Sun exposure during pregnancy

[BeenThereDoneThat74]

it may seem obvious, but not to my non-nurse friend, who is a sun worshipper. she is pregnant, and still worshipping!! aside from her own health, what can i say to her to convince her about the negative effects on the baby (i'm assuming there are some).

thanks

[Jolie, BSN]

I'd like to add another potential danger, albeit a longer-term one. Melanoma. At the ripe-old age of 31, and holding my long-awaited newborn daughter in my arms, I was diagnosed with a Level IV melanoma. What was once a disease of old age has become commonplace in young people because of inappropriate sun exposure. 25% of all melanoma patients are women in their child-bearing years. And when melanoma is diagnosed during or shortly after pregnancy, it is typically more advanced (and less treatable) than in non-pregnant patients. Research hasn't shown exactly why that is, whether hormones accelerate its growth, or whether pregnant women are simply less likely to notice skin changes. But the message is clear. Everyone must protect their skin, and especially the skin of their young children. If she is sunbathing now, I fear that she will continue to do so after the baby is born, and subject her precious baby's tender skin to the sun. Nothing makes me want to cry more than a little tot with a tan.

OK, I'll step down from my soapbox now.

[BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN]

i'd like to add another potential danger, albeit a longer-term one. melanoma. at the ripe-old age of 31, and holding my long-awaited newborn daughter in my arms, i was diagnosed with a level iv melanoma. what was once a disease of old age has become commonplace in young people because of inappropriate sun exposure. 25% of all melanoma patients are women in their child-bearing years. and when melanoma is diagnosed during or shortly after pregnancy, it is typically more advanced (and less treatable) than in non-pregnant patients. research hasn't shown exactly why that is, whether hormones accelerate its growth, or whether pregnant women are simply less likely to notice skin changes. but the message is clear. everyone must protect their skin, and especially the skin of their young children. if she is sunbathing now, i fear that she will continue to do so after the baby is born, and subject her precious baby's tender skin to the sun. nothing makes me want to cry more than a little tot with a tan.

ok, i'll step down from my soapbox now.

wow, i'm so sorry . your story should be a lesson to everyone, young or old, pregnant or not. but how do you convince someone that they are endangering themselves? i think it's different than smoking, drinking or even eating. our society is still obsessed with being tan. it is associated with looking 'healthy'. well if that's the case, i am th sickliest looking person out there. if i purposely go out in the sun, i burn. i always have, and i've finally accepted it. and people always tell me (and other paleys) to be careful in the sun. i know my limits. sure a little color looks good, but it's just not worth it.

as far as my friend, i know she will have her baby in the sun too. her husband is hispanic, so the baby will likely have a little 'color' to him (or her). so she will feel it's okay to expose the baby. is this not a common misconception, that only pale people get skin cancer??

[SmilingBluEyes]

And here, from MSN, we have a timely article about the exact subject you brought up:

"Self-tanning lotions and tanning beds during pregnancy"......check the link fo the whole story....

http://family.msn.com/tool/article.aspx?dept=baby&sdept=bpc&name=bc_062504_tanning&signup=bc&offer=1&GT1=6545

Summing it up NO, it is NOT safe, as we already said. It touches on a point none of us discussed thus far, supine hypotension often occuring with laying on one's back to tan. It also discusses the rise body temps being hazardous. And to appeal to her vanity, it discusses how the sun exacerbates Cholasma (skin darkening/discoloration associated with pregnancy that is NOT attractive)---another point we did not mention here.

This article IS something you can send your friend, if you feel so-inclined---maybe she will then reconsider things, reading it for herself......

Good luck convincing her the damage she is doing is not worth it!

[BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN]

And to appeal to her vanity, it discusses how the sun exacerbates Cholasma (skin darkening/discoloration associated with pregnancy that is NOT attractive)---another point we did not mention here.

This article IS something you can send your friend, if you feel so-inclined---maybe she will then reconsider things, reading it for herself......

Good luck convincing her the damage she is doing is not worth it!

Funny you mention the cholasma thing, because as she is looking extra dark these days, she is trying to convince us that it is probably due to the hormones. Problem is, I don't think she finds it unattractive...yet. She's my friend, but she's too much into herself (boy is she in for a rude awakening when she discovers it's not all about her anymore)

[SmilingBluEyes]

Well she won't be a happy camper when she is 40 or 50. She will likely do the same thing so many others who did not care for themselves do: seek the medical solution to her "new" problems of age spots, wrinkles and fallen skin. Too bad.

[butterflybaby]

I have a question regarding this issue.

I am 27 weeks pregnant and over the weekend I sat in the sun (fully clothed - it is winter here in RSA now) for about half an hour. I started feeling hot and sweaty and then moved out of the sun. I also had a glass of cold water in an attempt to cool down. I am just worried that the rise in my body temperature might have affected the baby in any way?

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

As this thread was begun five years ago, and since we cannot give out medical advice, I am closing this. We encourage you to seek the advice of your midwife or doctor for guidelines regarding sun exposure during pregnancy. Thank you.