Pregnant women really should avoid laying out in the sun or sunbathing for long 
periods of time. Whilst getting a healthy dose of daily Vitamin D is a great idea and easily achieved, intense or prolonged exposure to UV light around the time you conceive and in early pregnancy can potentially be unsafe. Women should also take care during late pregnancy. High temperatures have been shown to lead to premature labour and an increased rate of miscarriage.
Don’t go the extreme and avoid sunlight altogether though and don’t be afraid to sit in the warmth of the sun for short periods of time. The sun enriches your body with vitamin D which is transferred to your unborn little one. So long as you don’t overdo it, the sun will do you AND your baby a world of good!
How to sit in the sun safely when pregnant
- Our skin is more sensitive to sun damage (or pregnancy sun spots) while pregnant
- Pregnant women should also stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm when the sun is at its hottest.
- If you want to spend a peaceful afternoon in the sun, you can. Just make sure you don’t get too hot and that you protect your skin with sunscreen. It is important to remember that during pregnancy, our skin can become more sensitive and therefore burn easily so if this applies to you, stay out of the sun whenever you can.
Signs of heat exhaustion to look out for include increased body temperature, tiredness, light-headedness, and a dry mouth and throat. Be aware and be prepared and you’ll be safe. If you are looking for other ways to get a daily dose of sunlight without sitting in the sun, here are 7 sneaky ways.
