Is it okay to sunbathe when pregnant?

Can pregnant women sunbathe? A question that interests future mothers whose pregnancy falls at the height of the beach season. Let's look at this question, find out whether it is possible to sunbathe during pregnancy, what precautions to take, what to be wary of, and how to protect the future baby from the scorching sun.

During pregnancy, women behave very carefully, since even the best habits and seemingly harmless procedures can harm the future baby. In the middle of summer, expectant mothers are faced with the acute question of whether pregnant women can sunbathe. Or will they have to forget about relaxing on the beach, sunbathing and swimming in water bodies during pregnancy?

The first thing that alarms any pregnant woman in the summer is rumors about the harm of ultraviolet radiation, which is abundant in the sun's rays. But this is not a reason to refuse the opportunity to sunbathe during pregnancy. Scientists have proven that solar radiation can help cure many diseases, that is, the sun acts as a doctor.

• For pregnant women, sun tanning is, first of all, a good mood. Scientists have proven that sun rays are the best antidepressant. And if the mother is in a good mood, then the baby is happy!
• Another fact in favor of tanning during pregnancy is that the sun's rays speed up metabolism, that is, metabolism. The immune system, weakened by pregnancy, improves, the body gains strength and actively fights microbes and bacteria from the external environment.
• Tanning during pregnancy increases the amount of hemoglobin in the blood and improves the functioning of the endocrine glands. Prevents osteoporosis, that is, a disease associated with damage to bone tissue.
• Sun rays promote the production of vitamin D, which is responsible for the health of the future baby. This is an excellent prevention of childhood rickets.

Tanning during pregnancy will be useful for those mothers who lack sun. We are talking about residents of northern, cold regions. In addition, tanning during pregnancy will help to cope with immune conflicts.

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Tanning during pregnancy

Tanning during pregnancy is allowed, but you need to follow the rules of caution. The first thing you need to know is that during pregnancy, the tan sets in much faster. This happens due to changes in the hormonal background: the level of estrogen increases, due to which the pigment melanin is intensively formed. Due to this, the skin acquires a chocolate, tanned shade. Future mothers should be careful when sunbathing in the sun, as this can lead to negative consequences.

Tanning during pregnancy and safety rules:

• Avoid direct sunlight, relax under a beach umbrella or in the shade of a gazebo. If you are worried that you will leave without a tan, then in vain, because the tan will find you here too.
• Pay special attention to the temperature outside. If the thermometer is above + 30 ºС, then it is better not to go to the beach under the scorching sun. It is better to sunbathe in the morning and evening, but from 11 to 15 it is better to refrain from resting in the sun. Because you can get sunburn and heat stroke.
• If you are going to relax on a pebble beach, do not forget that the pebbles get very hot in the sun, so take a mat or blanket with you, or better yet, a sun lounger.
• Don't go to the beach right after lunch or on an empty stomach. This will negatively affect your well-being under the scorching sun rays.
• When you go to the beach or to relax in the sun, wear light, loose clothing that does not restrict your movements and is breathable. Don't forget about a hat and sunglasses.
• If you sunbathe and swim, remember that ultraviolet radiation is just as active in water as it is on land, so don't overdo it with sun exposure.
• Drink more water, this will protect your body from dehydration. Use hygienic lipstick, it will help prevent dry lips and cracks.

Remember that failure to follow safety rules for tanning during pregnancy can cause many complications. Long exposure to the sun can cause uterine bleeding, fainting, heat stroke, and cause pigment spots on the body and face of the pregnant woman.

Tanning in early pregnancy

Tanning in early pregnancy is possible, but, as in the second and third trimesters, it requires compliance with safe tanning rules.

When tanning in early pregnancy, it is necessary to:

1. Gradually begin to sunbathe, without overdoing it with sunbathing. Half an hour is enough, gradually the time can be increased.
2. In the early stages of pregnancy, you should sunbathe before 11 am and after 6 pm.
3. Don't forget about sunscreen, which will protect you and your baby from ultraviolet radiation.

Do not sit out in the sun for too long, as tanning in early pregnancy can result in heat stroke. If you do get heat stroke, drinking plenty of fluids, staying in bed, and be sure to consult a gynecologist will help relieve the symptoms and not harm your future baby.

Instant tanning during pregnancy

Many mothers use instant tanning during pregnancy and do not worry about the consequences. But is it possible to use instant tanning during pregnancy or can it harm the health of the future baby?

For instant tanning, self-tanning cream is used, which gives the skin a golden, tanned color, like a natural, natural tan. The thing is that when using instant tanning cream, you expose your skin to dihydroxyacetone, which penetrates the bloodstream through the skin. Using this cream during pregnancy theoretically exposes the baby to danger, since the placental barrier is not an obstacle to harmful substances getting to the baby through the bloodstream.

There is no exact data on the effect of instant tanning during pregnancy. Since there have been no studies yet that would confirm the harm of self-tanning on a growing organism. Remember that many doctors do not approve of the use of instant tanning products during pregnancy. Therefore, think carefully before causing potential danger to the future baby.

