views on sunbed use during pregnancy!!

[1009]

I am very interested on peoples views on sunbed use during pregnancy .

I do not use sunbeds nor do I intend to during my pregnancy but I would like to know everyones view on this

x

 

[Zazu]

I wouldn't use one anyway, never mind when pregnant, as your risk of skin cancer is a lot higher than with natural sun. Fake tan all the way xx

 

[Kelly450]

I'd not get one anyway, so certainly not when pregnant. I would hope pregnant ladies wouldn't consider it

 

[Nikki1985]

I use the sunbed as normal (about 9 minutes once a month). I very much doubt a set of lightbulbs can cause any harm, I read a number of medical posts where doctors advised not to use them purely because the mothers skin is more sensitive and not because it can harm the fetus.

I used them throughout my first pregnancy and my son is absolutely fine. The light rays can only penetrate the surface of the skin, your baby is a good few inches below the surface through tummy muscles, fat, amniotic fluid and planenta

 

[Libbygrace]

I do use them usually but wouldn't even consider it now I'm pregnant if I needed a tan I wild just use fake tan xx

 

[scn]

I read it's best avoided due to the rise in body temperature they can cause, in the same way as you shouldn't have hot baths or sauna's.

 

[Titch85]

I use the sunbed as normal (about 9 minutes once a month). I very much doubt a set of lightbulbs can cause any harm, I read a number of medical posts where doctors advised not to use them purely because the mothers skin is more sensitive and not because it can harm the fetus.

I used them throughout my first pregnancy and my son is absolutely fine. The light rays can only penetrate the surface of the skin, your baby is a good few inches below the surface through tummy muscles, fat, amniotic fluid and planenta

No just a cancer risk?!

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/852.aspx?CategoryID=87

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/a...nning-machines-higher-previously-thought.html

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/can...-17-sunbeds-double-strength-mediterranean-sun

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/956.aspx?CategoryID=54&SubCategoryID=131

 

[katieelisexo]

I wouldn't even get a spray tan at the moment - no other reason but my skin is ultra sensitive right now (cannot even use certain perfumes or scented moisturisers!)

But I have to agree with Titch, they're not just a "set of lightbulbs" - they're a high concentrated UV light which is what causes skin cancer.

 

[Nikki1985]

I read that fake tan couldn't be used during pregnancy too.

And you shouldnt eat hot dog, or shellfish, or liver, or blue cheese (when was the last time you heard of someone getting food poisoning from a piece of Stilton?????) you shouldnt smoke, you shouldnt drink, you shouldn't have hot baths, you shouldn't use a jacuzzi, you shouldnt use a sunbed.... deary me.

I'm sorry ladies I don't mean to sound like a cow and I appreciate that many of you are pregnant after a lot of hoping and trying, but just go with what feels right to you. If you don't feel comfortable using a sunbed, dont use one. If you don't feel comfortable colouring your hair/using fake tan/breathing without an air filter then don't do it - but don't criticise other people who don't wish to live their life like they are the only person who ever had a baby in the history of humanity

 

[Dax]

I'd only use one if I wanted to do fancy dress as a lobster (natural pale gail) but no, wouldn't consider it whilst pregnant even if I was an avid user! I'm not condemning anyone that does, it's all personal choice just like women that carry on drinking or smoking - I don't want to just in case there is a risk (plus I'm not really a 'one drink' person )

I just use fake tan when I feel like it but avoid my bump - just in case it does go through my skin and I give birth to an oompa loompa x

 

[Pregnot]

aww Nikki nobody is criticising your use of a sunbed - you as each and very one of us is free to do as you please but I think it may have been your rather naive comment that ...
'I very much doubt a set of light bulbs can cause any harm' that has been picked up on

Especially as that set of lightbulbs has been linked to certain cancers hence a legal age limits applied to use such equipment.

