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I used to use tanning beds (love tanning to help my horribley oily/troubled skin, but haven't at all this year or obviously since being pregnant.) and a year ago I was talking to my favorite guy there about my nephew being born and he asked if we would have kids and I said we were thinking about it soon and he said "then you know I couldn't let you tan!" I figured so much but I did find out that knowingly if you are pregnant at least that chain I went to would not be able to let you tan. Maybe the tanning salon doesn't know (or maybe she has her own bed????) but I would assume it's a liability if the salon does know. If you know she goes to a certain salon it might be interesting to find out their policies.

Our local tanning salons won't let a visably pregnant woman tan without a doctor's note giving the okay. If she wants to be tan get a spray tan, that is incredibly selfish of her to risk her child's health for a litte (or sounds like a lot) of color.

However, in regards to your question I would proabbly stay out of it in regards to contacting her doctor, but maybe send her a link to the research you have found and expressing your concern about her continuing to tan, maybe that will knock some sense in to her!

I understand where you're coming from. I'd find it very difficult to keep my feelings to myself and not do anything. Maybe you can send her a few of the links you came across... I cannot believe anyone would knowingly do something that could harm an unborn baby, so maybe she's not aware of the risks?

@MrsTiz: I would assume that since it raises your body temp that it is horrible for a baby. Just like hot tobs, hot baths, and heating pads on your tummy. I wouldn't be surprised if it upped the risk of mc. How horrible! I love tanning but the second we went on fertility drugs I stopped. No way would I risk my child's health!

I would never step foot in one pregnant or not!! They are so terrible for you. I just don't understand why people are so nonchalant about skin cancer

I think I've read conflicting things about tanning while pregnant--I think yeah, 1st trimester is dangerous due to the heat, but for the most part, it doesn't really pose a threat to the fetus, just you.

In general, with tanning beds being as huge of a cancer risk as they are, I think it's stupid to do anytime. I refuse to tan ever again (2nd wide local excision, 3rd mole biopsy at the dermatologist)--don't get me wrong, I sooooo miss being tan, but it's just not worth it!

@coacheswife123: I used to tan in HS too and have had a few moles removed. What were we thinking?

I'm surprised she still feels well enough to do it. I couldn't take a hot shower without feeling faint. If you do end up talking to her (I don't really have any advice on whether you should or not), also mention that she's risking that mask of pregnancy thing too. If she's vain enough, if might make her stop.

@MrsTiz: @ladybee: I understand that you should avoid the heat, but in my experience, I can tan in a tanning bed for 20 minutes and not break a sweat or get hot, versus spending a day outside in the Florida 100 degree heat and I obviously get much hotter. Not trying to argue, just curious if there is actual facts behind this?

Pretty much agreeing with everyone else-- it seems like a horrible idea, and I would never, ever do it, but I don't think it's your place to say anything to her. I don't know anything concrete about the risks, but to me it just seems like any behavior that is unhealthy or risky normally is just doubly so while pregnant.

I've never been in a tanning bed, but I was guilty of getting plenty tan outside in the summers in high school and college. Now that I'm smarter I usually will just use some of the daily glow type of lotion to keep total pastiness at bay, but while pregnant, I'll just embrace my paleness. I don't actually trust that those chemicals are really much better than the sun.

@HLK208: What's a bikini barista?!

@MrsTiz: Oh my God, how is it that I've never heard of this? It's hilarious. I grew up in the Midwest and live in the Northeast, but have never come across such a thing. Where do you and @HLK208 live? I wonder if it's a regional thing? I'm guessing the South since it's too cold anywhere else for most of the year!

@MrsTiz: OMG NO NO NO!

Tanning beds pose the same dangers as the sun: They emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which causes skin cancer. Don't believe anyone who tells you that because tanning booths emit only UVA rays, they're not hazardous to your health. One study suggests that visiting a tanning booth ten times in a year can double your chances of developing melanoma — one of the most deadly types of cancer. Melanoma is the only type of cancer that spreads to the placenta, which could be disastrous for both you and your baby.

Lying in a tanning bed can also raise your body temperature to a level that may be hazardous to your baby, particularly during your first trimester. Having an elevated body temperature during pregnancy — that is, above 102 degrees F, which can happen in a tanning bed, hot tub, or sauna — has been associated with spinal malformations in developing babies.

@HLK208: Oh man, that's SO barfy! Thanks for clearing up my confusion and apologies for thread-jacking!

I thought it was common knowledge that you could not tan while pregnant...naturally or in a tanning bed?. Ugh this upsets me as well, but I am like you and very non-confrontational and although I would want to say something I would probably end up not saying anything.

@MrsTiz:

http://www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-safe-to-use-self-tanning-lotions-or-tanning-beds-durin_1127909.bc

http://wikiparenting.parentsconnect.com/wiki/Tanning_Beds_during_Pregnancy

http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/tanningmethods.html

It's strange to me that tanning beds even exist anymore.

I wouldn't say anything to her, but I would consider not following her anymore on social media sites. I'm betting she'll continue to do cringe-worthy things, and I wouldn't want to feel agitated all the time!