Pregnant women cannot do much, and sometimes prohibitions reach the point of absurdity. Who said that pregnant women should not have their hair cut, and what is this statement based on? Let's figure out how the haircut affects the health of the future baby, and find out whether it is worth it for expectant mothers to have a haircut during pregnancy.
Hair during pregnancy: to cut or not cut, that is the question
Folk omens prohibiting cutting hair during pregnancy confuse expectant mothers. On the one hand, you want to stay beautiful, but on the other hand, the thought that a haircut can harm an unborn baby is very scary. We will dispel your doubts by bringing together superstitions and opinions of experts in different fields regarding the pressing question: is it possible to have a haircut for pregnant women, or still not.
Why pregnant women can't cut their hair
There is no information on when the ban on cutting hair for pregnant women first appeared. However, scientists who have found written references to the strength of hair believe that it could have formed in ancient times.
Women's hair as a symbol of health and chastity
If in ancient times a pregnant woman asked to cut her curls, she would be refused. Although no, she could not even think of such a thought, because:
- In the cave age, hair served as a "coverlet" that perfectly retains heat. A pregnant woman could hide behind them, and a nursing mother could wrap a child in them;
- In the Middle Ages, cutting off the braids for a woman was a terrible punishment. If a wife was caught cheating on her husband, then her hair was cut off and she was told that she had "gone wild." This was a terrible shame for her;
- In the 18th-19th centuries, women were constantly either pregnant or nursing (women who got married gave birth to children almost without stopping). From exhaustion of the body, they often hurt, grew old quickly, their curls thinned out early, rarely a woman managed to keep beautiful hair up to 30 years old. No one could even think about a haircut: there was almost no hair anyway.
It is interesting! At all times, hair has been associated with special strength. And the longer they are, the wiser and stronger the person was. Remember only the legend about the biblical Samson, whose strength was concentrated in his strands. And he lost it when the insidious Delilah cut off his curls. Even scientists have proven that hair contains DNA molecules that store genetic information about its wearer. However, as in the nails ...
Common superstitions
In the old days, infant mortality was high. And while people did not have modern medical knowledge, they tried to explain the death and illness of newborns, giving rise to superstition. Many of them are related to how a woman treated her hair during pregnancy.
Here are some of the popular signs:
- Ancient legends say that hair is the source of feminine strength. They protect the baby from evil spells. Therefore, there was a superstition that if the expectant mother cut off her curls, she would doom her child to death, depriving him of protection;
- Hair also personified material well-being and health of a woman. If she shortened them, then wealth, health and women's happiness were "cut off" with them;
- In ancient times, people believed that the child in the mother's womb was immaterial. He has a soul, but no body. Usually the materialization of the soul (birth) took place 9 months after conception. But this happened before, if the expectant mother cut her hair. This was explained by miscarriages and premature birth;
- Long hair was also associated with longevity in ancient times. Therefore, the midwives said that by cutting curls, a pregnant woman makes her child's life shorter;
- If a girl was born, this could be attributed to the fact that during pregnancy the mother cut her hair, thereby “cutting off” the male organ;
- By shortening her curls at a later date, the woman certainly doomed herself to difficult childbirth;
- Mom's short strands promised a “short” mind for her baby;
- It was forbidden to comb your hair on Fridays, as this predicted a difficult birth.
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It is interesting! In the old days, hair was given the functions that the umbilical cord actually performs. The midwives said that the strands convey nutrients to the fetus. Therefore, it is impossible to cut off the curls, interrupting this connection between the baby and the mother.
Is it possible for pregnant women to have a haircut: a modern look
Advanced science and medicine have made it possible to establish the true causes of high infant mortality in the past. Therefore, signs linking the health of the child and mother with hair length have been criticized. Let's see if experts in different fields are allowed to cut hair for pregnant women.
The opinion of modern medicine
Doctors see no connection between the mother's hair and the fetus. After all, the hair shaft is dead, like the nail plate. They can be cut without fear and even necessary if a pregnant woman really wants to put herself in order. This will help her to improve her mood, and a good emotional mood for the child is certainly beneficial. However, medicine warns expectant mothers:
- During pregnancy, the entire body is rebuilt. And he can begin to react unpredictably to something that would not have caused irritation before. Any odors in a hairdressing salon, hair care products used in it can cause allergies, dizziness, nausea and even vomiting.;
- Allergic reactions. The body of the expectant mother is undergoing hormonal changes. Against the background of such a failure, past ailments may be completely "cured" or new ones may appear. Beauty salons always smell like chemistry. And particles of paint, fixing varnish or fragrances floating in the air are not something that is useful for a woman to inhale in a position.
