Sunbathing every day. Have I caused damage?

[KatLP]

Hi ladies,

I’m looking for a little bit of advice. I have been on holiday for the last 10 days and have enjoyed sunbathing a lot throughout the day as I normally would pre pregnancy. It has been very hot. I have started to read and realise that sunbathing can cause your core temp to rise and I’m now so worried I’ve done terrible damage to the baby by overheating each day? I have a scan in a few days, could it show any damage? I am 21 weeks just now.

Thank you x

I thought it was more about exercise/exertion in hot weather, not lying by the pool? But yes a raised core temperature can be extremely dangerous to developing foetus.

www.verywellfamily.com/sunbathing-in-pregnancy-2753106

first of all, stop sunbathing - keep in the shade and don't get dehydrated.

mention it when you have your scan - but also don't worry too much.

We went to a hot country when I was pregnant. I sunbathed lots. DS is now 8 and absolutely fine.
Please don’t worry, I’d argue that will do more harm than having relaxed in the sun!

Also: “The NHS doesn't advise pregnant women not to sunbathe and there are no proven risks to an unborn baby from sunbathing. But you should be aware not to get sunburnt, dehydrated or overheat. ... The NHS website adds: “If you use a sunbed when you're pregnant, this means your skin may be more likely to burn.”

I'm on holiday and although I've been mostly in the shade I got a bit burned on my shoulders.... should I worry that I have burn?!

Sunbathing won’t really have raised you core temp unless you got sunstroke. Its more things like getting overheated to the point of being faint, sitting in a jacuzzi etc.
Lying and relaxing and being lovely and warm will have probably been doing you and the baby good. Honestly don’t worry. All that vitamin d would have been good for the baby.
Stressing about it will probably do more harm.

I think your fetus has gained more benefit from all that nice vitamin D the sunbathing produced, than it is likely to have suffered from being (fractionally) warmer than usual.
Your body is capable of regulating its core temp quite effectively in all but extreme conditions, and it’s likely you would have felt unwell and moved into the shade in such circumstances.
Pregnant women will always find sticks to beat themselves and things to worry about, but the vast majority are needless fears! Relax and enjoy the wait for your baby.

Sunbathing can sometimes cause Melasma after a few weeks, but that’s usually the worst of it.

The most likely damage is to you. Your skin is far more sensitive to sun when pregnant so you might find you tan quicker but can also burn a lot quicker.

Overheating is not advised. However as long as the ambient temperature isn’t extreme (40+) then overheating is unlikely.

Best wishes

Thank you so much for the response ladies, it has helped to calm me down. It’s such a worrying time pregnancy and you try so hard to do everything right. I appreciate everyone’s advice! Xxx

I did a lot of sunbathing in my garden towards the last two weeks of my first pregnancy. I was home alone with not much else to do and I love being in the sun! Baby was perfectly healthy and I’d asked my midwife who had said it was fine. I would speak to a midwife if you’re concerned to put your mind at rest.

I have a touch of melasma on my face which has never gone away and I’m a bit gutted about it but it’s not very noticeable and I wear make up a lot anyway: