Yes, if your hair is growing at faster rate than normal, you are … https://www.carolinaparent.com/boy-or-girl-gender-guessing-myths-and-facts Unwanted hair growth could cause a lot of trouble to women, so much so that some women might think of going for permanent hair removal techniques such as laser and electrolysis, but they can prove to be dangerous. During research that was conducted in the third trimester and post pregnancy, it was noticed that the hair diameter was more in the third trimester than after pregnancy. Some people develop skin pigmentation or acne, while others will have thicker hair and a “pregnancy … A very reliable way to tell the sex of your baby is through genetic testing in the form of a CVS (chorionic villus sampling) between 10-13 weeks gestation or amniocentesis done after 15 weeks. Always do a patch test before application and finally, do not keep it for too long on the skin. While pregnant women carry an abundance of beta-HCG (pregnancy hormone), hair and nail growth are not clear indicators of a baby's gender. The hair removal techniques such as laser and electrolysis can prove to be harmful for the baby so this should be avoided during pregnancy. Gender-Guessing Myths and Facts, Penn Holderness on Family Life, Parenting, YouTube and Health, Vacation Ideas: 17 Places to See With Kids in North Carolina, What to Do When Your Baby Hates Tummy Time, Where to Ski, Snowboard and Tube Within a Short Drive. Ninety percent of the hair on our head is in the growing phase at any point of time and 10 percent of hair usually goes into the resting phase. Always massage your scalp with pregnancy safe oil. Boys are more likely to be born before their due date. No wonder women are so emotional during their pregnancy phase, which also triggers so many other changes. However, in reality, individual hairs do not grow … "The way that you carry your baby has more to do with your parity status (the number of times you've given birth) and the muscle and tone of your uterus," Stein says. If you want to remove facial or hair in unwanted areas then probably you must be aware of the right way to shave it as if not done properly it may lead to coarse hair. Keep your hair moisturized in case you have dry hair, and do not use hair products with alcohol. More about babies and gender. The next time someone tell you this, have fun! The texture of hair fiber depends on the shape of the hair follicle. "Normally, a woman loses about 100 hairs a day as part of hair growth's natural cycle," Stein says. Hydrogen peroxide is broken down fast after application on the skin and a miniscule amount enters the body. The presence of the chemical PPD (para phenylenediamine) could cause an allergic reaction, therefore an allergy test is a must. However, there have been no studies to prove any long term effects. The opinion of experts differs about relaxing or coloring of hair during pregnancy. There is no scientific reason for increased facial hair growth related to pregnancy hormones. Pregnancy overhauls a woman’s body so much so that it can become a bit overwhelming for her. A male fetus will cause the hair on the mother's legs to grow faster, while a female fetus will not. A well balanced diet with proteins and vitamins will add to the shine of your hair. Simply the World’s Most Interesting Travel Site. Also, carrying a baby high or low simply depends on how many times you have given birth and some other factors too. Do note: Generally the only way you’ll really know whether you’re having a boy or a girl is on the day they arrive, so we’d say have fun with these but don’t put too much faith in them. You should return to your pre-pregnancy hairline within one year of giving birth.". When you’re having a boy, it seems like your hair will start to grow … Hair goes through two stages: growth and rest. But there are no reports of bleach being harmful to the baby. MYTH: Testing a pregnant woman's urine with 2 tablespoons of Crystal Drano will tell you the sex. Sometimes curiosity about a baby's gender leads to some gender-guessing games that may have moms-to-be wondering: Is there any truth to those old wives' tales? "Your cravings have more to do with a combination of nutritional and psychological needs.". The best option is to wait until after 6 months of childbirth when this darkened hair will lighten on its own. Normal hair loss actually slows during pregnancy, leading to thicker hair. False yet again, Leggett says with a laugh. Most people experience coarse hair when it starts growing back after shaving. Medical experts advise that these creams should be used for a minimal time on the skin and as per directions only. Bleach contains diluted hydrogen peroxide with ammonium hydroxide. The high levels of estrogen make the hair that goes into resting phase stay longer. Some women say that they had fine hair growth on their jaw line. But fear not, this sudden and weird hair growth