I just heard a heartbeat!! But thats not why I'm posting - I have some other questions to ask...

[bizbiz]

I'm so excited - after having a blighted ovum last pregnancy we just went in for an u/s today and the tech told me I am 5w4d and the heart beat was 109 bpm. I thought it was a little low, but she said by the 6 week mark (in 3 days)  it should be up to 115 plus. She was happy with 109. She also gave me my due date to be Aug 31st. I will still worry up to the 12 week mark (heck, I'll probobly worry all the way until he/she is out and in my arms), but for now I'm just excited to hear a h/b!!

But what I wanted to ask was: is it okay for my hair dresser to dye my hair? And what about self tanners? Are they safe, or will the chemicals used in those go thru to the baby? And what about acrylic nails? When they do the nails the smell of the chemicals are so strong - will breathing them in cause any harm? Also I know that paracetemol (like panadol) is o.k to use in pregnancy, but how much is okay? Since being pregnant I have found that I have been getting a lot of headaches. I have already taken two tablets a couple of nights ago and now I have another bad headache, but I'm really worried to use them so much. Any advice?

[smbc]

Do not use any hair dyes or chemicals, such as tanning creams on your body.  These things are absorbed through the skin and also inhaled while smelling the chemicals.  You should take evey precaution and you don't want to worry that it is something that you did later on if something does go wrong.  Pregnant women have a very natural beauty to themselves.   Headaches are possibly hormone related and you really should not take anything.  Some doctors consider them a good sign of high hormone levels.   They will likely go away as your pregnancy continues.

[carpediemforlife]

Congrats....if all is well my next ultrasound Im do Aug 28. I had my first ultrasound yesterday and my heartrate was 98 and they said not to worry. (But I am) I say deal with what you can.  If you can handle the smells at the hair/nail salon my gfriends all continued and have healthy babies to show for it. :-)

[AshleysMom]

My RE said if you can do without it, just don't do it.  I gave up the self tanner right away and have just used a little Sun-in on my roots once at around 16 weeks.  I'm not sure about nails.  I do my own.  I'm ugly, but hopefully my baby will be healthy!

Congratulations!

[poupoune26]

I waited until 14 weeks to go have my hair dyed..as for my nails, I've been doing them since forever and I haven't stopped. The girl who does my nails told me that even she will be able to continue working throughout most of her pregnancy if she gets pregnant..so I guess it's safe. Self tanners..don't know, but I still go in from time to time to get a facial.  (facial tanners at the tanning salon)

[heath1]

Tylenol is the same as panadol . I would wait till twelve wks to use any nail stuff or dye . I have been told dye is ok then but self tan..... Dunno seems it would absorb a lot being all over you and I sometimes think with chemicals they just don't know . Lets face it not many pregnant women would want to trial any of this stuff!!

[jifnif]

my dr said no no to self tanners because they havent been around long enough to know the effects on an unborn.  :)

[mlb1234]

I got my hair foiled very early on in pregnancy and have done it two more times since.  They say foiling is OK because it does not actually touch your scalp.  I think the hair dyes have come a long way since way back when and are not loaded with ammonia or whatever anymore.  I have heard to stay away from nail salons during pregnancy since the smells are very strong.  I'm not sure about self tanners but I would not use them myself.  These are all good questions to run by your OB though.  They can give you the best advice.

[pcarsey]

Congrats on the heartbeat!

about your questions...
I was told to wait until 12 weeks to even put highlights in my hair. Not sure about self tanners. I don't think I would risk breathing in all the fumes to have my nails done, they are really strong. I'm not sure about the panadol, never heard of it, but for a headache I've been told many times if it isn't tylenol don't take it unless prescribed.

Just my opinion!
Patty