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Ask A Childbirth Educator
Questions and Answer

Q. I'm a little concerned with a question that hopefully you can answer. I am currently 8 weeks pregnant. I colored my hair, it came out too dark, so I then stripped that color out, and then reapplied another color. This color produced a lot of gold, so I did another formulation of color and did it again. all within 48 hours!!! I am praying that I haven't harmed my baby. I put something over my face so that I wasn't breathing in the vapors, but I am concerned about the absorption through my scalp. Please write to me and tell my what you know about haircoloring while pregnant.

A. I haven't found any studies suggesting problems for the baby if the mother colors her hair.. You probably harmed your hair much more than your baby coloring it three times in 48 hours.

While the chemicals used in hair dyes can be absorbed through your scalp, it is not a known cause of birth defects in the baby. Avoiding their use in pregnancy is mainly because it is always better to have as little chemical exposure in pregnancy as possible. In the future, ways to minimize absorption by the scalp would include rinsing with cool water and using gloves as well as being in a well-ventilated area. Also some caregivers recommend at least waiting until after the first trimester. Remember though, this is not based on any known risk to the baby, just an extra precaution.

Karen Klimsak-Ungar, CCE has been a certified childbirth educator for Birth Works® since 1996. She is currently Managing Editor for the Birth Works newsletter, sits on the Birth Works Board of Directors, and serves on their National Trainee Review Committee. A happily married mother of two, she also continues to teach Birth Works classes as well as private classes.

Karen will answer your questions on fertility, pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and babies. Her advice does not take the place of your practitioner. Personal answers will not always be possible.