Please don't think me irresponsible because this is not the case and also don't tell me how sunbeds are bad for you cos I know that aswell but is there a valid reason on why pregnant women can't go on a sunbed? I would never dream of doing it whilst pregnant but just wondered why they advise against it? Is this a really daft question I should know the answer to??

xx

I think its something to do with the concentrated exposure

From http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/isitsafeto/sunexpert/

Regular use of tanning beds is a fairly recent trend and there is little research on their effects in pregnancy. Also, no definitive studies have been carried out about how exposure either to sunlight or to artificial ultraviolet rays affects a developing baby. Some preliminary studies suggest there may be a possible link between exposure to ultraviolet rays and folic acid deficiency. This is because folic acid can be broken down by strong sunlight. In the first few weeks of pregnancy, high levels of folic acid help protect against neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, in the developing baby. While further studies have yet to be done, these initial studies suggest that intense or prolonged exposure to UV light should be avoided around the time of conception and in early pregnancy. After the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, all the developing baby's major organs have been formed and any risks are reduced.

Why not use fake tan?

From http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/isitsafeto/sunexpert/

Regular use of tanning beds is a fairly recent trend and there is little research on their effects in pregnancy. Also, no definitive studies have been carried out about how exposure either to sunlight or to artificial ultraviolet rays affects a developing baby. Some preliminary studies suggest there may be a possible link between exposure to ultraviolet rays and folic acid deficiency. This is because folic acid can be broken down by strong sunlight. In the first few weeks of pregnancy, high levels of folic acid help protect against neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, in the developing baby. While further studies have yet to be done, these initial studies suggest that intense or prolonged exposure to UV light should be avoided around the time of conception and in early pregnancy. After the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, all the developing baby's major organs have been formed and any risks are reduced.

Why not use fake tan?

Cheers for that hun. I can't use fake tan cos I either look like I've been tangoed or I'm all streaky :(

I'm sure that I read that babies born in early winter are LEAST at risk of developing neural tube and spine defects BECAUSE they have more exposure to sunlight during pregnancy.
That was something which I read when pregnant so the sunbed one seems a little out of synch to me.

Quote: Also, babies conceived in the winter and early spring are more likely to be born with spina bifida, perhaps caused by a lack of fresh foods in early pregnancy.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/wh-folic.html

Sorry i'm late with this, i think they tell you to avoid sunbeds because of your hormones, theres a sign up in a sunbed shop i go to adviseing new mothers to avoid sunbeds even 6 weeks after given birth. more than likely you have a chance of going blotchy