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I 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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