will go away on its own about six months after childbirth. Get a small patch of hair tested before the process begins to get a feel. This is the time to be extremely careful and not contract any infection knowingly. Natural is good! Many people believe that if you’re carrying a boy, your skin will look healthier, and you’ll have thick, lustrous hair. Pregnancy Facts. Stein agrees. Significance. "In addition, there may be dangerous side effects from the fumes that are produced when mixing urine and Drano. Always choose a place that is well ventilated. Positions can change throughout the pregnancy. The only place to satisfy all of your guilty pleasures. This 10 percent resting hair falls out in about two to three months time and gives way to new hair in its place. A patch test at least 48 hours before coloring is a must even if the same color or brand has been used before pregnancy. These procedures are extremely risky and should not be done without asking your doctor. ", "I hate to burst one's bubble," says Dr. Ann Stein, an OB-GYN, "but the most common way to detect the sex of your baby is with an ultrasound, which, generally speaking, is over 90 percent accurate if done after 16 weeks gestation. The test involves drawing a sample of the mother's blood and sending it to a lab where fetal cells are isolated. Some of these changes are just temporary and fade away after pregnancy, some leave a mark for quite a while. Many people try to take a guess and are curious to find out whether it's a girl or a boy (which should hardly make any difference). In fact, anywhere within that range is considered a normal heartbeat for both boys and girls. This darkening happens due to hormonal changes in the body that will return to normal after the childbirth. MYTH: Baby girls' heart rates are faster than boys' heart rates. If one still wishes to use this method, by all means, do not handle the mixture yourself. While in electrolysis, an electric current is passed through the skin to destroy the hair follicle. But for mothers who need to know, and when ultrasound results turn out inconclusive, the Sensage Fetal XY test may be a vital option. Website for moms seeking advice, community, and entertainment. Beware, pregnant moms. The hormones released in the body drop back to normal. According to Leggett, "Your body shape and your musculature determine how the baby is carried.". This is a natural hair growth cycle that happens to everyone. If going for waxing at a salon, see that the wax and spatula used for wax are new and the technician is wearing gloves. It is … When it comes to hair, there are many myths and realities and it is about time we clear the air. Your doctor is the best person to tell you what is safe for you and what is not. Shaving is a safe option, especially when you want to remove hair over large areas. But it has no takers in science, so this one is just a myth, as there is no unusual hair growth during pregnancy to indicate whether it is a boy or girl. These creams are known to create allergic reactions for some people. Do not worry as this is quite natural. recommended for … Rebekah Cowell is a Chapel Hill-based freelance writer and mother. While the darkened fine hair growth will be adding to your frustration, the added volume in the hair will surely make you smile when you look at yourself in the mirror. There are many things you need to take care of before you start shaving. Do not be surprised to hear about strangers who declare the gender themselves while staring at an expectant mom's hair and skin. First pregnancy - very noticeably less hair (legs in particular) - noticed it even without knowing it was something to look out for (and I'm not generally v hairy anyway) so all very marked = boy Second pregnancy - no noticeable change = girl … The author of a 2014 paper published in PLOS ONE asserted that the more weight you gain during your pregnancy, the higher the chance that you'll give birth to a baby boy, while if you gain … "Heartbeats for both sexes can range from 110 to 160 beats per minute in the third trimester," says Dr. Kelly Leggett, the medical director at the Women's Hospital of Greensboro. From the moment you tell your friends or begin showing signs of a wee baby bump, the congratulations you receive will be uttered in the same sentence as, "Are you having a boy or girl?" Furthermore, wax should not be applied to the areas with acne, open cuts or wounds and varicose veins. Usually, the easiest option of getting rid of unwanted hair is a hair removal cream or gel, but hair removal gels or lotions contain chemicals that affect the protein structure of the hair. Get an inside look at how girls and boys develop. The first phase is called anagen and lasts for two to six years. It is said that during pregnancy hair starts appearing in places women could never imagine. Epilators — Safe. The sudden noticeable facial hair could add to the woes of pregnancy. It’s an interesting time in a woman’s life, and a lot of strange things will happen. So, before the application of a hair removal cream, it is a must to do a patch test 24 hours prior, even if you have done it in the past. Although there have been no effects of laser treatment on pregnant women, lab tests on rats have shown negative effects on pregnant rats. This could result from lack of essential nutrients in diet. 