Why shouldn't pregnant women cut their hair? Expert answers

Even the most sober-minded women become suspicious during pregnancy. Expectant mothers constantly listen to themselves and to the new life that is born in their body. Because of the fear of harming the baby, they succumb to various signs and superstitions, most of which have no rational basis. Someone refuses to sew and knit, so as not to “confuse” the umbilical cord, someone stops painting so that the child is not born with a spot on the body. But the most common sign for pregnant women is a ban on cutting hair. It is believed that in this way a woman cuts off the life force that she and the child need.

Because of this superstition, many women stop going to the hairdresser during pregnancy. And if the first few months can still be somehow survived, then closer to hour X the picture becomes very deplorable: a ponytail or a “muzzle” on the head does not please the expectant mother in any way with its reflection in mirror. We tried to figure out whether it is worth sacrificing your beauty for the benefit of the child, whether there is a scientific justification for the ban on cutting pregnant women, and what happens if you do cut your hair.

Why pregnant women should not have their hair cut: folk version

The ban on haircuts during pregnancy is rooted in the deep past. The very past, when hair was considered the main wealth of a woman. Our ancestors believed that with their help a woman can connect with the energy of all five elements. Therefore, she could cut her hair only when she went to the monastery (no wonder it was called “taking the tonsure”). In all other cases, shortening the hair (albeit a couple of centimeters) was equated with the loss of vitality.

Naturally, these beliefs could not but affect pregnant women. To this day, several signs associated with the hair of the expectant mother and her child have been preserved at once:

• if you cut your hair during pregnancy, you can "shorten" the forces that are needed for gestation and childbirth
• having a haircut during pregnancy means “shortening” pregnancies and giving birth prematurely
• if you cut your hair on the eve of childbirth, you can “shorten” the life of the child (or even give birth to a dead baby)

No matter how absurd such warnings sound, many people think that they have some kind of sacred meaning. After all, our ancestors were closer to nature, and based their predictions on the basis of many years of observations. Therefore, let's not refute them unfounded, but turn to the opinion of modern experts.

Why pregnant women should not have their hair cut: scientific version

From a medical point of view, there is not a single convincing evidence that cutting the hair of a future mother somehow affects the child. Moreover, obstetrician-gynecologists advise a woman not to forget about herself during pregnancy and maintain her appearance at the usual level.

“In fact, between the future mother’s haircut and intrauterine development of the baby there is no scientific relationship, - says gynecologist Victoria Nechiporenko. - You can have your hair cut as many times as you want, and as many times as you need for your inner comfort. The only thing I would advise is not to go to the hairdresser in the early stages of pregnancy. But not because of the problems that shortening the hair can cause, but because of the risk of developing allergic reactions. In salons with a large flow of customers, varnishes and sprays are often sprayed. This suspension is in the air, and can provoke allergies.

Why pregnant women should not have their hair cut: the version of hairdressers

Hairdressers and trichologists say that getting a haircut during pregnancy is even beneficial. The fact is that progesterone (pregnancy hormone) stimulates hair growth. In addition, in the process of carrying a baby, the duration of the hair growth phase increases, but the shedding phase, on the contrary, is pushed back in time. At the same time, we remember that during pregnancy, all vitamins and microelements in a woman's body primarily go to the needs of the fetus. Hair is “financed” according to the residual principle, and with increased growth of vitamins, they lack. Therefore, they need to be cut off periodically, at least removing the tips. This will reduce the intensity hair loss after childbirth.

True, there is one “but” that must be taken into account. “During pregnancy, under the influence of hormones in women, the hair structure often changes,” says hairdresser Marina Eliseeva. - They can become thinner or stiffer, they can begin to curl, they can not be styled well. Therefore, I do not recommend a radical change of image to pregnant clients, because the result may not be at all what they expect. It’s better to just maintain the shape of the haircut or trim the ends so that the hairstyle keeps a neat and fresh look.”

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