Thursday, June 21, 2012

To Chop or Not: The Pregnant Woman's Hair Dilemma

I once read that a woman should never get a significant haircut while pregnant. The author had two compelling arguments for this statement: 1) A pregnant woman, operating on little more than decaf coffee and hormones, can be DOWNRIGHT CRAZY somewhat irrational and shouldn't rush to decisions during this fragile, 40-week period. And 2) a pregnant woman's hair is often thicker than normal because she loses less of it during pregnancy. And so while she may want to tear it all out at times, it's best to wait it out and hope her hair returns to normalcy--even if her life doesn't--once her baby arrives.

I see the merit in these points. I do. But today in Boston, it's a humid 96 degrees. And my hair--already thick when not preggers--looks and feels like a giant, fuzzy mushroom on my head. It's not especially long--falling just above my shoulders--but there's just so MUCH of it. So I'm ready to pull the trigger, rational arguments be damned. Crazy? Maybe. Cooler? Definitely.

I casually mentioned the word "haircut" to my husband a couple nights ago, and saw the crestfallen look on his face. What is it with guys and hair? Can he really like the frizzy helmet I'm sporting right now? Where I see mushroom, does Nick see girlish charm? Or maybe he thinks short hair is just one step away from mom jeans and clumpy clogs.

Maybe I'm a little worried about that myself.

Whatever it is, I knew I needed some visual aids to help us both feel better about my decision. And so I prepared my presentation and last night over dinner, displayed before Nick several pictures of hot, young actresses with cute, short hairstyles. As he visibly relaxed, I called the salon and booked a 12:30 appointment for today.

And away I go...

1:45pm

Ahhh, that feels better. Oh, hello, neck. It's so nice to see you.

So I did it, and let me tell you, watching all that hair fall to the floor of the salon was very, very gratifying. And while I might not look like the next hot young thang in Hollywood, I do feel like a new woman. In fact, I might need to go out and get some new shoes to go with my new hair.

Anyone know where I can get some good clogs?

2 comments:

  1. Everyone should have short hair!! Ok, well not everyone - but I think more people look good with short hair than long. If they weren't so afraid that they would look too "butch" and not feminine enough.

    I chopped my hair ala Gwenyth in Sliding Doors when I broke up with a terrible boyfriend after wasting 3.5 years of my life with him. I was in college, and it was a big risk but I did it, and have never looked back.

    I have had everything from pixie barely any hair, to long in front short in back, short in front long in back whispy (which I am rocking now) - there are so many options for short hair! And I feel so much sassier...

    I have crazy thick hair too and it was beautiful when long, but I feel like I became "me" when I cut it - and my husband thinks it is totally sexy - even when I am fat and pregnant. HA!!

    You go Mama! Especially when it is this freaking hot out - cut away!!

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  2. Thanks Mama J! I think this feels more like "me" too... And it's the only way I'm going to lose weight these days! :)

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