Is Sunburn Bad for Pregnant Women?
Although very often on this blog we discuss how the sun’s harmful UV rays play no favorites when it comes to gender, race or age, it is still true that some people are more susceptible to the risk of sun damage than others are. This is why, from time to time, we write more specific posts regarding those people such as the pale-skinned, children and et cetera. Today is one of those days, and we’ll be addressing the question is sunburn bad for pregnant women?
Many pregnant women wonder if the time that they spend outside in the sun can negatively impact their babies. It’s an excellent question. And the answer to it is no; but possibly, yes. Okay, now let’s try and clear that up a little. The direct response to the query is that no, a baby won’t be directly harmed by a sunburn that his or her mother acquires. However its mother certainly can be, and a baby’s health is very often tethered to the health of its mom. That means the effects of a sunburn to the mother carry the potential of indirectly impacting her child.
Other Factors Put the Mother at Risk as Well
Heatstroke and dehydration can potentially lead to birth defects and miscarriage respectively, (for a more detailed medical explanation of the correlations, please click on the source article’s link provided below) so it’s very important for pregnant women to keep themselves sufficiently hydrated when spending any time outdoors.
Sunburns that are bad enough can also cause dizziness and fainting spells. And of course, the last thing an expectant mother wants to do is to incur an uncontrollable fall.
The best thing that a pregnant woman can do to keep themselves, and so by extension, her child, safe from the damaging effects of the sun is to just stay out of it altogether. And most important, not do any kind of tanning; either indoor or outdoor. Even if nothing were to happen, there’s no point in a mom-to-be exposing herself to risks that she absolutely doesn’t have to.
Pregnant and Like the Outdoors?
If you’re pregnant yet still must go outdoors for whatever reason, please try to do so outside of the sun’s peak hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Also be sure to cover every inch of your skin that’s not protected by clothing in sunscreen, and then continue to re-apply it often. And speaking of clothes, wear long sleeves, pants, a hat and sunglasses. Then stay in the shade as much as possible.
If you know ahead of time that you’re going to be outdoors, start drinking water earlier in the day. That way you’ll already be hydrated when you walk out the door. But still, bring a bottle or more of water with you so that you can maintain your hydration level. This is because you’ll lose water through perspiration.
As you can see there are many easy ways to shield yourself, and therefore your future son or daughter, from UV rays. Please take those precautions. And congratulations to you!
*Additional source article: Livestrong.com
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