what did your OB say about getting hair/nails done?

jej05 · September 2011

I feel like a hot mess right now, lol. I usually get my hair chemically straightened but have not since April because I was cycling and now I am pregnant. I don't have my first u/s until Monday but will still have a long way to go before I see an OB.

Did your OB say yes or no to getting your hair and nails done? I want (and need) a pedi so bad! Of course if it means baby being ok, I will suck it up and continue to have a huge poofball on my head and cave girl feet

steveandkim2 · September 2011

I single process my hair to cover grays (and pre-preg had it touched up every 4 weeks) and my OB said it was totally fine - just make sure its well ventilated. That said, I only did it twice in my pregnancy -- and I did it b/c there were huge family events like my sister's wedding. My hairdresser also used more "natural" ammonia free products to lessen chemical exposure and reduced how long it was on my head. She knew our IF story (since I colored so frequently) so she went out of her way to not get it on my skin/scalp...

As for pedis/manis - I've done them all summer. Mine were straightforward manis (no gel/acrylic or the shellac mani). Again, I don't go to a place where there are lots of people getting acrylics/gels etc to avoid breathing that stuff in. I told them I was pregnant and avoided deep foot ankle massages, but was fine.

HotChocolate79 · September 2011

I don't color my hair but I heard that you should avoid it in the first trimester if at all possible.

Chemical straightening - stay away. I won't go on my soapbox but stuff is TOXIC and I had some serious issues from it in a non-pregnant state.

Nails - no idea and wondering about this myself. I need a basic mani/pedi in the worst way.

Finally, if anyone is wondering, waxing is fine. I've done brazillians for years and seriously need it to feel human. I called the RE's office about that and they said go for it, and it's actually preferable to depilatories.

love2b_mrst · September 2011

I've colored my hair and gotten pedis, and my dr said it was fine. Not sure about the straightening treatment though.

sweetky_06 · September 2011

love2b_mrst:
I've colored my hair and gotten pedis, and my dr said it was fine. Not sure about the straightening treatment though.

This.

FabulousMrs.P · September 2011

My doctor was okay with coloring my hair (I just use single process to cover greys) and having my nails done. He said that just to make sure that it was well ventilated. At first I really couldn't go get my nails done...the moment I walked in the shop the smells made my stomach turn (even though it is pretty well ventilated in there).

I am not sure if the chemicals in straightening treatment are okay or not. Just ask your doctor.

matt'sbride · September 2011

I asked my dr about getting the brazilian keratin treatment and she said no. Though I'm not totally sure about how the chemical straightening process is different, I would assume that you're still exposed to dangerous smells/chemicals.

I've gotten a few mani/pedis throughout my pregnancy. So I think those are fine.

amers83010 · September 2011

I've highlighted my hair. It's recommended to avoid this in the first tri- but I think that's mostly because the fumes can make you even more naseous.

I'm not sure about the straightening treatment but based on PP's comment, I'd probably stay away.

I've also had pedi's- just make sure they know you are pregnant. There is a pressure point on your ankle that can put you into labor.

jcath · September 2011

Could you try just a regular deep conditioning treatment instead of a keratin? I've colored my hair and had pedi's all the way through with no problems but I'm not clear about the chemicals in the keratin treatments.

Kitty Holland · September 2011

Maybe it's because of the IF, but I avoided all of that during the 1st trimester especially. Only in the 3rd trimester have I had pedicures - and even then it's only been 2.

I just think it's best to avoid chemical exposure in the 1st trimester if at all possible.

Look for alternatives - for mani/pedi you could do the male version where you get them all groomed, but then just buffed to a shine instead of polish. But you'd still need to avoid a nail place that's full of chemicals. So, maybe doing it at home or have a friend do it.

For your hair - I'd suggest extra conditioner and maybe henna or something for color if you really need it.

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