Can I sunbathe during pregnancy?

Bearing a baby is not just a responsible, but also a difficult period when you need to take care of your body and take into account many nuances. Each pregnancy proceeds differently, very often chronic diseases worsen, and concomitant health problems arise. Even in the same woman, several pregnancies can be diametrically opposed. And if in difficult cases, doctors recommend taking more rest and walking, taking vitamins and not overloading physically and morally, then with a healthy and normal pregnancy there are simply no strict restrictions. That is, if you feel good, if all the tests are in order, nothing hurts or bothers, you can live life to the fullest - work, dance, tolerate moderate physical exertion, have sex - all this is safe. Well, if pregnancy occurred on hot summer days, then many expectant mothers want to swim in ponds and pools. And if swimming has a beneficial effect on the pregnant body, then exposure to ultraviolet rays is a dubious pleasure.

Why is tanning bad for a pregnant woman?

Among the people, and among some doctors, there is a clear opinion that a pregnant woman should not sunbathe. Of course, there is some truth in this. The fact is that during the period of carrying a baby in the body of a woman, hormonal changes occur, the level of estrogen rises, which unexpectedly responds to some external influences. The skin becomes more vulnerable, sensitive, irritable. Direct sunlight leads to increased production of melanin, pigmentation occurs on the face, abdomen, shoulders. Unfortunately, some of these spots later on their own do not go away, even after the birth of the baby. This is especially pronounced in owners of fair skin. That is why pregnant women should not sunbathe in the active solar phase. But at the same time, moderate and competent exposure to the sun can only bring benefits to the expectant mother. You can sunbathe during pregnancy, but you need to do this strictly in accordance with the following rules.

Rules for safe tanning for pregnant women

To get a rest not only pleasant, but also safe, you need to know about some of the nuances.

1. You can not be in direct sunlight, that is, it is optimal to sunbathe on the beach until 11 a.m. and after 4 p.m. Lying under the scorching dinner sun is strictly contraindicated! Not only the tan itself is dangerous, but also a high temperature - a sunstroke can occur, which during pregnancy harms the mother and baby in the womb. In the later stages of pregnancy, overheating of the body can provoke a premature birth.
2. While on the beach, be sure to observe the water regime - it will protect the future mother from overheating and dehydration. You need to drink every hour, at least half a liter of clean still water.
3. Be sure to use a tanning agent, preferably with a high SPF filter, the value of which is more than 50. Cosmetics can be presented in the form of milk, cream, but it is much more convenient to use sunscreen sprays. Apply a fresh layer of the product every 2-3 hours or after each bath.
4. Use funds not only from tanning, but also after it. As a rule, this emollient milk or gel, which soothes the affected epidermis, relieves redness, burning and pain.
5. If you just started your vacation, do not rush to get a bronze skin color on the first day of your vacation.Start sunbathing gradually, building up for half an hour a day.
6. On the beach, be sure to use sunglasses, a hat, umbrellas. Try to wear either closed swimsuits or special wraps that protect your pregnant belly from the sun and overheating.

These are simple rules for getting a tan, which all people must adhere to, and especially vulnerable organisms - children, the elderly, and, of course, pregnant women.

The benefits of tanning during pregnancy

If you tan correctly, observing all the above rules, then you can be calm - tanning is absolutely safe for you. Moreover, in moderate doses, ultraviolet has a beneficial effect on the body.

1. First of all, the sun contributes to the production of vitamin D, which is synthesized in the body under the influence of ultraviolet rays. A sufficient amount of vitamin D helps protect the baby from rickets in the future. In addition, a sufficient amount of this vitamin facilitates the process of calcium absorption, which is especially important in the second half of pregnancy, when the baby is actively growing and developing, and its skeletal system requires large maternal reserves.
2. A moderate amount of sunshine allows you to organize the work of the endocrine system, this improves the immunity of a woman who suffers quite seriously during pregnancy. This is especially true for residents of the northern regions who are unable to enjoy the natural sunlight.
3. It is proved that a lack of sun is able to affect the level of hemoglobin. If you have iron deficiency anemia, you need to not only lean on healthy foods, but also more often to be in the sun.

But most importantly, the sun perfectly raises the mood, improves the well-being of mother and child. Remember that not all pregnant women can safely enjoy the sun. Any diseases of the cardiovascular system are a contraindication to sunbathing, especially during pregnancy. This includes hypertension, tachycardia, ischemia and other disorders. You can not sunbathe with diabetes and other diseases of the endocrine system. Ultraviolet exposure during pregnancy is undesirable if there are dermatological diseases. With mastopathy and the threat of miscarriage, such rest should also be abandoned.

In addition, the question remains open - what about a tanning bed? Can I visit the instant tanning capsule during pregnancy? The answer depends on whether the woman did this before pregnancy. If the future mother previously visited the solarium, tolerated it well, then during pregnancy several procedures can be allowed. If you have not visited a solarium before, you should definitely not start during pregnancy - you do not know how your body will react. In addition, doctors agree that alpha and beta rays in a tanning bed wash out folic acid, which is so necessary for a pregnant woman in the early stages. Folic acid deficiency may be the cause of congenital abnormalities of the fetal nervous system. To take risks in this case or not is only your right and your personal choice.

Pregnancy is not a disease, but a special situation in which you should be more reverent and attentive to your body. And if you wear under the baby’s heart, you should not give up outdoor activities and sunbathing at all. The main thing is to sunbathe correctly and observe all safety measures!

Video: is it possible to sunbathe during pregnancy