Personally I wouldn't use a sunbed even if I wasn't pregnant - I have red hair and pale as hell skin but I'm not
Overly concerned with looking tanned so it wouldn't bother me.
If someone pregnant wanted I use one then its their choice as long as they are fully aware of the risks to oneself

 

[katieelisexo]

I read that fake tan couldn't be used during pregnancy too.

And you shouldnt eat hot dog, or shellfish, or liver, or blue cheese (when was the last time you heard of someone getting food poisoning from a piece of Stilton?????) you shouldnt smoke, you shouldnt drink, you shouldn't have hot baths, you shouldn't use a jacuzzi, you shouldnt use a sunbed.... deary me.

I'm sorry ladies I don't mean to sound like a cow and I appreciate that many of you are pregnant after a lot of hoping and trying, but just go with what feels right to you. If you don't feel comfortable using a sunbed, dont use one. If you don't feel comfortable colouring your hair/using fake tan/breathing without an air filter then don't do it - but don't criticise other people who don't wish to live their life like they are the only person who ever had a baby in the history of humanity

I actually agree with the majority of the things you're saying - we'd have to wrap ourselves in bubble wrap and never leave our houses for 9 months if we were cautious over everything "experts" advise. But, people worry, people have questions and that's what this forum is for! If you're gonna answer with a controversial answer, expect people to question it! xx

 

[Lauren84]

I definitely wouldn't use a sunbed while pregnant. I have used them in the past but wouldn't now I'm pregnant.

 

[Nikki1985]

If people don't want to use a sunbed that's fine, but comments such as 'I would hope pregnant ladies wouldn't consider it' is a very judgemental statement to make. I'm not saying sunbeds aren't harmful, they clearly are - there is irrefutable evidence that they can cause skin cancer, however I don't believe that the rays from sunbed blubs penetrate through your skin, tissue, abdominal muscles, more tissue, placentic and amniotic fluid - I don't consider the risk to a pregnant person to be any more/less than a non pregnant person. The potential harm is to be skin of the mother, not to the fetus - thus the fact you are pregnant is irrelevant.

Titch, all of the links to articles you have posted above are irrelevant to pregnancy. There isn't any evidence whatsoever that a fetus is at risk of sunbed rays - all the articles you have quoted talk about skin cancer in ANYBODY, in fact the NHS article you posted clearly says that ther eis no evidence it can harm your baby. I already know the risks of sunbed use, just like I already know the risks of smoking but choose to do it anyway (pre-pregnancy), and I'm not refuting that sunbeds are harmful but as a fully consenting adult I consent to taking that risk. I am refuting the concensus that your fetus is put at risk by a sunbed.

In fact, after 6 months in the UK with no sun, and freezing cold, I dare say the Vitamin D from a sunbed (which midwives actually prescribe as a supplement) may even be good for the baby

 

[Titch85]

If people don't want to use a sunbed that's fine, but comments such as 'I would hope pregnant ladies wouldn't consider it' is a very judgemental statement to make. I'm not saying sunbeds aren't harmful, they clearly are - there is irrefutable evidence that they can cause skin cancer, however I don't believe that the rays from sunbed blubs penetrate through your skin, tissue, abdominal muscles, more tissue, placentic and amniotic fluid - I don't consider the risk to a pregnant person to be any more/less than a non pregnant person. The potential harm is to be skin of the mother, not to the fetus - thus the fact you are pregnant is irrelevant.

Titch, all of the links to articles you have posted above are irrelevant to pregnancy. There isn't any evidence whatsoever that a fetus is at risk of sunbed rays - all the articles you have quoted talk about skin cancer in ANYBODY, in fact the NHS article you posted clearly says that ther eis no evidence it can harm your baby. I already know the risks of sunbed use, just like I already know the risks of smoking but choose to do it anyway (pre-pregnancy), and I'm not refuting that sunbeds are harmful but as a fully consenting adult I consent to taking that risk. I am refuting the concensus that your fetus is put at risk by a sunbed.

