Pregnant Sun Tanning Question - Tan the Belly or not to tan then belly??

[Grendalynn]

So here is my weird and akward question: I am 6 1/2 months pregant with Baby #3. ((I had winter babies with my fist two - DS7 was born in April and DS3 was born in February.)) That being said - I have never been through the summer with a huge belly before. And I have never gone a summer my entire life not wearing a 2 piece/bikini... Now I own 3 maternity suits that resemble a tent. Or so it feels these days ..... I have seen many regualr style maternity bikinis in the stores, magazines, and websites , but I just can't do it - I will stick to the takinis and skirted 2 piece suits and hide all the extra baggage I am carrying these days - it seems to be following me everywhere - if ya know what I mean - LOL

So my question is: If I decide to push up or uncover my big ole' belly while at the beach with my kids - will the stretched out, tanned skin look weird after I deliver and it all, eventually, goes back?? Or am I better off to keep that as white as my you know what?? We have a private/secluded beach on the river right behind our house ((I won't scare anyone away, only myself and DH)) - I don't think I could do it anywhere else and feel comfortable. YES, pregnant bellies are a beautiful thing - I am just not ready to expose mine to a crowded beach July 4th weekend! LOL

A weird quiestion I am sure, but to all the mothers out there - you know the weird stuff that runs through our brains at weird times of the day... I did not know who else to ask!!??

And don't worry - I am very good about wearing sunscreen and covering my face when I have been in the sun. No need to flame ... I am only looking for belly advice!!

 

[mytwotinks]

I'd be really careful about that. I have heard that tanning can make stretch marks worse. I didn't get any with my 2 girls and I kept my big tummy covered. I also had really strange reactions to the sun when I was preg. both times. I usually tan really easily with practically no burning, but when I was preg. I just instantly got bright red splotchy burns no matter how much sunscreen I wore. I asked my OB and she told me it was probably a hormone thing. Have a great summer!

 

[Grendalynn]

I'd be really careful about that. I have heard that tanning can make stretch marks worse. I didn't get any with my 2 girls and I kept my big tummy covered. I also had really strange reactions to the sun when I was preg. both times. I usually tan really easily with practically no burning, but when I was preg. I just instantly got bright red splotchy burns no matter how much sunscreen I wore. I asked my OB and she told me it was probably a hormone thing. Have a great summer!

Good to know - no stretch marks on my stomach ... yet. I seem to be smaller wth baby #3 than with baby #1 and #2. Only had them on my upper thighs before and not as bad with #2; But would hate to see them appear after a lil sun exposure! Thanks for the note mytwotinks!

 

[noodleknitter]

My tummy burnt! It happened much quicker than i would usually burn, so be careful!

 

[Christypl]

I'd give my tummy some sun!!!! Just make sure to use sunscreen!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

The sun won't have any effect on stretch marks. Stretch marks are due to the elasticity in your skin which is gotten by genetics. I was pregnant twice during the summer and wore a 2 piece in my backyard (and maternity tentkini in public!) I was so tan and yes my belly was tan as well. The only thing to be aware of is that you burn alot easier when you are pregnant. Also keep cool and hydrated.

 

[disnutt]

My SIL tanned her tummy while she was pregnant. After the baby was born and her stomach started shrinking it looked darker than the rest of her. It took a year or so until it balanced out.

 

[vegasnative]

I wouldn't worry so much about the stretch marks, but more about the baby getting too warm. I was told not to lay out or sit out in the sun at all during pregnancy because the baby gets hotter than you do. I would talk to your OB Doc first about the risks of heat exposure to the baby.

 

[Grendalynn]

Thanks everyone for all the great input! I am very aware of what goes on around me - I would never try to endanger my child for the sake of a great tan ... AND ... it hasn't been sunny enough up here in NH to even consider going to the beach, so I am pretty safe right now - LOL ! I will apply plenty of sunscreen, watch for stretch marks and will be sure to sit IN the river to keep myself and the Baby on board cool!

I appreciate all of your feedback, experiences and what not! Its great to hear! Thanks again and keep the posts coming!

 

[mom2att]

Hi--I have two August babies, and I live in FL, so the thought of staying out of the sun in the summer is impossible! With the first Aug. baby, I had a one piece suit, but by the time ds was born it was so stretched out I had a tan tummy anyway, right through the suit! With ds #2 I had a tankini and sunned my big belly in the backyard. It was tanner than the rest of me afterwards, but to me a tan flabby tummy looks better than a white flabby tummy! Best of luck with your summer babies--I've sure enjoyed mine! My first is a late winter baby, and I'll tell you this--I look much healthier in those post-partum photos with #2 & #3!

 

[DisFam95]

2 summer babies here and I have a pool so I floated out there a lot with my belly exposed. You can burn easier and get splotchy so don't stay out too long until you know how you will handle it. I think that is a hormone thing.

It's the actual being out in the heat too long that can raise the temp of your core (not what kind of swimsuit you have on) but you'd have to be out a long time in some pretty high heat usually. Don't think if you lift your swimsuit flap you're all of a sudden "frying" your baby kwim.

Keep hydrated and cool off in the water and you'll be fine. I only got some minimal small stretch marks way down low at the end of the pregnancy and they look fine now.

 

[pweyl36]

I wouldn't worry so much about the stretch marks, but more about the baby getting too warm. I was told not to lay out or sit out in the sun at all during pregnancy because the baby gets hotter than you do. I would talk to your OB Doc first about the risks of heat exposure to the baby.

I have heard the same thing.