Pregnancy and sunbathing: how to face summer with your bump

Summer has arrived, you are about to leave for your long-awaited holidays, you are pregnant and you ask yourself: can I sunbathe during pregnancy? The answer is yes, you can sunbathe during pregnancy! Exposure to the sun is very important for our body, because the sun helps us to synthesize vitamin D, which is essential for a healthy development of the baby and useful for strengthening the bones of the mother. The important thing is to protect yourself in the right way and to have some extra care.

During pregnancy, the skin is particularly sensitive and the hormonal change causes an increase in the production of melanin, responsible for the darker pigmentation of the skin exposed to the sun. Pregnant women are therefore more prone to chloasma, or mask of pregnancy, i.e. dark spots on the face or on the rest of the body. It is therefore essential to protect the skin with sun creams with a high protection factor (better if 50) and not expose yourself to the sun in the hottest hours of the day.

Does the sun on my belly hurt my baby? Don’t worry, the sun on your belly doesn’t hurt your baby, but it’s always better to cover yourself with a damp cloth, a sarong or a whole costume. The amniotic fluid is also responsible for maintaining a constant temperature for the growth of the child, so covering the belly prevents overheating of the body or heat strokes.

The first trimester of gestation is the most delicate: you must pay more attention to avoid sunburn, dehydration and fatigue. Remember to drink plenty of water, prefer foods rich in vitamins and minerals, apply sunscreen frequently, and alternate hours of exposure with hours of shade. Rest during the middle hours of the day, so that your body can regenerate and assimilate the benefits of the sun.

During the second trimester, it is necessary to pay more attention to pregnancy spots, which are very difficult to make disappear after childbirth. In addition to the sunscreen, it is advisable to avoid the middle hours of the day and use a large brimmed hat to avoid direct exposure to the sun and protect your face and shoulders more. Pay attention to temperature leaps and avoid temperature changes.

The third trimester is the easiest, although the circulatory system of the legs may start to give you some problems. During the last weeks of gestation, your legs swell or become heavier: so go for walks in the water to give you relief, avoid being too much seated or lying down and always prefer the early hours of the morning or late afternoon.

Finally, remember to protect your breasts properly: the heat could dilate the capillaries and the ducts through which the milk will pass, favouring the risk of congestion in this very delicate area.

The key word for your summer with the bump is protection, like the one offered by Nescens Swiss Stem Cell Science for the future health of your baby, through the preservation of umbilical cord stem cells. Find out how on our website or by contacting us.