rest of the day.
It really is a matter of personal choice. Some woman may not prefer to take the chance that there could be a risk and abstain from suntanning totally and others are of the opinion that doing it sensibly won't do you or the baby any harm. I am of the latter opinion.
Learn more about this author, Jane Allyson.
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Unsafe
We've all heard people refer to pregnant women as "glowing". However, for women who frequent tanning salons, that natural glow isn't always an attractive alternative to their usually bronzed bod. This can be especially true once they start to pack on the pregnancy pounds and become more self-conscious about their looks.
Unfortunately for our skin, a golden tan is the current beauty trend and even pregnant women sometimes feel the pressure to have that golden glow. However, while there is little hard evidence to suggest that tanning beds are harmful to a growing fetus, this isn't the time when you want to take any chances. While your baby isn't going to be born with two heads just because you went tanning during your pregnancy, doctors have suggested several aspects of the tanning process that could potentially be harmful to your baby.
Of course, we all know that over-exposure to UV rays can lead to premature aging of the skin and even skin cancer, but are there hidden dangers for women who are expecting? The simple answer is: no one really knows. Researchers have yet to come up with conclusive evidence proving that tanning beds are an immediate threat to a growing fetus.
However, researchers DO know that over-exposure to UV rays may indirectly harm an unborn baby, because it can cause certain changes in the mother's body. For example, most experts strongly discourage expecting mothers from participating in any activity that might cause a rise in their core body temperature (over 102 degrees Fahrenheit). Such activities could include the use of tanning beds, as well as hot tubs and saunas. Even general over-exposure to the sun can be harmful to an unborn baby in this way. Studies have linked overheating (hyperthermia), to developmental problems in babies, such as spinal malformations. Hyperthermia is thought to be especially harmful during the first trimester.
Over-expos ure to UV rays is also thought to contribute to folic acid deficiency. Folic acid is vital to your baby's health, especially during the first trimester. Folic acid helps to prevent neural defects, such as spina bifida.
Finally, the increase in perspiration brought about by too much time in the sun (or tanning bed), can negatively affect breast milk production.
An alternative to spending time in the sun or tanning bed is using a sunless tanning product. Sunless tanning lotions and sprays have come a long way in recent years. There are many products on the market these days that provide faster and more natural results without the unpleasant odor or orange streaks. However, even a bottle tan might not be completely safe. There has been some concern that the active ingredient, dihydroxyacetone (DHA), may be able to penetrate the skin. DHA has been used in many cosmetics since the 1960s without any reported problems; however, many health care professionals still suggest that women wait until at least the second trimester to use any self-tanning product.
Unfortunatel y, there is no concrete proof regarding the dangers of tanning beds or sunless tanners to a growing fetus. However, if it were my child, I wouldn't want to risk it. Your child may pay for a lifetime, because you couldn't go nine months without a tan. It just doesn't seem worth it to me.
However, if you do decide to tan during your pregnancy, or spend a considerable amount of time out in the sun, at least be smart about it. Your skin may be more susceptible to burning during pregnancy, so don't tan for as long as you usually would, whether you're laying on the beach, or tanning indoors in a bed. When choosing a tanning salon, make sure that you select one that has well ventilated or air conditioned rooms, to lower your risk of hyperthermia. Finally, keep yourself well hydrated. Increase your fluid intake according to the amount of time you spend in the sun.
Learn more about this author, Marie Gerber.
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