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Home waxing is a safer option than salon. This also must be remembered that these changes do not happen in every pregnant woman. The hair is going to fade away after pregnancy so it is better to wait than take risks. But medical experts tend to differ and say that every woman has fine hair growth on most parts of the body and even on the face, although it is so light and fair that it is unnoticeable. Other hair color experts who are in favor of dyeing suggest that coloring hair during pregnancy can be done, but only at the right time in your pregnancy. Until now, it has not been confirmed in science whether there is any change in the hair follicle during pregnancy, but it has not been ruled out. Usually, the easiest option of getting rid of unwanted hair is a hair … This has been confirmed in a scientific research that hair thickness increases during pregnancy especially in the last trimester. During pregnancy, the majority of your hair is in the growth stage, giving you a fuller head of hair. While science doesn’t tell us the reason behind this change, enjoy the new texture for a while without having to get it done in a salon. A few things should be kept in mind before bleaching. Surprised to hear this? If your hair becomes thick and glossy, and you can’t make … Hormone levels between boy and girl babies are not sufficient to make any noticeable changes to the mother's body. The most important thing you must remember is that you and your partner should not share the razor as this may result in unwanted infections. MYTH: Suspending a gold wedding ring (or needle) from a necklace or string over a pregnant mom's belly will predict the baby's sex by the way the ring swings; circular motions for a girl, back and forth for a boy. A kid-friendly … Wax strips also should not be reused to avoid any infections. Another recommendation is that keratin treatments should be avoided as they have the harmful chemical formaldehyde. If the skin is itchy or irritated then it is better to avoid. While some experts say the fewer chemicals the better, but others say there's no danger to the baby. Also, some women may have dull and lifeless hair instead of thick and glossy. "In my experience, if a mom has a good instinct about what she's having, she is usually right. "Your age will affect your hair texture more than your pregnancy," Leggett says. They suggest second trimester for hair coloring. Also, a baby does not generate enough hormones to increase or decrease hair growth on legs. Severe morning sickness does not, as some claim, indicate you're carrying a baby girl, Leggett says. The hair growth cycle resumes its normal phase after pregnancy. It is a mixed bag with some welcome changes and some annoying, but it is always worth it. If the mixture darkens to a brownish color, it's a boy. "The hormone we attribute nausea to is the beta-HCG, and it does not determine the sex; for example, if you have twins, you have more beta-HCG and could have elevated nausea, but nausea does not tell us what the gender is, regardless of the levels of beta-HCG.". Waxing keeps hair growth at bay for a long time. You are more likely to have a boy if the hair on your legs grows faster during pregnancy Some have argued that the additional testosterone in your body when you are having a boy results in … In fact, the fetal heart-rate baseline tends to change throughout the nine months.". Some women have gradual hair loss and some might have dramatic hair loss. Use of a new blade is advisable. Although you might be enjoying your good hair days, there are a few precautions you should consider for taking good care of your tresses. A simple fact will make this easy to understand, after trimming hair on the scalp, it dramatically looks fuller and thicker without application of any hair lotions. All rights reserved. MYTH: You are more likely to experience severe morning sickness if you are carrying a girl. So, the exact reason for changes in the hair texture is still unknown. There is, however, a change that occurs in the body that can cause darkening of the natural … Women who have melasma should also avoid it. It’s all in the hair, apparently. Do not believe anything or everything unless it comes from an obstetrician or a reliable source. Hair also seems to suddenly appear on the belly and sometimes almost everywhere. After the 40-week mark, however, the odds slightly favor a girl. Truth or hair. In fact, during pregnancy the only