Tanning while pregnant...insight wanted!

CMF63130

Before taking other's advice or ruling something out that makes you feel better, Ask your doctor! I did, and he said as long as I wasn?t in there sweating, and that?s with ANY in the sun activity, its fine.  I go about once every two weeks or so, mainly because I?m lazy now and only about 10 mins a session. 

agerasimou

Pokedot:

agerasimou:

I'm sure I'll hear a lot of "crap" for this but...

I've done so much research, spoken to my doctor, other women, and thought a lot about it...

Being pregnant changes your body is so many ways, mostly beautiful but I have always felt better being fit and TAN! I am 17 weeks pregnant and tan about 2-3 times a week. I have psoriasis and I tanned quite a bit before I was pregnant because it really helped my skin. I ONLY go in level 5 beds (UVA beds) for abour 4-6 minutes per time. The beds have an air conditioner in them. It doesn't raise your body temperature. It's like taking a hot shower for 5 minutes.

I get that tanning in a tanning bed has risks of cancer but so does walking outside. Going in a tanning bed for 5 minutes is the same as taking a walk outside in the sun for 30 minutes. So explain to me how tanning in a booth is worse? MANY women take walks while their pregnant, in the sun, but they aren't damaging their skin at all? That doesn't make sense.

I say, if you speak with your doctor and she/clears you, do what's best for you. Every pregnancy and body is different.

Wow! Thank you for being kind about this! I feel like I'm being completely attacked for something many woman do when not pregnant. I won't be tanning in the bed during pregnancy like I stated I just wanted an opinion on what others have heard about it!

I like how someone questioned my ability to be a parent. To be honest that hurts very much! I will be a great parent...I really thought that this board was a way to get information, show sympathy and empathy but above all support one another!  So thank you for your support! You choose what you would like to do while pregnant and I will also!

 

I do think it's necessary for everyone to be supportive. You clearly weren't looking for backlash. Although I got some. I stand up for myself and I'm glad you did too.

 

jwill4

I think it is fair to ask questions and am sorry you may feel attacked but for me there is such an obvious answer that it can be frustrating that people still ask it.  Even though there is the risk of getting cancer from just walking outside (which is a much smaller risk than a tanning bed) I don't understand why people increase their risk by tanning in a bed for such small reasons.  What I would think of is my kid's future.  Sure there are people that tan and don't get cancer but is the risk worth it? People always belittle the tanning they do...even if you do only go a few times a week for a short amount of time, that is not a risk I am willing to take..not only for myself but for my baby and family.  This video will hopefully help make your decision...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4jgUcxMezM 

Start watching at 2:50 and that is what you should be thinking of when you go tanning.  Good luck with your decision.  Hopefully the warmer weather will get there soon and help you out!

jwill4

agerasimou:

If you want to do some research, there have been NO studies that have said tanning can hurt your baby. That is what my doctor was saying..She doesn't condone tanning in a booth for non-pregnant people but people are going to do what they want. I've never in my life smoked and I take care of my body. I eat great, work out regurlarly and am happy with the way I look at 4 1/2 months pregnant. I think child birth is going to be much easier because I stay fit.

Now, I know many people who have NEVER stepped foot into a tanning booth, always wear sunscreen, and still have unfortunately been diagnosed with skin cancer. It is a horrible disease and like other cancers, can happen to anyone. Does that mean I should live my life worrying about getting cancer? (any kind for that matter)

I can promise you, my feelings of being fit (and probably being tan) will not go away. I am thankful I am one of those people who has the endurance to keep my body fit. I want to be healthy. I'm sure there are many women who unfortunately when they're pregnant, eat too much, don't work out and then now they are at risk for diabetes. Which is a disease and can lead to much worse diseases...should they be being scolded about their choices to eat too much?

 There are just many ways to look at this, and I think we should all do some research before we speak.

The part that I have a hard time understanding is that tanning in a tanning bed does not go hand in hand with living a healthy lifestyle just like obesity, smoking, etc. do not go with living a healthy lifestyle.  The fact that you are healthy in other ways does not lower your chance of getting skin cancer. 

Yes people can get cancer from just being outside but you double your risk by tanning in a tanning bed as well.  So if there is natural risk of getting skin cancer from just being outside why double your odds?  Yes you may know people who have skin cancer and took precautions but the fact is that the majority of people with skin cancer do not take those precautions.  You may not change your attitude about tanning in the near future but I know many people who deeply regret the decisions they made when they were younger regarding skin care (myself being one of them). I don't understand why people take on more risks especially when you have people around that would much rather you have pale skin or tan skin from sunless tanners than have melanoma.  

I do agree though that there probably is no huge risk for the baby if you aren't overheating.   

chizekgeena

agerasimou:

I'm sure I'll hear a lot of "crap" for this but...

I've done so much research, spoken to my doctor, other women, and thought a lot about it...

Being pregnant changes your body is so many ways, mostly beautiful but I have always felt better being fit and TAN! I am 17 weeks pregnant and tan about 2-3 times a week. I have psoriasis and I tanned quite a bit before I was pregnant because it really helped my skin. I ONLY go in level 5 beds (UVA beds) for abour 4-6 minutes per time. The beds have an air conditioner in them. It doesn't raise your body temperature. It's like taking a hot shower for 5 minutes.

I get that tanning in a tanning bed has risks of cancer but so does walking outside. Going in a tanning bed for 5 minutes is the same as taking a walk outside in the sun for 30 minutes. So explain to me how tanning in a booth is worse? MANY women take walks while their pregnant, in the sun, but they aren't damaging their skin at all? That doesn't make sense.

I say, if you speak with your doctor and she/clears you, do what's best for you. Every pregnancy and body is different.

 

My husband suffers from pretty severe psoriasis and he too has to do "light box treatments" which is essentially being in a tanning bed. It helps his psoriasis a lot and he gets a tan while doing it (obviously not his intention) but his dermatologist watches his skin closely and he is monitored.