In fact, after 6 months in the UK with no sun, and freezing cold, I dare say the Vitamin D from a sunbed (which midwives actually prescribe as a supplement) may even be good for the baby

I posted the links in response to your comment "I very much doubt a set of lightbulbs can cause any harm" which I took to mean you meant sunbeds in general. It may not cause harm to the baby (which I never said it did), but the risk of sunbeds full stop is not worth it in my opinion.

 

[tweetyfoo]

I think that the risk in pregnancy may be more linked to temperature, in the same way that hot baths are not recommended, due to evidence that it causes a risk to baby.

Thats not saying that ALL babies will be affected - but there is a risk that baby MAY be affected.

Also, the stilton isn't to do with mum getting food poisioning but to do with the bacteria reaching babies - again there is a risk that this can affect baby.

 

[Kelly450]

If people don't want to use a sunbed that's fine, but comments such as 'I would hope pregnant ladies wouldn't consider it' is a very judgemental statement to make. I'm not saying sunbeds aren't harmful, they clearly are - there is irrefutable evidence that they can cause skin cancer, however I don't believe that the rays from sunbed blubs penetrate through your skin, tissue, abdominal muscles, more tissue, placentic and amniotic fluid - I don't consider the risk to a pregnant person to be any more/less than a non pregnant person. The potential harm is to be skin of the mother, not to the fetus - thus the fact you are pregnant is irrelevant.

Titch, all of the links to articles you have posted above are irrelevant to pregnancy. There isn't any evidence whatsoever that a fetus is at risk of sunbed rays - all the articles you have quoted talk about skin cancer in ANYBODY, in fact the NHS article you posted clearly says that ther eis no evidence it can harm your baby. I already know the risks of sunbed use, just like I already know the risks of smoking but choose to do it anyway (pre-pregnancy), and I'm not refuting that sunbeds are harmful but as a fully consenting adult I consent to taking that risk. I am refuting the concensus that your fetus is put at risk by a sunbed.

In fact, after 6 months in the UK with no sun, and freezing cold, I dare say the Vitamin D from a sunbed (which midwives actually prescribe as a supplement) may even be good for the baby

As a matter of fact if my comment was to be judgmental i would be saying you are completely selfish for having a sun bed. I did not say that. So don't start.. Just because you use them and think everyone is targeting you because you do it. Just accept the fact that you use them, some other people use them and some people don't.

I AM ALLOWED to say that i would hope pregnant ladies wouldn't consider it. Just like i am allowed to say that i would hope that they wouldn't consider smoking, or drinking alcohol every day. But some people do. I do not at all see that as judgmental. I am not saying that if you do these things you are a bad mother!

 

[BevG]

you burn easier when pregnant as your skin becomes more sensetive too so tho you might use them normally the same length of time while preg might make you burn bad.

years ago mothers who didnt want their baby used to use gin and a very very hot bath to do the deed.
sometimes things that seem ok can cause bad things to happen and i for one couldnt take that risk with my baby. i can live without a tan, drink, fag or any specific foods that may pose a risk and not be devestated but if anything happened to my baby id be distraught and blame myself if id even risked it.

 

[redbear]

The list of things to be avoided isnt very hard, i mean do you need a sunbed when there are spray tans? Like i do without a drink and foods because they wouldnt tell you to avoid them just to make your life harder.

No one is saying the light will somehow go through your body to tan the baby but it can heat up the fluid to a level that is bad for the baby, like you have newborns baths warmish but you wouldnt dip them in really warm water, so why do it when your pregnant ifykwim?

Again its up to you, i am judgemental btw its in my nature i judge everyone on Jeremy kyle for example so to me it goes into the same group as pregnant women who drink, smoke, do drugs etc x

 

[SpinSugar]

Ok time to add my stupid comment. Does that mean no sunbathing either?!
I was looking forward to getting some colour on my legs when I'm on mat leave!

I used to use sunbeds, but stopped when Pg. Not due to 'safety' and the whole 'being precious' thing but cos it was pointless, I was hardly going out any more, hubby couldn't care less if I was tanned or not so I didn't want to waste my money lol

Xx