Sunscreen during pregnancy

Sunscreen during pregnancy helps protect your body and your future baby from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. When going to the beach, don't forget to choose the right sunscreen. A good sunscreen should create a tan but block harmful solar radiation. For pregnant women, sunscreen should have the highest protection level.

Sunscreen creams are easily washed off with water, so do not forget to apply the product after swimming. By the way, before going to the beach, the cream should be applied 20 minutes before sunbathing. When choosing and buying sunscreen, special attention should be paid to the SPF index. SPF is a factor of protection from solar radiation. The choice of SPF depends on the type of skin and the area where you plan to sunbathe. Remember that SPF shows how many times you can increase the time spent in the sun using a spray or sunscreen.

Pregnant women should know that before applying sunscreen, they need to do a skin test. Due to hormonal changes in the body of a pregnant woman, an allergic reaction may occur even to a product that was well absorbed by the body before pregnancy. Do not forget that after using sunscreen, after prolonged exposure to the sun, it is necessary to apply an after-sun cream to the skin. An after-sun cream will help fix the beautiful chocolate shade of the tan on the skin and prevent the appearance of pigment spots.

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Tanning during pregnancy in a solarium

Tanning during pregnancy in a solarium is another way to get tanned skin quickly, using artificial ultraviolet radiation. When tanning in a solarium during pregnancy, it should be remembered that there have been no studies yet that would prove the harm or benefit of a solarium on the body and the future baby.

Doctors cannot answer the question of whether it is possible to sunbathe in a solarium during pregnancy, but they do not recommend this procedure. Artificial tanning is safer than natural tanning, as it prevents the possibility of overheating, but this does not exclude a number of other problems and complications.

Tanning during pregnancy in a solarium has a number of rules:

• The session should not last longer than 20 minutes.
• It is strictly forbidden to visit a solarium if, in addition to pregnancy, you have diseases such as diabetes, thyroid disorders and mastopathy.
• Do not sunbathe naked, cover sensitive areas of the body.
• During the session, use special glasses, as tanning in a solarium without them can lead to retinal burns.
• Before starting a tanning session in a solarium, be sure to wash off any makeup and do not use perfume, as this may cause allergic reactions.

Tanning in a solarium during pregnancy can cause pigment spots to appear due to hormonal changes in the body. Also, during pregnancy, it is easy to overheat in a solarium, so control the time you spend in the solarium if you decide to get an artificial tan during pregnancy.

Instant tanning during pregnancy - reviews and comments

Before deciding on instant tanning during pregnancy, every mother should read the reviews of those who have decided on this procedure.

It is difficult to get an instant tan during pregnancy, as there is a risk of complications and the development of diseases. Tanning can cause termination of pregnancy, that is, miscarriage, provoke bleeding or become a threat of premature rupture of membranes.

Instant tanning during pregnancy, reviews from expectant mothers:

Olga, 24 – “Instant tanning, a great procedure that in a couple of minutes gives your skin the color of a month’s vacation at sea in the sun.”

Before pregnancy, I used instant tanning services, went to a solarium and used self-tanning creams. I tried the procedure during pregnancy. The only drawback was that I had to wait 8 hours after the procedure before washing, as the salon warned that the tan could fade.

Irina, 32 – “Spray tanning is the most inappropriate procedure during pregnancy.”

I did not find any advantages of instant tanning, because immediately after the procedure, all the artificial tan was on my clothes. In addition, the tan did not fade evenly. Just imagine, my back is white, and my hands and ankles are tanned. Once again I was convinced that pregnancy is not the time for experiments.

Tatyana, 40 - “I was afraid, but I decided to do it anyway.”

I decided to get a tan during my third pregnancy and I didn't regret it. The tan was even, despite the fact that I have rather capricious skin and a natural tan doesn't last longer than two or three days. I'm happy with the procedure, the only drawback is that the price is too high.

Alexandra, 19 – “A safe way to be beautiful during pregnancy.”

As soon as I found out I was pregnant, I decided to take good care of myself. In the second trimester, I went to the solarium. I did 4 procedures for 15 minutes, and I was basically happy with the result. The only drawback was that after the last procedure, all the results remained on the sheets. The doctor explained this by hormonal imbalances.

Zhenya, 27 – “Artificial tanning during pregnancy is a waste of money”

Girls, future mothers, do not risk your health! Before the New Year, in the fifth month of pregnancy, I decided to become a mulatto, bought a tanning spray and regretted it very much. A friend who works as a cosmetologist applied the spray. After using the self-tanner, a small red rash appeared all over my body, which itched terribly. The result was terribly frightening, since I did not know how to treat this allergy, I had to wash my body with chamomile lotions. This helped get rid of the itching, and the paint gradually came off.

Whether you can sunbathe during pregnancy is up to you. But remember that you are not protected from the consequences that can be caused by artificial tanning or sun exposure. Take care of your health and the health of your baby, because you will always have time to sunbathe!

Be healthy!