Tanning Beds During Pregnancy:
Use With Caution
Tanning beds during pregnancy has its risks for many different reasons. Even if you have been using tanning beds for a long time, this may be the time to stop. If, however, you are determined to go to a tanning bed while pregnant, use with caution! They may affect the health of your baby if you are not careful.
Tanning Beds During Pregnancy Rules:
- Do not use the tanning beds that require you to lie on your back. It is generally recommended that you not lie on your back for prolonged periods of time during the second and third trimesters. The blood supply to the heart and fetus can be restricted when lying on your back, which is dangerous for both you and baby.
- If you start to feel overheated, get out immediately! The dangerous thing about tanning beds is that you can get really hot without realizing just how hot you actually are. Getting overheated may harm your baby, because it has a possible link to spinal malformations.
- Take a bottle of water with you. To avoid dehydration in case you do start to get overheated, take a water bottle with you. Dehydration can be dangerous to the baby as well, as your fluid needs are even higher than usual to keep up with the increased fluids in your body.
- Go as infrequently as possible. For some, visiting the tanning bed becomes a sort of addiction. The truth is, many studies have shown an increased risk for skin cancer with use of tanning beds or too much time in the sun. If you are going to go, be wise and do not “overdo” it.
- Remember that even if you are not tan, you are beautiful. If you decide to stop going because of the risks associated with tanning, remember that you are beautiful just because you are pregnant. Pregnancy is a beautiful thing because you have a human life growing inside of you. When other people see you, they do not see how tan you are. They see a beautiful expectant mother!
If you do opt to skip the tanning bed, you may consider using
sunless tanning lotions.
Before using them, be sure to talk with your physician. Your physician may recommend that you wait until the second trimester, because of certain chemicals in the lotions.There are many risks associated with using tanning beds during pregnancy, but if you decide to use them, be smart by following these safe guidelines.
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