change that occurs in the body is that the natural hair on the head, legs, arms, including the fine hair growth on other parts (peach fuzz) simply gets darkened. So they recommend usage of a natural dye such as henna. If the hair loss is unusually abnormal even after seven or eight months after pregnancy it could be because of other medical issues like hormonal imbalance or abortion, but this will come back to normal. Waxing is a completely safe option during pregnancy. Also, laser skin treatments are too dangerous as the chemicals have been found in breastmilk travelling via the bloodstream. There are many myths surrounding pregnancy too. "Chromosomal testing is the only definitive way of determining the baby's sex," says Deb O'Connell, a midwife based in Carrboro, who adds that moms should also pay close attention to their intuition, which is usually right. The reason is that hormone changes in the body may change the way the body reacts to the chemicals. The same way some people say that if you have increased hair growth on the legs, then it means it's a baby boy and if it's less, it's a girl. Bleaching once in a month is considered safe and should not be done more often than that. "Unfortunately, it has been demonstrated over the last few decades that there is no link between fetal heart rate and baby's gender. When the hormone level returns to normal after pregnancy, then the resting hair starts to fall out. Your hair has become more full-bodied and shiny during pregnancy. Tags: baby boy gender girl pregnancy. After conceiving, many pregnant women have numerous questions about what they experience and hear from others. We asked the experts to weigh in on a few popular myths and provide the facts. "This is really like picking a lottery number," Leggett says. All the changes happening inside and outside your body are taking place until the baby is born, including the hair changes. The American Pregnancy Association states that there have been no harmful effects of using hair removal cream during pregnancy. I read with my first pregnancy that if you're having a boy the hair on your legs grows faster and it grows slower if its a girl. Loss of hair in the months following delivery. Some of these changes are just temporary and fade away after pregnancy, some leave a mark for quite a while, and there are a few that are there to stay for a lifetime. The last phase is telogen. Fast growing hair Some women’s hair barely grows during pregnancy, and other women will have hair that grows really fast. One amazing fact is that when the pregnant woman is full term or due, her placenta produces estrogen equal to three years of estrogen produced in a non-pregnant woman. Two to four months after delivery, your hair moves into a resting stage that causes a noticeable increase in hair … Conditioner. "They look at the fetal DNA and determine the sex of the baby with 95 to 99 percent accuracy," Seid says, adding that the downside is that the test is expensive ($250-$350). In reality, these changes depend solely on pregnancy hormones. The hair on your legs has been growing faster during pregnancy. Those against dyeing of hair argue that there are many pores deep on the scalp so there is a potential that harmful chemicals may be absorbed by the body especially on an irritated scalp. These chemicals, if absorbed by the skin can be harmful for the baby. It will increase blood circulation and reduce hair fall. A visit to doctor may help in finding the reason if there is any. Some medical experts say that bleaching on the stomach should be avoided, however it is safe to bleach the face, arms and legs. While making any decision about an action, one thing that must be remembered is that any fact about the pregnancy should have a scientific backing. "Whether you are carrying your baby low or high is based on the position of the baby," says Dr. Melvin Seid, an OB-GYN with Lyndhurst Gynecologic Associates of Winston-Salem. During pregnancy, higher levels of estrogen prolong the hair growth phase, resulting in less shedding of hair and thicker tresses. Pregnancy overhauls a woman’s body so much so that it can become a bit overwhelming for her. If it's worrisome, it's better to consult a doctor as it could be a deficiency issue or otherwise. "It's all cute and fun and a nice game to play at your baby shower, but there is absolutely no scientific data to support that claim.". During pregnancy this process gets halted due to hormonal changes. The hair on our scalp grows in three phases - growing, resting and shedding. Bleaching agents have caused birth defects in animals but it has not been proven in humans. Moms who give birth to girls tend to have slightly longer pregnancies. Your facial and body hair may also grow faster, possibly … Even though some changes can get on the nerves, they can never overshadow the joy pregnancy brings, especially the most wonderful feeling of nurturing a