Tanning While Pregnant
Is tanning while pregnant safe?
There has been much controversy about whether tanning while pregnant is safe. In fact, some governments have even passed laws against tanning while pregnant, and a lot of salons won’t allow customers to tan if they are pregnant because of the liability. It’s important that you start by finding out what your local government says about tanning while pregnant. If it’s illegal, then you can just stop right there. Is a tan really worth being arrested or fined over?
The issue of tanning while pregnant truly depends on which doctor you ask. Some doctors will even say that tanning is not safe at all, whether you’re pregnant or not. On the other hand, tanning advocates say it’s a great source of vitamin D, which is very beneficial for both mother and baby. So who’s right and who’s wrong? We probably won’t know until more study is done on the subject, but for now, let’s look at the facts so you can decide for yourself.
First of all, researchers have yet to present sufficient evidence that states the rays from a tanning bed are dangerous for babies in the womb. However, they do give off UVB rays, and there have already been many studies that show this type of ray can cause skin cancer in the long run if you’re not careful about how often you visit the tanning bed.
One of the things your doctor will tell you to avoid while you’re pregnant is extreme heat for extended periods of time. This fact keeps all pregnant women out of the hot tub, and some even refrain from taking baths if they love extremely hot water in their bath tubs. Hot water can raise your body temperature significantly, and a tanning bed is essentially the same thing. Tanning beds may even raise your temperature more than a warm bath, so this reason alone may be a good one to keep from tanning while pregnant. Too much heat causes overheating and hypothermia. It also can cause you to run low on folic acid, which is vital to preventing a wide range of birth defects, from spinal problems to neural tube defects.
Some doctors will say that it’s ok to visit the tanning salon while you’re pregnant. However, they will usually issue a number of restrictions and advisories on those visits. They say you should drink plenty of water and not stay in the tanning bed for more than 5 or 10 minutes. They also say that you should not go to the tanning salon more than twice a week while you’re pregnant.
Another thing to consider is whether you actually want a tan while you’re pregnant. The reason for this question is because your skin is much more sensitive while you’re pregnant. You could end up with a nasty sunburn instead of a tan, thus defeating the whole purpose you went to the tanning bed in the first place.
If you love to tan, then the tanning bed may be one luxury you just don’t want to give up. It’s important to weigh all the factors before you go.