- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
September 2012 Moms
Pokedot
member
Tanning while pregnant...insight wanted!
Pokedot
member
Ok I'm a bit confused on the whole tanning while pregnant thing. About this time of year I tan a bit to get my mood in full swing! I have the seasonal disorder of depression so tanning helps a bit! I've heard you can't tan while pregnant in a tanning bed b/c of the temperature your body reaches. I've personallly noticed that the stand up "bed" does not make me really hot only the lay down one. Would I be crazy to do it? At the gym I belong to I have about 3 months worth of tanning just sitting there waiting for me to use and its killing me! ;P
Or an alternative...for those that use a pigmented lotion...what do you use? I'm so lazy I'm not sure I'd keep up with the stuff!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Tanning while pregnant...insight wanted!
Then when your baby is born you can put it in the microwave... I heard that was safe too.
As a skin cancer survivor, tanning is DUMB! I'd much rather be pale and wrinkle free.
Happily Married
The Plan Stan
Eat Well, Live Well, Be Well Blog
I wouldnt risk it. You cant "undo" any possible harm or damage to your baby. And I wouldnt put the "need" to be tan over the health of my child. There are other things you can do to "sun" like sit out in the actual sun, take some vitamin D if you truly are affected by SAD or use Jergens Natural Glow which is a good self tanner. Ask if you can put a freeze on your tans and explain why. I am sure they will understand
ETA: not to mention the possibility of getting skin cancer when you could have prevented it by not using a tanning bed is lame
The concern with tanning while pregnant seems to center around getting your temperature too high. This is, of course, in addition to the always present concern of skin cancer. If you plan to tan frequently, you might double check with your Dr. whether there are additional risks to baby from frequent tanning.
I don't have much advice about the pigmented lotion because chemicals weird me out. But many years ago I remember thinking that the St. Tropez self tanner looked nice.
Carina 12.28.2010 | Aurelia 9.23.12 | Chart - Round 3
Thirded.
If you have SAD, a friend of mine swears by her light box.
two years!
after two losses, now happily expecting baby #1 09.16.12
Brie Fit Blog | BFP Chart
2.0 is on the way! EDD: 2/24/15
I wouldn't use a tanning bed pre-pregnancy so nope, I wouldn't recommend it during either. But then I'm ginger and me and UV rays don't really get along on the best of days :P
In all seriousness, get outside, go for a walk, enjoy the fresh air and the spring sunshine, all are so much better and healthier for you than a tanning bed and there's no risk to your baby.
I tan in a bed but haven't since BFP. So I'm with ya on the comfort.
Like someone else said, I lay out in the sun and take in some rays with sunscreen on. From other friends, I know skin can become more sensitive while PG. It doesn't give you an instant-a-tan like the beds but its much safer way to get a little color.
Harper Grace 08.31.12 Sibling Expected 08.30.15
Aug 2015 - January Siggy Challenge - Fav mean girl from TV/Film
Ellie from CougarTown
Tanning beds are, IMO, terrible. I would never use one pregnant or not. I did in high school when I should have known better and regret it. I know too many people (even our age) with melanoma, cancerous moles, etc.
No way.
I used to be a tan-aholic. I love my bronze skin, but it's not worth it--preg or not preg.
And I seriously hope this is mud.
https://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.A212777.desc.tarte-Maracuja-SelfTanner-Application-Mitt
This is what I use. It's glorious and smells good.
I'm not going to attack you for suggesting going into a tanning bed, but I do think it's stupid. Skin cancer runs in my family and I'm pretty paranoid about being in the sun in general so it wouldn't be something to ever cross my mind. If you suffer from SAD, go and amp up your Vitamin D. My doc recommended me taking an extra 10,000mg once a week during pregnancy in addition to my PNV.
Nancy James 9.1.12
Calvin Donald 8.27.14
Yes, you would be crazy to get into a tanning bed while pregnant.
If you truly have SAD, go see a psychiatrist. He can probably tell you a healthy way to deal with this (like taking Vitamin D) rather than resorting to something that could potentially harm your baby. I can pretty much promise you, though, that he won't tell you to go lay or stand in a tanning bed.
It's okay to be pale for a few months...or, if you absolutely can't stand it, please at least find a self-tanner or spray tan that is safe during pregnancy...if such a beast even exists.
2011: FSH 13.3 & E 99; AMH 0.54 2nd FSH 6.2 E 40's AFC: 8
BFP from Clomid/IUI ~ Pre-e and IUGR during pregnancy ~ DS born 9/4/12
Feb./March 2013: AMH less than 0.16 (undectable) and AFC = 4;
BFP from supps ~ DS#2 due May 2014
May 2014 January Siggy Challenge:
I wouldn?t recommend a tanning bed, I cant bash it I used them pre-pregnancy but have been far away from them since! I know alot of ppl that just feel better about themselves when tan and if thats what helps you (I did discuss this with the Dr.) get a spray on tan, you look wonderful with out exposing your self and baby to the bed! I am lucky enough that we live by a lake and I can get outside and get some natural Vitamin-D but I did go get a spray on just because I like to have a lil summer glow!
create an animated gif
Dexter 08/31/2012~Summer 07/25/2011~Jack 10/21/2008~Aaron 08/12/2007
This. 100%
Big Kid Jan 2010
Littlest Man Sept 2012
Agreed. If you truly have SAD there are other ways to treat this kind of depression without using a tanning bed.
I guess I didn't fully explain it correctly. I live in Upper Michigan and around here its say 40 degrees for a high lately with a lovely 20 mph wind. I wasn't thinking of tanning to get crispy and dark. I was thinking of maybe 10 minutes 2 times a week.
I had not talked to my doctor about the option and had heard SEVERAL different answers through the grape vine on it. I came to you guys for insight to see what everyone thought. I would never put my needs above my unborn child. I'm trying to do everything right and follow it by the book.
Thanks for the insight. I will be avoiding the tanning bed but I will be catching a few rays in the sun with sunscreen when it warms up! I'm so ready for warm weather!
Considering UV radiation is the most prominent and universal cancer-causing agent in our environment and tanning beds have higher overall levels of UV than the sun on a typical day... what makes you think for one second that this would be a safe environment for pregnant woman?
As many PP have said, go take a freaking walk.
I break alot of the do not do while pregnant rules.. ive had more then a small cup of coffee a day, i enjoy a diet coke if i want it.. i even had cooked sushi last weekend (which i guess that aloud).. I eat coldcuts etc..
and even I would not go tanning.. Its killing me as i'm so pale..and we normally go to florida for christmas..but didnt go this yr ...
I would stay away
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.
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.
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 find this highly offensive since you have no idea my skills as a person or parent. I will be a great parent and NO my child will not be "tanning" with me! My thoughts came from a woman at the gym who was visibly pregnant and I saw her tanning each time I was there. I had heard conflicting views on this topic and figured since this is a pregnancy forum I would ask. When the weather does warm up around here I will be taking more walks and getting my vitamin D that way but thanks for the advice...err...I think!
It was relevant because you brought up the act of smoking...That's why I brought up other issues. There are so many risks people take in their lives...
I understand that a tan causes cancer. But, many of the women who commented brought up "going outside to take a walk"...as if that can't cause cancer? I know plenty of people who have worn sunscreen their whole life and still unfortunately got diagnosed with cancer... do you have an answer for that?
As for calling someone stupid, again, I believe everyone has a right to their own opinion. Everybody's pregnancies are different, I just don't see how giving someone advice to "go take a walk OUTSIDE" can "prevent" cancer...