There is no definitive evidence about whether tanning beds pose a risk to a pregnant mother or her unborn child. Because of the potential risk involved it would be considered unethical for any real studies to be done. So if you are someone who enjoys using tanning bed and is already or is planning to become pregnant, it is a good idea to educate yourself about the theoretical risks before deciding whether to continue using them until the baby is born.
The biggest concerns health experts have about the use of tanning beds during pregnancy relates to folic acid. A folic acid deficiency increases the risk of the foetus developing neural tube defects, particularly spina bifida, during the first trimester. It is known that UV rays can deplete the levels of folic acid in the body, but there are no studies into whether indoor tanning raises the risk of this or not. General pregnancy advice is for women to take a folic acid supplement before conception and to continue until the twelfth week to reduce the risk of birth defects, and this is especially good advice to follow if you are a tanning enthusiast. However, even if you are determined to carry on tanning throughout your pregnancy, it is probably best to err on the side of caution and avoid tanning beds altogether for the first three months.
A further reason why tanning beds are considered inadvisable during pregnancy is the theoretical risk of hyperthermia (severe over heating), which is linked to fetuses developing spinal defects. But the risk, if it exists at all, must be very small. Commercial tanning beds, by default, can only reach temperatures of 100 Fahrenheit and most people are sensible and keep the duration of their tanning session short. Hyperthermia occurs after extended exposure to temperatures of 102 Fahrenheit or more. So medical advice linking tanning beds to hyperthermia is purely precautionary.
One genuine problem that they can cause the mother to be is dehydration, which can cause dizziness and fainting. So if you intend to keep tanning throughout pregnancy it is important to drink plenty of fluids before each tanning session. Another problem to be aware of is that hormonal changes mean the skin of some pregnant women becomes photosensitive, meaning UV rays can trigger a skin problem.
Always speak to your family doctor and midwife if you are planning to use tanning beds while you are pregnant.
Source: ezinearticles
The biggest concerns health experts have about the use of tanning beds during pregnancy relates to folic acid. A folic acid deficiency increases the risk of the foetus developing neural tube defects, particularly spina bifida, during the first trimester. It is known that UV rays can deplete the levels of folic acid in the body, but there are no studies into whether indoor tanning raises the risk of this or not. General pregnancy advice is for women to take a folic acid supplement before conception and to continue until the twelfth week to reduce the risk of birth defects, and this is especially good advice to follow if you are a tanning enthusiast. However, even if you are determined to carry on tanning throughout your pregnancy, it is probably best to err on the side of caution and avoid tanning beds altogether for the first three months.
A further reason why tanning beds are considered inadvisable during pregnancy is the theoretical risk of hyperthermia (severe over heating), which is linked to fetuses developing spinal defects. But the risk, if it exists at all, must be very small. Commercial tanning beds, by default, can only reach temperatures of 100 Fahrenheit and most people are sensible and keep the duration of their tanning session short. Hyperthermia occurs after extended exposure to temperatures of 102 Fahrenheit or more. So medical advice linking tanning beds to hyperthermia is purely precautionary.
One genuine problem that they can cause the mother to be is dehydration, which can cause dizziness and fainting. So if you intend to keep tanning throughout pregnancy it is important to drink plenty of fluids before each tanning session. Another problem to be aware of is that hormonal changes mean the skin of some pregnant women becomes photosensitive, meaning UV rays can trigger a skin problem.
Always speak to your family doctor and midwife if you are planning to use tanning beds while you are pregnant.
Source: ezinearticles
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