Random question, but can you get your hair bleached during a natural FET? Obviously wouldn’t get it done the week of transfer as I know the embryos are super sensitive but what about 2/3 weeks before the actual planned transfer?
If I was lucky enough for it to be successful/stick around when can you get it bleached if it worked? Can you get it done early in the first trimester?
Thanks 
I was advised no hair dye - especially bleaching - from start of IVF cycle until at least 13 weeks. Reason I was given by both the nurses at the clinic and my midwife was that the scalp absorbs the chemicals in the dye and this can impact your treatment cycle, likelihood of implantation and development of the embryo in the first trimester. I think I looked it up on the NHS site ready steady baby and that also said the same thing.
Ah thanks that is useful!! I think i'll wait on the dye, will definitely get it cut though as my hair is terrible right now
I found this post really interesting as the advice your nurses gave you was totally the opposite to the advice my NHS nurses and doctors gave me. They all said I could dye my hair even while having stims. The only thing they suggest was not dying it on transfer day. They also said there is absolutely NO evidence to suggest that dying your hair before a transfer affects implantation!
Also I could find no advice on the NHS website that it is harmful to dye your hair before a transfer. In fact the nhs website clearly states that even while pregnant there is no evidence that dying your hair is harmful to an embryo as the amount absorbed is so minimal. Yet, while pregnant they advise avoiding in the first trimester but not before pregnancy.
I wanted to reply with this information to point out to women who have dyed or bleached their hair before a transfer that there really isn’t any evidence that it will affect your outcome. You have done nothing wrong. ❤️
that’s really interesting! And different from what my midwife and nurses said.
The link to the NHS site that I read about not using hair dye in the first trimester is here: nhs.uk/common-health-questi...
But I agree it’s not definite absolutely don’t do, but it does say there is a risk and it’s higher in the first trimester. Or my reading of it anyway. I’d always rather be safe than sorry.
and last thing I wanted to do was cause anyone to be nervous. Sorry. I’m hopeless at responding well on these sort of boards. Ever time I log in I feel like I say the wrong thing
Where did you get that silly advice? Never heard of! My doctor told me to do whatever(besides drinking) as long as you are not doing it on the week of your transfer. Also, It was prohibited to do nails or hair during my IVF stimulation( before retrieval) as It could effect the egg quality. There is nothing on NHS about It!!!!
I have looked into this and there are other posts on this site from ladies asking in the past… there is a mix response but most say that doing something like highlights/low lights might be a better option as chemical in foils on dead hair and has minimal contact with your scalp.
I would probably say do this as much in advance before your cycle starts. It’s really hard as many sacrifices are made on this journey and sometimes you need to do something that makes you feel good.
I make choices comfortable with the fact that if it does not work it was not because I did X. I feel that we are constantly told that there are so many things out there on a day-to-day that can effect your hormones - I.e. eating non-organic, using non natural beauty and cleaning products for example, at some point I just think you can only do your best and you have to also live without constantly having the pressure and stress of this…
All the best on your journey xxx
Yeah it's a tough one isn't it. I wasn't expecting to do another FET cycle so otherwise I would have done it earlier just to make myself feel more myself. It's sad to think that nice hair can change the way you feel about yourself! I think I'll wait but i'll have a cut at least to give it some shape as it's all one length right now. Thanks for the advice xxx
It actually made a huge difference to me, so I totally get it. When my FET failed I booked an appointment and got highlights done, no bleach. I just felt unattractive when I looked in the mirror. I figured my next transfer would be at least 2 months out from there. It’s crazy when I sometimes think about that women who get pregnant naturally probably colour their hair and some of them would be getting their hair done and not even know they are pregnant and it has no impact. Glad you’re having your cut as that also helps. All the best on this cycle 💜
Agreed, I think you have to treat yourself when going through treatment. But yeah we overthink everything but I suppose, when it happens naturally people do all the things we stop ourselves doing but whyyyyy. It’s not fair! But you can’t help but not follow the rules, JUST in case.
Thanks so much
Don't do anything that you might regret if things turn out badly. Because you'll always blame yourself. Is it really worth it for some hair dye? I'd wait. x
Yeah I'm going to wait just to be safe x
Every reliable article I have seen on this says that there is absolutely no evidence, not even circumstantial evidence, that dying your hair will in any way jeopardize your pregnancy or fertility treatments. But what drives me nuts is when they start with "everyone agrees it's safe at all times" and then ends with "but why not wait until the 2nd trimester to be safe."
