hey, Havent been on a sunbed since i found out i was pregnant but finding it sooo hard staying off them. Was thinking today i cant actually remember anyone telling me that the odd 5 minutes was dangerous also couldnt find anything in books about this? Anyone still tanning?? xxxxx

If you don't want to risk it why dont you just fake tan it, least u know u can't do any harm there!

Sunbeds are unsafe fullstop. Pregnant or not pregnant. Like said above, why not fake bake it?

ive never read its dangerouse to baby but i do know skin is more sensitive than usual. If you use a sunbed when youre pregnant, your skin might be more likely to burn and go patchy.

i would just sooner be pale sunbeds have never agreeds with me anyway i dont tan well hehe.

I would ask your midwife/doctor about this one... sunbeds aren't really good for you even not pregnant so I can't imagine they would be good for you while pregnant but I could be wrong...

Is it safe to sunbathe or use a sunbed during pregnancy?

Many experts advise that getting a tan - whether in a salon or in the sun - is not a good idea whether you're pregnant or not. A tan is your skin's attempt to protect itself from the damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation; there is evidence that prolonged exposure to UV rays exacerbates the effects of ageing and also increases the risk of developing a malignant melanoma (skin cancer).

Many women find during pregnancy that their skin is more sensitive and that they are much more susceptible to sunburn. If this applies to you, be liberal in your use of sunscreen and avoid the sun where possible. In pregnancy, levels of melanocyte-stimulating hormone are higher in the body, and this makes pregnant women prone to excessive skin pigmentation. If you get chloasma (the irregular dark patches on facial skin called the "mask of pregnancy"), it can be a sign that your skin will react more strongly to sunlight than usual, so take more care. The chloasma may be increased if you sunbathe or use a sunbed. In addition, lying in the hot sun for hours on end increases the risk of overheating and dehydration - neither of which are good for you or your developing baby.

Regular use of tanning beds is a fairly recent trend and there is little research on their effects in pregnancy. Also, no definitive studies have been carried out about how exposure either to sunlight or to artificial ultraviolet rays affects a developing baby. Some preliminary studies suggest there may be a possible link between exposure to ultraviolet rays and folic acid deficiency. This is because folic acid can be broken down by strong sunlight. In the first few weeks of pregnancy, high levels of folic acid help protect against neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, in the developing baby. While further studies have yet to be done, these initial studies suggest that intense or prolonged exposure to UV light should be avoided around the time of conception and in early pregnancy. After the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, all the developing baby's major organs have been formed and any risks are reduced.

So don't worry if you spend a peaceful afternoon in the sun - as long as you guard against overheating - but you may want to avoid tanning beds until more evidence is available, simply because we can't be certain that there is no risk. If you have a skin problem that responds well to controlled light treatment, ask for a referral to a dermatology department so that your treatment can be properly controlled to keep any damaging effects to a minimum.

If you desperately want to be brown, the current medical opinion seems to be that it's much safer to use fake tanning lotions - and much easier as well! If you decide to take this option, do a patch test first, even if it's a lotion you have used before. Your skin may be more sensitive during pregnancy and therefore more prone to irritation than usual.

my husband uses one and i just sit and keep him company its safe according to what i read (besides mabe gettin cancer) but when ur prego your skin is stretched so its probally not a good idea

Think maybe its best to wait only have 9weeks to go...a small price to pay for a healthy buba! Thanks for advice xx

my doctor and my bestie's midwife have both given us the go-ahead, but not for a long time, i went for 3 mins and then another 3 mins and so on lol but it depends on the doctor or midwife or even website or salon you find...everything is different but it is probably because ther hasnt been a whole lot of research on this subject...now with that being said i tanned all through my firstpregnancy i didnt even know i was preggo so i wasnt taking full precautions and she is a perfectly healthy 6 year old......
i dont want you ladies on here to think i am a bad mom so i will also say that it is up to you if you are questioning yourself on it than probably dont do it..............
if you only have 9 weeks left then no sense in trying something you are unsure of mind as well just wait right?

I can't beleive any doctors give the go ahead to use a sunbed even if not pregnant - they're proven to cause many health issues not least skin cancer.

I'm a very pale person but would rather be pale than sick.

Try a bottle or a salon treatment inf you feel you need some colour but please don't risk your health.