Is it safe to go sun tanning during pregnancy?

Unsafe

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by Barbara Kasey Smith

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Is it safe to go sun tanning during pregnancy? We all love to have that sun-kissed bronze glow because it makes us look healthy and full of vim and vigor. When a woman is several months along in her pregnancy, she may feel she needs something to make her have a special glow and not to pale. She can get this out of the tube or a bottle and it is much more safer than UV rays or tanning beds. These come in sunless tanning lotions, creams and foam and I've used them with much success and it is almost impossible to tell it came from a tube or a bottle and not from the actual sun.

There have been some studies linking UV rays and folic acid deficiency in woman who are pregnant. A woman's skin is also much more susceptible to burning and chloasma ( dark splotches appearing on a pregnant woman's face), if she stays out in the sun. I would advise you to speak to your doctor about the safety of UV rays and tanning beds during pregnancy before you do so.

There hasn't been any studies done on pregnant woman that prove conclusive evidence that tanning beds will harm their baby; however, a lot of doctors advises their patient tanning beds might raise their bodies temperature (as well as saunas will) and overheating can be associated with spinal malformations in a pregnant woman's baby.

When a pregnant woman goes to the beach, the sun can cause their skin to be more sensitive it causes, i.e., heat rash and it worsens chloasma. If you are determined to go to the beach, it would be wise to drink plenty of water and to use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or even higher and to set in the shade of an umbrella as much as possible. If you should start feeling ill, go to an air conditioned area. You may want to ask your doctor if the sunscreen which contains an active ingredient, dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is acceptable for use during your pregnancy. There's "no" evidence or studies indicating it is harmful but some doctors encourage women to wait until after the first trimester.

A first suggestion to any woman who is pregnant is to discuss being out in the sun with your doctor and ask him/her about any foreseeable problems that could harm your baby during pregnancy. It's a suggestion that cannot go wrong when you have a one on one with your doctor. They will be able to fill you in on all the can's and cannot's associated with the sun. So, before just going to the beach on your own judgement, be safe and check with your doctor.

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