Heat also causes the mother’s blood vessels to contract in order to cool down, which then reduces the amount of nutrients that reach the fetus.ģ- Potential damage to the unborn baby’s neurological functioning Studies have shown a link between exposure to high temperatures, lower birth weight and preterm births, which can negatively affect a baby’s normal development. Getting enough folic acid is extremely important, especially during the first trimester. We all know that sunbathing exposes you to harmful UV rays, but even more so during pregnancy, because your skin becomes more sensitive and reactive to environmental factors, including the sun’s rays.īeyond skin damage, prolonged sun exposure can cause a number of other health concerns for a mom and her growing baby, including:ġ- Depletion of folic acid in the body, which is crucial for fetal development and reducing the likelihood of birth defectsĪccording to a study published in a 2005 issue of the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology, a lack of folic acid can cause physical deformities in fetuses, such as spina bifida, a spinal cord defect. ![]() Your skin tone will darken but not the scars, resulting in tanned skin with white or reddish marks (depending on how long you’ve had the stretch marks). You’ve probably noticed that the sun can actually cause scars and stretch marks to stand out more. And because your skin is stretching faster than usual, it may prompt the appearance of stretch marks (which appear in 90% of pregnant women), varicose veins or spider veins. When you’re pregnant, your blood flow and body weight increase, putting more pressure on your legs and veins. Also, because the layer around the belly is thinner, UVA rays, which penetrate deeper into the skin, can potentially impact the growing fetus. Higher hormone levels can disrupt the skin’s protein balance, making it thinner (especially around the belly) and more sensitive to UV rays, sunburns and skin reactions. Hyperpigmentation of the skin, which is very common when expecting, can also be heightened and aggravated by sun exposure, so using a natural and effective sunscreen that is safe for pregnancy is important to control it, especially during the first trimester. In fact, over 50% of pregnant women will develop melasma during pregnancy. The increase in pigmentation can also cause melasma, also known as “pregnancy mask,” which causes dark spots to appear on the face. You may notice that your freckles and moles are more noticeable and your areolas, nipples and labia have darkened.Ībout two out of three expecting moms will experience this change. ![]() Hormonal changes during pregnancy increase the amount of melanin (the “tanning” hormone) your body produces, which protects the skin from UV light. Higher hormone levels and increased blood flow can cause a number of noticeable skin changes, such as: Many changes occur inside the body during pregnancy, so it’s not surprising to also notice some common external changes in the first few months. What skin changes occur during pregnancy? ![]() So, the question is: are sunscreens really safe to use during pregnancy? What’s the best way to protect yourself and your baby from the sun’s damaging rays? Read on to find out! While sunscreens remain the best form of protection from ultraviolet (UV) rays, many contain questionable ingredients that can have adverse effects on you and your baby’s well-being. But what about sun exposure? Is your sunscreen safe for pregnancy? Are they taken into consideration? Congratulations on becoming a soon-to-be mom! You’re about to embark on a wonderful journey filled with exciting new changes in your life–and your body! From nutrition to exercise and personal care, pregnancy comes with an exhaustive list of dos and don’ts in order to keep both you and baby happy and healthy.
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