sunbathing when pregnant

[Miffster]

Is it ok? I'm 16 weeks pg & loving the sun at the moment, have just come in for a breather as it's gone over 90 in my back yard.

Am drinking cool water & herbal tea constantly, wearing factor 30, wearing a shady hat and going in for a break when I feel hot. Thing is, when other people feel too hot, I can go for ages lying in the sun with a good book, provided I have a hat and a cool drink.

Have just looked on google and scared myself - there's all this advice about 'staying out of the sun between 11am and 3pm', and 'your skin is much more sensitive when pregnant' and 'do not let your core temperature rise'.

My body seems happy though, so should I trust the evidence of my senses or pregnancy advice websites?

as long as you're using suncream/wearing a hat, not getting overly hot and drinking plenty then you should be fine. YOu're taking sensible precautions.

If it was too much you'd begin to feel sick/dizzy/faint - if you do go inside, drink and cool down but as long as you don't then it should be fine.

I would have said the main thing is not letting your core temp rise. That's why they advise women not to go in jacuzzis when pregnant; the constant hot temp of the water, can increase blood pressure and that's obviously not good in pregnancy.

I would just sit in the shade when I can and make sure you drink lots.

If you'd feel too hot, you won't be too hot. You do need to move inside before you get to the sick/dizzy/faint stage - heatstroke can have serious consequences when pregnant.

Obviously, if you're not going pink, your skin is fine!

Thanks - have low BP so hopefully that will be ok. Think I'll go by how I feel - if I feel faint or hot or tired or whatever it's obviously time to stop sunbathing and seek shade, otherwise I will continue to enjoy lolling in full sun and going brown. I feel much better when I have a golden tan, especially as I have been all tired and washed out looking for ages. And at least sunbathing means I am sitting still and relaxing instead of rushing about doing chores!

Ok if your tummy is covered I should think.

Your're very brave though! I can't stand sunbathing at the best of times.

Oh - should my tummy be covered? But surely that would just make me hot?

Am in a tiny string bikini, shades and a straw hat, with factor 30 and a bottle of iced Evian and happy as anything!

You are wearing suncream yes?

^^ Factor 30, yes, hat, yes, bikini, shades.

cool then. Enjoy it.

Luciemule,

I agree with your advice, but sauna/hot tubs LOWER your blood pressure, not raise it!

The heat causes the blood vessels to dilate, and the risk is you could faint and drown if no one else was there, or injure your self by falling on the tiled floor. It's more of a risk in later pregnancy.

In theory, early in pregnancy, raising the body core temp could cause deformity in the fetus, but in practice, it's very difficult to raise your core temp by enough to do this - even intense exersise doesn't raise your core temp by much (though your skin can be very warm). The experiments that led to that bit of advice (don't overheat) were carried out on pregnant mice which were kept at very high temps all the time.

I'd say your sunbathing is fine if you are hydrated, taking care of your skin and coming inside when you feel you've had enough.

If you're not burning or feeling physically hot, you'll be fine I think. Some people burn easier when pregnant so have to be really careful but it sounds like you're being sensible about it anyway. I get too hot after 15 minutes in the sun now, but when I do I get very uncomfortable - I can't miss it! If you feel fine, you probably aren't raising your core temp.

Yes - sorry, I did mean not good if you HAVE high BP.

Don't think there's any problem providing you take the usual precautions with suncream etc. I sunbathed regularly during pregancy without any ill effects - not that that makes it right.

im very jealous. Would love to be out there enjoying the sunshine. I'm only 13 weeks but feeling the heat terribly, constantly trying to stay cool.
Enjoy the sunshine

Enjoy!

The sun's the only thing that seems to help my copious pregnancy spots, SO looking forward to getting out in it again over the weekend.