Attention! You can visit the hairdresser, but only if you feel well. If early toxicosis caused an aversion to the smells that are in beauty salons, it is better to call a hairdresser at home.
Alternative medicine opinion
Irina Kuleshova, being an ambulance doctor, has been friends with alternative medicine for more than twenty years. It relieves patients from diseases of a physical nature on an energy level. According to her, hair is a conductor, one of the components of energy balance. She claims that during conception, a cycle of energy flows closes at the ends of the hair, which begin to circulate in two circles:
- External, giving the expectant mother strength from the outside.
- Internal, transmitting this power to the fruit.
Irina warns pregnant women against short haircuts. However, trimming the ends not only allows, but even recommends. This promotes the flow of new energy.
TIPS FOR HAIR CARE FROM THE DOCTOR OF NON-CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE, IRINA KULESHOVA:
1. Thursday. Since ancient times, it has been considered a sacred day. On Thursday before Trinity, it is customary to collect medicinal herbs, on this day it is filled with special power. Before Easter, “Maundy Thursday” is celebrated - the day of cleansing the home and body. On Thursday, it is customary to get rid of everything bad and unnecessary.
What to do: use this day for haircuts and procedures to cleanse your hair from accumulated negative energy.
2. Salt.This is the only natural substance that we use in its original form, it has concentrated the energy of the Earth. The ability of salt to absorb negative energy and improve health has also been known since ancient times.
What to do: Before washing your hair with damp fingers, rub a little salt into the scalp, leave for 15 minutes and rinse as usual using your usual shampoo.
3. Color.Since the foundation of the world, the symbolism of color has become firmly entwined into our lives, which we sometimes do not notice how often and unconsciously we use its language. Color has a powerful effect on mood and health.
What to do: Use a green hair towel. After the salt purification of energy flows, the green color will consolidate the result, provide protection, become a catalyst for a positive attitude and provide an influx of healthy energy.
Scientists' opinion
Scientific statistics have disproved the relationship between hair cutting in expectant mothers and fetal health. Pregnant women who take care of their curls face miscarriage and give birth to sick children as rarely as those who regularly used the services of a hairdresser. And the birth of healthy babies in mothers with short hair happens as often as in those who took care of their strands during pregnancy.
Professional opinion
During pregnancy, the hormonal background of a woman is rebuilt. This changes the structure of the hair, which begins to behave unpredictably. They may stop stacking, become thin or thick, straight or curly, soft or stiff. This is confirmed by the stylist of the Davines salon Alexandra Kochergin, who was already lucky enough to experience maternal happiness.
Alexandra cut her hair without fear during pregnancy. However, she warns expectant mothers against a radical change in hairstyle. Yes, the strands have become different: they are fuller, thicker and more beautiful. And the new haircut will suit them perfectly. But after giving birth, their structure will become the same, and it will be impossible to predict how these curls will form later. Therefore, the stylist recommends only trimming the split ends of the hair every 1–3 months, which gives the hair an untidy look.
From a scientific point of view, it is even beneficial for expectant mothers to cut their hair. For at least three reasons:
- Excessive density. Changes in hormonal levels in the body lead to a significant reduction in hair loss. Therefore, expectant mothers always notice the increased density and splendor of the strands. But this increased hair growth requires an increased dose of vitamins and minerals. In order to saturate the strands and not deprive the baby, women are prescribed special vitamin complexes. Under these conditions, trimming hair looks quite appropriate.
- Split ends. This is another good reason to go to the hairdresser. The split ends of the hair usually signal a deficiency in the mother's body of trace elements and vitamins. Doctors prescribe pharmacy drugs to fill the gap. And so that the split hair does not "draw out" useful substances, it is best to cut it.
