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Ask A Childbirth Educator
Questions and Answer

Q. A friend of mine just discovered that she is pregnant. She has been to the tanning bed three times in the past month, and she would like to know what problems may arise from this.

A. As I understand it, there is no evidence that tanning booths cause problems in the baby. There hasn't really been any research done on pregnant women and tanning booths either.

Tanning will however intensify her cholasma, or mask of pregnancy, if she has it. Cholasma is a darker pigmentation on the cheeks and over the nose while pregnant. Some feel it is related to a vitamin deficiency, other sources feel it is a normal occurrence of pregnancy. Being exposed to the sun or UV rays without a sun screen will cause the pigmentation to become darker.

Karen Klimsak-Ungar, CCE has been a certified childbirth educator for Birth Works® since 1996. She is currently Managing Editor for the Birth Works newsletter, sits on the Birth Works Board of Directors, and serves on their National Trainee Review Committee. A happily married mother of two, she also continues to teach Birth Works classes as well as private classes.

Karen will answer your questions on fertility, pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and babies. Her advice does not take the place of your practitioner. Personal answers will not always be possible.