life. One school of thought says that bleaching the skin is not be a good idea during pregnancy as it contains some harmful chemicals. So, although it's a fun guessing game, low babies and high babies give clues to mom's body shape, not the sex of the baby. Scans to tell if you’re having a boy or a girl I strongly discourage you to try this method. This even affects the feel of hair. However, Dr. Amos, a gynecologist, says the real fact is that this unwanted hair growth in strange places has no scientific reason. Believe none, but it is fun to hear such stories! When it comes to removal of darkened and thickened hair, there are many ways to do it, but during pregnancy all the methods to deal with this might not be safe. If it doesn't darken or there is no color change, it's a girl. "This is the most common method my patients inquire about in the office," says Dr. Aviva Stein, an OB-GYN at Charlotte Obstetrics & Gynecology. According to Elizabeth Tanzi, MD, Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery, shaving blunts the ends of hair and that is why it appears thicker, but the hair itself does not change. It makes them believe that shaving is the reason for thicker hair. Occasionally, even the due date takes a backseat to the baby's sex. According to a gynecologist, the hair increases in diameter during pregnancy. Nine out of 10 times, the mom is right.". Every woman's body is unique, and the same goes for her abdominal musculature and pelvic inlet (how the baby is sitting in the pelvis). Take a shower with cold water before bleaching as it closes the pores on the skin and body absorption will be less. Some women might not feel any growth and instead they might experience hair loss. Whoa! If you are not used to it then it could prove to be a disaster as this is a painful procedure more so in pregnancy as there is extra blood flow underneath the skin. Something to do with the levels of testosterone in your system. She intuitively knows. "There is no scientific evidence to suggest that this method works," Stein says. Hence, the hair that was in the resting phase for a longer time will start to fall out after pregnancy. Individual hairs grow on the scalp over 2 to 3 months and are pushed out by new hair strands afterward. MYTH: If your body hair or nails grow faster during your pregnancy, you're having a baby boy. Pregnant women often experience an increase in hair growth, according to the Kids Health website 3.While your increased pregnancy hormones can make your hair thicker and … After delivery, don't be alarmed if your hair may fall out as you return to the normal growth/resting phases. We really can't help ourselves; the sight of a pregnant woman automatically makes us fast-forward to one question: boy or girl? Some women have confirmed that they grew a beard during their pregnancy and for them this growth did not stop even after one year of childbirth. However, this cycle changes during pregnancy (2). So mothers, don't worry about testing your electromagnetic field while pregnant! The sole purpose of these tests is to diagnose a potential problem with your baby like an anatomical variation, not for gender determination.". Perhaps this is our desire to envision a complete little person before the birth, a need to begin attributing characteristics, consider names, and find the perfect blue booties or pink layette. Depilatories. This helps in removing the dead skin cells that otherwise get stuck in the razor blade and results in blunt edges on the hair growing back. There are many old wives tales that could be quite a revelation to us if we are a new and young mom-to-be. Your partner or an expert can help you by giving tips on how to do a smooth shave and get rid of coarse hair. Some women have also experienced changes in the texture of their hair from curly to straight and from straight to curly. A similar tale revolves around hair growth. Although it is quite painful, some women swear by waxing. MYTH: Moms crave sour and salty foods with a baby boy and sweet foods with a baby girl. Serving up the hottest food trends and the inside scoop on restaurants worldwide. You can use a conditioner, in case your child’s hair is too curly and bushy. Sometimes a pregnant woman's leg hair grows extremely fast, and her voice gets deeper, and she starts growing facial hair, which can be due to something called gestational … The reason was not revealed or discovered. Furthermore, every single person meeting a pregnant lady seems to be curious about the gender of the child and that is often the first thing they ask when they meet her. Also, medicated shampoos should not be used during pregnancy. The laser light is targeted to damage the hair follicle to stop hair from growing permanently. Epilators, created in the 1980s, are small electronic devices that pull unwanted hair … Usually the hair loss is at its peak after three to four months of childbirth, which is normal.