- Prolapse after childbirth. After a baby is born, women experience rapid hair loss during the first six months. With this problem, as the reviews show, almost all women in labor are fighting, and it is associated with the restoration of hormonal balance. Naturally, the longer the strands, the more nutrition they need, and the more intense they will fall out. Therefore, a haircut during pregnancy is a prevention from postpartum rash of curls.
The opinion of psychologists
Psychologists have modeled two situations with two possible solutions to the problem:
- The psycho-emotional state of a pregnant woman is impaired. She became whiny and very receptive to the statements of strangers. Under their influence, the idea of popular signs and superstitions seems to her to be quite justified. Especially if close relatives share the same opinion. Then it's better not to get your hair cut. The effect of self-hypnosis may occur: exactly what the expectant mother fears most will happen.
- A pregnant woman has a stable psyche. She does not care about the opinions of others, and she does not believe in omens. She cannot even have a question "can" or "not" to get a haircut, because she never turns to superstitions. Then, if there is a desire, a haircut should be done. Attractive appearance evokes joy and self-satisfaction. A good mood is good for a baby.
Attention! Psychologists hold a scientific point of view and believe that hair shortening cannot harm the fetus by itself. Influence on the child can only have the attitude of the expectant mother to the haircut.
The opinion of the clergy
The Orthodox Church warns people against superstition. After all, this is a vain faith that is incompatible with true faith. Here is what the clergy say to Orthodox believers:
Archpriest Nicholas serving in the Church of St. Joseph the Betrothed (Krasnodar), claims that the Creator does not punish women for cutting their hair. The Lord loves everyone and is merciful to everyone. The length of the hairstyle doesn't matter. It is only important that the expectant mother leads a lifestyle according to God's commandments.
Archpriest Vasily serving in the Ascension Church (Poltava), mentions Epistle to the Corinthians, 15th line of the 11th chapter. It says that it is a great honor to grow hair for a woman. After all, they were given to her instead of a veil. However, the message does not say that cutting the strands can cause God's anger. There are also no words about whether a pregnant woman is obliged to grow long curls.
Muslims do not impose a ban on hair cutting for expectant mothers, because nothing is written about this in the Sunnah and the Koran. Therefore, a woman carrying a child can cut her hair and even dye her hair if her husband allows her to do so. Superstitions in Islam are excluded, since belief in them is a sin and polytheism.
The opinion of a modern mom
Elena Ivaschenko, editor-in-chief of Happy Parents magazine, also shared her views. She said that she had already carried two children. And the pregnancy did not stop her from visiting the hairdresser to update her haircut. But she did not have to radically change her hairstyle, because she suited her.
Elena also noted that she always planned the last trip to the salon during pregnancy in the 9th month. Then she looked neat in the hospital and immediately after being discharged from it: after all, then there is no time for haircuts. And to be a modern well-groomed mother, according to Elena, is “great”.
Hair care during pregnancy
Proper and systematic hair care will be a good alternative to a haircut and will minimize or even help to avoid split ends and other troubles that force you to cut your hair:
- Hair type can change during pregnancy, so it is necessary to reconsider hair care cosmetics and choose it according to hair type.
- Cosmetics must be natural, contain a minimum of chemicals. Most women prefer to use self-made care products during pregnancy.
- Split ends are the most common problem that makes expectant mothers worry and have doubts about haircuts. Regular replenishment of dried ends will help to avoid this problem. For this, masks based on natural ingredients or a properly selected cosmetic oil are suitable, with which you need to lubricate the ends of the hair before washing your hair and leave it for half an hour.
- If the body of a pregnant woman lacks trace elements, the hair begins to fall out. You can strengthen them with a rinse made from herbs: nettles, hop cones, St. John's wort and others.
- Do not forget about the hair masks, selected in accordance with the type. Natural home masks made from improvised means will not make the expectant mother worry about its composition and the content of harmful substances in them.
If, nevertheless, the expectant mother firmly believes in folk signs and believes that hair cutting will negatively affect her condition or the condition of the baby, then you should not force her to update her hairstyle. Calm and balanced state of a pregnant woman is more important, because it is this that contributes to the health of both the woman and the child.
So get a haircut or not? In this matter, a pregnant woman is better guided by her heart.If the haircut brings joy, and it does not cause worries about the health of the child, then you can safely go to the beauty salon. If you are in doubt, it is better to postpone the visit to the hairdresser: anxiety is useless now.
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