When you are pregnant, you can still enjoy the time spent at the beach or the pool, but you need to be careful about how you do this.
There are some risks regarding exposure to the sun during pregnancy, which you have to take into account when you go on vacation to the sea or to the swimming pool in the city. The most important thing to remember is that prolonged exposure is dangerous for you, and the risks increase with time spent in the sun.
Why is exposure to the sun dangerous for pregnant women?
Pregnancy produces changes in the body, most of them hormonal. The increase in hormone levels leads to skin sensitivity, which increases the risk of getting sunburned.
Also, overloading the cells that produce pigments increases the risk of skin discoloration. So instead of having an even tan after exposure to the sun, you can end up with many hyperpigmentation spots and freckles.
Since pregnancy also produces changes in the immune system, it is very likely that sunburns will be felt much more intensely or occur much faster.
Another important aspect is the fact that exposure to the sun can be harmful to the development of the fetus. Ultraviolet rays can break down folic acid in the body, and this can affect the neurological development of the future baby, especially in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Pregnancy and sunburn
When you are pregnant, the sensitivity of the body, as well as the skin, is very high. That is why it is recommended to limit exposure to the sun as much as possible and to always use products that represent a barrier against ultraviolet rays: creams with a high protection factor, natural fiber materials and hats. In this way, you can limit the adverse effects of the sun on your body.
A sunburn during pregnancy affects not only you, but also the fetus. In general, sunburns are also accompanied by sunstroke or fever, and these two symptoms also affect the fetus, especially if they occur before the embryo is implanted. Even if exposure to the sun seems harmless, fever and sunstroke can lead to birth defects. Therefore, we recommend that you pay maximum attention to this aspect.
Pregnancy and dehydration
Prolonged exposure to the sun when you are pregnant can lead to dehydration much faster. Temperatures above 30 degrees can lead to the loss of a liter of water during pregnancy, in an interval of only 10 minutes.
Dehydration is particularly dangerous for pregnancy, because it can trigger the risk of premature labor or abortion. Equally, dehydration during pregnancy, after exposure to the sun, can increase the risk of fainting and dizziness.
How can you treat sunburn during pregnancy?
The pregnancy also implies a special attention regarding the treatment of sunburns. Maximum attention is needed when choosing treatment solutions, because many of the products may contain active ingredients that are not indicated during pregnancy.
Many products for treating sunburn contain lidocaine, a local anesthetic that cools the skin and numbs the area itself. This ingredient is contraindicated for pregnancy, therefore it is good to avoid any kind of products that contain it.
The safest solution, from this point of view, is the use of aloe vera gel, which has over 95% natural ingredients. Aloe Vera is known for its soothing properties on the skin.
If you want to use essential oils to treat sunburn, it is best to contact the doctor who monitors your pregnancy beforehand. Some of these oils may have compounds contraindicated in pregnancy.
Any exposure to the sun during pregnancy, whether it's a simple outing in the city or a beach session, can be harmful, especially if you spend a lot of time under ultraviolet rays. Our recommendation is to take precautions every time. The most comfortable clothes, made of natural materials, hats and the use of creams with a high protection factor are always the best solution.
