Whether in a tanning booth or on the beach is getting a tan OK when you’re pregnant?
Women generally have a low self esteem when pregnant. Aside from the raging hormones, watching your body turn into a disfigured form can be very disheartening as well. That’s why pregnant women adopt a lot of self-pampering methods during their pregnancy, as this will somehow ease the feeling of insecurity.
If you dread looking pale, especially during winter time, you might be considering getting some tan action. Sun-kissed skin is very appealing and you may feel attractive again even if your tummy is already getting bigger and bigger, and is a lovely tan color.
But is tanning safe for the baby inside your womb? Or will it affect the fetus in any negative way?
Can I Tan While Pregnant? Answer: No.
You should not tan while pregnant. Although there is no conclusive evidence that tanning is harmful for a developing fetus, it would still be good to avoid it. Actually, tanning is harmful to the mother as it exposes the skin to UV rays much like the harmful rays of the sun. And we all know that overexposure to UV rays can lead to skin cancer.
A pregnant woman is also at high risk to develop Melanoma. This is a type of cancer that is also linked to sun exposure, and the condition can spread to the fetus inside the womb through the placenta. You will therefore expose your baby to developing cancer at a very early age.
Possible Risks of Tanning to an Unborn Baby
As previously stated, there are no conclusive facts as to the overall effects of tanning beds to babies. Babies inside the womb are not experimented on, as this goes against medical ethics. However, it is a known fact that lying on a tanning bed will raise the body temperature of the pregnant mother, and a temperature that’s too high can prove to be dangerous to a fetus inside the womb.
When a pregnant woman’s body temperature exceeds 102 degrees Fahrenheit, the baby inside her womb can have malformation complications. Other situations that can raise the temperature of a pregnant woman’s body include taking long hot showers, going to the sauna, and tanning. That’s why you should avoid all those things especially during the first trimester.
Tanning also requires that you lie on your back for some time. And it is not advisable for pregnant mommies to lie on their backs for a long time, as this will restrict the blood flow not only to the mom’s heart but to the baby as well.
Harmful Effects of Tanning to Mothers
Pregnancy makes a woman more vulnerable to a condition called “chloasma”. When you develop this condition, you will have patches of dark spots on your skin (usually on the face and arm areas). And when you develop this condition, you will feel even more unattractive and insecure about your looks.
Tanning and exposure to UV rays will also make you prone to premature aging. You can develop wrinkles on your face and your skin can also appear unusually dry.
If You Really Must Tan
If you really must go through with your tanning plans, you can try to keep the sessions as short as possible in order to avoid overheating of your internal body temperature. During the whole process, you should also make it a point to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Your baby needs the extra water, as his or her developing body is not yet equipped with the proper mechanism to automatically cool off when the temperature gets too hot.
You should also rely on your instincts and simply get out of the tanning bed if you are already feeling too hot and exhausted. Chances are, if you are feeling hot and tired your baby feels the same way too.
Self Tanners and Tanning Lotions
According to some sources, using tan creams and lotions is generally safe for unborn babies. These products are mostly made of dyes that only stay on the surface of the skin, and thus, the chemicals are not absorbed by the body and therefore have no effect on your baby. However, some doctors still advise against using such lotions and creams, as there could still be some risks that the ingredients are absorbed by the mother’s skin. And when this happens, any toxic chemicals can also be transported to the baby through the placenta.
Playing it Safe
Putting your baby’s life and health at risk is definitely not worth looking good and feeling good about yourself. Pregnancy only lasts as few months and having the assurance that you will be delivering a normal and healthy baby surely makes any kind of sacrifice worth it.
