by Kira Te'for

Created on: February 06, 2008

Whether you decide to get a tan from a tanning salon, or whether you go and lie in the sun, there are dangers tanning while you are pregnant. These include overheating, dehydration and adverse skin reactions. Although these reactions do not occur in everyone who tans while pregnant, you cannot be sure that one of these will not effect you, and pose a danger to you or your unborn baby.

Overheating

While you are pregnant, it is dangerous for your body temperature to rise above 101 degrees Fahrenheit. A rise in your body temperature can cause birth defects and brain damage to your unborn baby. This is because you baby cannot sweat and has no way of cooling itself down.
If you are going to a tanning salon or lying in the sun, it is possible that your body temperature could rise up to or above this level, and cause harm to your unborn baby.

Dehydration

Even if your body temperature does not rise to a dangerous level, it is still possible that you may become dehydrated. This is dangerous for your baby as it can lead to low amniotic fluid. Every hour the amniotic fluid needs to be replaced with approximately one cup of water that is stored in your body. If you are dehydrated, this cannot happen.
Also, during pregnancy you have an increased blood flow. This needs to be diluted to prevent cardiovascular problems.

Skin reactions

While you are pregnant, the pigment in your skin reacts differently. When using a tanning salon, or spending too much time in the sun, you could develop a skin condition called cholasma. These are dark splotches on the skin which may or may not go after your pregnancy is over. The reason many pregnant women decide to tan whilst pregnant is because with their change in body image, they may feel low self esteem. If you have gone out to get a tan, and come back with splotched all over your body, this will not help your self esteem at all.

Whilst many people do decide to tan while pregnant, and have no harmful side effects, if there is a danger to you or your unborn baby, it may be safer to leave tanning until after your baby is born.

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