Highlighting hair during pregnancy

[July2015]

...is this safe? I usually have highlights (bleach) but haven't since finding out about I'm pregnant. I am 22 weeks now, and just wondering if I hold off 18 more weeks or just bite the bullet and get them done?

I had my hair highlighted throughout pregnancy as well as a full dye at 39 weeks. What do you think would happen? It's just dead cells and it's very unlikely much would be absorbed through the scalp.

If you go down the route of 'being on the safe side' even with things that 100% aren't a problem and the NHS say are fine like hair dye and paracetamol you will end up finding more and more things to restrict and get very anxious, believe me! No-ones baby has ever been harmed because they dyed their hair. When dreadful things go wrong the vast vast majority of the time ther is nothing anyone could have done about it - you'll drive yourself mad!

NHS guidance says dying hair is fine. I had it done a few times when pregnant with dd and have had it done at 11 & 27 weeks this time. I'm 29 weeks now and booked to have it done shortly before the birth - because believe me, you won't have time for a while afterwards! That's too long to have bad hair and it's the one thing that at least looks ok when I spend the whole pregnancy vomiting, exhausted and am the size of a small planet.

Regarding paracetamol, I've been taking it as and when I need to. In this pregnancy I've had awful headaches and terrible back pain. I have a toddler, she needs me to be able to function. The alternative - her seeing me lying, crying in pain - is not good for her. I can't put her, or my, life on hold for 9 months.

Seriously, pregnancy is long and can be utterly miserable, don't make life harder for yourself for the sake of being over cautious. Believe me, I know all about the anxiety having miscarried previously. But you have to live during this time too. And with respect, tell well meaning but interfering mothers/husbands/randoms on the street to shove off, they aren't the ones suffering.

Having highlights is absolutely fine - the chemicals don't actually touch your scalp anyway, and even they did it is so miniscule that nothing will touch the baby through your bloodstream. I have had my hair highlight throughout both my pregnancies and I can assure you that there is NO WAY my salon would do it if there was any risk at all- it is not worth their reputation or business.
If you do decide to go ahead, be aware that your hair can react differently due to the hormones, so ensure your hairdresser is aware. My hair takes twice as long to 'take' so my appointments have to be longer - no bad thing, just longer to relax and read magazines in peace!

With regards to paracetamol, I agree with other posters that it is safer to take than going over the recommended caffeine levels. It is considered the first step in pain relief in labour - because it is considered so safe. Safer for the baby than pethadine for example.
Please don't suffer in the early stages of pregnancy, it is hard enough as it is without having to suffer pain relief free.

I had both highlights and paracetamol yesterday. 37 weeks, really don't think it's going yo do any harm!!

I've not dyed my hair at all since becoming pregnant as even with highlights I can feel the chemicals on my scal, I probably have sensitive scalp

I have taken paracetamol whenever needed, last week I had a bad cold and sore throat, the paracetamol made me feel so much better! I have caffeine in moderation too, maybe 100mg per day or so.

Caffeine is a drug though just like paracetomol, I think everyone is entitled to make their own choices but do think you should cut out the caffiene if you are trying to be cautious, perhaps decaf x