If you have been pregnant in summer, surely you have doubts about whether or not you can sunbathe pregnant, or if you have to take any precautions. If this is your case, you cannot miss this article where we will reveal all the doubts and you can have a quiet summer enjoying your holidays.
The sun and pregnancy
When we find out that we are pregnant, we realize that many things are not going to be the same as before and that You have to be more careful in situations that we used to do normally. One of the usual doubts, especially if you have had to spend your pregnancy in the summer stage, is whether we can sunbathe as before. At this time the plans call for a pool, beach and sun, can we enjoy them as before or not?
The sun has many benefits for us: it helps us relax, provides us with vitamin D, strengthens our bones, makes us feel good ... although it also has many dangers. Even though we are not pregnant, we must be careful to protect our skin from the sun's rays. And if we are pregnant, these precautions must be greater since our skin will be much more sensitive. It will also have benefits for us in this state and for the baby, but we must be more cautious than before.
How to sunbathe pregnant
The hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy they can make spots appear on the skin due to sun exposure and taking longer to fade. These dark spots usually appear mostly on the face. The hormonal activity that occurs during pregnancy creates an increase in the secretion of melanin, which is responsible for creating the natural pigment of the skin when we can brown.
To avoid these ugly stains that are known as gestational chloasma, We avoid going out in the sun during pregnancy without adequate protectionto. And this works both when we go to the beach and when we walk down the street for example. Whenever we are exposed to the sun we have to protect ourselves well.
Tips when exposing yourself to the sun
- Put on the proper protection. Use good sun protection, better without PABA. The SPF that's right for your skin color. Ideally, SPF 30 for the neck and SPF 50 for the face. Remember that you have to throw it out half an hour before exposing yourself to the sun, and renew it every two hours or every time you bathe.
- Limit the hours of sunshine. If you used to stay in the towel for hours like a chameleon, now you will have to limit the hours that you expose yourself. Try to spend most of your time in the shade or under the umbrella. Spending too many hours in the sun can cause heat stroke, which is better to avoid. A rise in body temperature is linked to malformations in the baby's spinal cord. Do not spend more than 30 minutes in the sun.
- Avoid the middle hours of the day. They are the most dangerous for everyone, and more if you are pregnant. You can take the opportunity to go first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon when it is less hot.
- Take walks along the shore. There is nothing more refreshing than walking along the seashore. The breeze and the temperature of the water reduce the sensation of heat and it will also be good for you to walk to improve circulation.
- You can use both a bikini and a swimsuit. That already goes according to taste. The sun can hit the belly directly without problem, the only thing is that the linea alba darkens. If in the end you decide on a bikini, remember put protective cream also on the belly.
- Drink a lot of water. Hydrate well and drink plenty of water even if you are not thirsty. You can also consume fruits with a high level of water such as melon.
Because remember ... you can sunbathe during pregnancy but with caution.