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Here ladies check out this site it is questions and answers by professionals about tanning while pregnant. http://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q244.html Here is one to ease your minds Q: I have done lots of research on the Internet in reference to tanning while pregnant. I asked my doctor because he says that it's not the radiation that he is concerned about. It's the fact that the radiation increases the body's temperature and that can cause birth defects! Is this true? I am six months pregnant; isn't my baby already developed anyway? A: The light waves that are involved in tanning do not penetrate beyond the superficial layers of the skin and will have no effect on the developing embryo and fetus at any stage of development. At six months of pregnancy all of the organs are developed and the fetus is primarily growing, although some tissues are still developing. You can be a__sured that the tanning is not going to increase your risk for any reproductive effects, even during the earliest stage of pregnancy. It is true that very high temperatures in a pregnant woman could interfere with development, but this will not happen in a tanning salon. Prolonged stays in a hot tub might represent a risk if it is overdone. So relax and enjoy the remainder of your pregnancy---and good luck. Robert Brent MD, PhD

NO!!!

I think it would be wise to put your vanity on the back burner and perhaps invest in some bronzing make-up or something else along those lines. It just isn't worth the risk.

Use a self tanner or something, is it really that important to look good with a tan that you would risk possibly hurting your unborn child? Some people make me wonder!

I just wanted to post that the few people that are recommending self tanners instead of tanning beds should know that I read an article recently that said that it would be wise not to use sunless tanners because not many tests have been done on them for pregnant women and the chemicals could be harmful. I don't want to be white for the summer either but I am just going to have to suffer through it! :-) Better safe than sorry.

It will not hurt anything. The heat isnt long enough to do any kind of damage. Scientists havent figured out if heat evenm will do any damage at all. Thats like asking if a warm bath will " hurt the baby"...rubbish

Is it bad to use the tanning bed while you pregnant

Question: Is it safe to use self-tanning lotions or tanning beds during pregnancy? Answer: If you're not feeling attractive during your pregnancy, the look of sun-kissed skin that a self-tanner provides can do wonders for your self-esteem. The good news is that the ingredients in self-tanners are harmless, so it's fine to use them during pregnancy. These lotions and sprays are basically dyes that stay on the surface of your skin and won't harm your developing baby. *Tanning beds are not advised. Ask your doctor.

Of course sites are going to say that tanning isn't advised, because it's never advised, pregnant or not. I heard that the UV isn't a risk because the rays cannot reach into your placenta, which is what's protecting your baby. The only risk is having your body temp reach over 102 degrees. Laying in a tanning bed, or standing in one for 10-15 minutes a couple of times a week won't pose any more risk than it would normally.

I am 7 weeks pregnant. I just visited my doctor and asked him about tanning while pregnant. He a__sured me that it was perfectly fine, aside from the normal warnings of tanning it will not harm the baby in any way shape or form. He did say, like most people do, that of course tanning outside in the real sun is much better for you. But again it will not harm anything.

3 Mos pregnant and I asked my doc last week. He said that so long as I dont get overheated, the baby will be just fine! Meg was right, UV rays cant penetrate that far. I have never heard that tanning causes spina bifida and I do know that the spinal ca___l is closed or remains open (due to spina bifida) by 3 weeks of pregnancy.

The response all over the internet and from doctors is so varied, you have to ask yourself, is my vanity worth risking my child's health? We KNOW it is damaging to our skin, so why shorten our lives by possibly getting melanoma? Just like people who quit smoking for their kids, I think people should stop tanning for them too. I had a precancerous spot removed from my arm at 22. It's just not worth it.

Well to me it sounds like people are saying its ok to go tanning while your pregnant but don't get overheated if it starts getting really hot then get out. Don't go for a really long time.

My doctor told me specifically not to tan in a tanning bed. That is almost all the restrictions he gave me. He even said that if I am tanning outside, I should cover my belly.

It is not best to tan while pregnant. Your body temp. can reach up to 102 degrees and may cause your baby to have spinal problems. Also if you do tan dont go 1st trimester and use a hex because if you lay down in the bed it may cause difficulty breathing and that will also cause your baby breathing problems.

Ok, so you are not supposed to lay in a tanning bed your first trimester but you can lay in your bed or on a couch for hours at a time? You guys need something better to worry about, seriously. And no, the rays cannot go to your placenta, are you nuts!? my mother is a very well known doctor and there are many things worse then tanning. Why don't you worry about riding in a car and talking on your cell phone, causes cancer your know!