It's like...they could say the same thing about going to the opera. There is absolutely no evidence that going to the opera will hurt your pregnancy, but if you're worried about it, just to be safe, wait until your 2nd trimester to go to the opera.
Like what??? Is it safe or not??? They just said it was safe, and then tell you to wait "if you want" in order to "just be safe." It's MADDENING
I am inclined to think that it's just one of those things to shame women, that it's not "natural" to dye your hair and therefor must be bad.
But there is so much fear. I desperately need to get my roots done but I'm almost 8 weeks and am scared that if the heartbeat has stopped at the next scan, that I'd blame myself if I got my hair done. Which is crazy. One time when transfer didn't work, I worried that maybe it was because I ate a pint of ice cream a few days after transfer. There are just a million ways that women are expected to feel guilt and shame throughout this process.
I could not agree more with this post! I keep being made to feel ashamed for wanting to dye my hair (I believe a post above even says”why risk it for hair dye”) well it isn’t just about looking nice or feeling good for me. I have grey roots and dark hair, I have a job where I have to go into the office everyday and meet with important clients. I can not go in looking like a skunk or Cruella DeVill 😂! It’s not professional and it would affect my confidence to do the job I need to.
If I saw credible evidence from a doctor or a medical professional where they all agree, dying your hair ruins your chance to get pregnant. I would shave all my hair off and be done with. But there isn’t any and women dye their hair and her pregnancy all the time. Tried of having my desired to have a baby questioned because I need to dye my hair.
Agreed! In my first clinic, I was made to feel guilty when IUI failed because of my weight. One time I confused the name "metformin" and said "metmorfine". I was very tired and just mispronounced it, i was asking if I could use it as I had PCOS and read that in cases like mine with no natural menses, it could help... the doctor ignored me and was convinced that i meant "Morphin" and kept asking if I was using that or other drugs, because those caused infertility and would explain the failures. I don't even drink. IUI has a low chance of working, but of course they didn't explain that... it had to be somehow my fault.
I said i did not smoke, drink nor use drugs...And then she said "ah then you need to lose weight, that is the reason". And i ended up being yelled at and humilliated. I ended up changing doctors and clinics and they found out that metformin (and ivf), was indeed needed.
For the hair part, I read exactly the same. I was so confused that I just decided to wait until the 2nd trimester (just to not feel bad if something bad happened)... and then i just waited until the baby was born. I don't know if they want to shame us, or if they actually have not done enough studies.
I also noticed that there is a lot of interest in Europe over "everything being natural"... and a lot of shaming when it is not. And I get that natural is nice... but sometimes you need help in the form of medicines, or you just want to dye your hair, or have a sugary snack that is low fat and with artificial sweeteners or ice cream... or "natural" simply does not work for you As it should.
Well, before the FET it was no problem, but they told me that it was better to have no chemicals in the hair during the first trimester.There are some special products that you can use that are semipermanent that you may use after the 1st trimester. To be honest, they suck and don't cover roots that well.
Hi,
there is some NHS guidance on hair dye being used in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy:
nhs.uk/common-health-questi...
Is it safe to use hair dye when I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
The chemicals in permanent and semi-permanent hair dyes are not highly toxic. Most research, although limited, shows it's safe to colour your hair while pregnant.
Some studies have found that very high doses of the chemicals in hair dyes may cause harm. However, these doses are massive compared with the very low amount of chemicals you may be exposed to when colouring your hair.
Using hair dye when you're pregnant
You may decide to wait to dye your hair until after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, when the risk of chemical substances harming the baby is much lower. If you're colouring your hair yourself, you can reduce the risk further by making sure you:
wear gloves
leave the dye on for the minimum time
work in a well-ventilated room
rinse your scalp once the dye is applied
Highlighting your hair, by putting the dye only on to strands of hair, also reduces any risk. The chemicals used are only absorbed by your hair, and not by your scalp or bloodstream.
Semi-permanent pure vegetable dyes, such as henna, are a safe alternative.
Do remember that pregnancy can affect your hair's normal condition. For example, your hair may:
react differently to colouring or perming than it usually does
become more or less absorbent, frizzy or unpredictable
It's always a good idea to do a strand test first using the hair dye or treatment you intend to use. Speak to your hairdresser for advice.
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Thanks for sharing 💜
Hi.I asked my consultant this question when I was having my first round of ivf.He said it would in no way have an adverse effect.I dyed my hair when I was stimming for both cycles.Had double embryo transfers for both cycles.First transfer didn’t work but second did.Now have a beautiful 5week old baby girl.Dyed my hair through pregnancy as well.x
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