Is it safe to color my hair during pregnancy?

The limited evidence that's available suggests that it's probably safe to dye your hair during pregnancy. The Organization of Teratology Information Services (OTIS), which provides information on potential reproductive risks, says that animal studies are reassuring and that there are no reports of hair dye causing changes in human pregnancies, despite the fact that many women have colored their hair during pregnancy. What's more, OTIS points out that very little of the chemicals in hair dye are actually absorbed into your system.

That said, if you're still concerned, consider waiting to color your hair until the second trimester, when your developing baby is less vulnerable. Also, rather than using an all-over hair color, consider a process like streaking, highlighting, painting, or frosting, in which the chemicals have little or no contact with your scalp. (Any hair-coloring agents absorbed into your system would come through your skin, not through your hair shaft.)

You may have heard that vegetable dyes are a good alternative if you want to avoid using synthetic chemical agents during pregnancy. But buyer beware: I looked at all of the so-called natural and herbal preparations at my local health food store. In addition to the various "natural" substances listed as ingredients, all of the dyes I saw had one or more of the very same synthetic chemical compounds (such as p-phenylenediamine, dihydroxybenzene, and aminophenol) that the major cosmetic companies put in their permanent and semipermanent dyes.

Pure henna (Lawsonia inermis) — a semipermanent vegetable dye that's been used for thousands of years — is considered safe, but it's quite messy to use, needs to be left on for a relatively long time, and imparts a red-orange hue that you may not like. (Note that henna products that come in other colors or are fast-acting are not pure henna and may contain synthetic chemicals or potentially risky metallic compounds.)

I certainly think it's important for women to feel good about themselves during pregnancy. Whether coloring your hair will make you feel good or cause you to worry needlessly for nine months is something to think about. If you do choose to color your own hair, wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated space to minimize your exposure to the chemicals used in the coloring process. Don't leave the dye on any longer than necessary, and thoroughly rinse your scalp at the end of the process.

By Ann Linden, certified nurse-midwife/babycenter

Insomnia in Pregnancy - Great Insomnia-Fighting Tips for Pregnant Moms-To-Be

Insomnia in pregnancy is a common phenomenon, debilitating around 78% of pregnant women. Although the unborn child is out of harm's way, insomnia in pregnancy can cause unimaginable discomfort for the soon-to-be mommy. It'll be nine eternities, er, months before you can return to your normal sleeping patterns, so you might as well try to make the most of your predicament.Perhaps the anxiety and excitement at giving birth to a baby is keeping you from much-needed zzz's, unlike before when you went off to dreamland as soon as your head hit the pillow. Because of some physical and hormonal shifts you will be experiencing, you can expect your sleep to be interrupted by back pains, discomfort as your abdomen grows, increased urinary frequency, heartburn, and even vivid dreams. Aside from the usual morning sickness, you will also have to contend with headaches, dizziness, nervousness, and irritability.

A number of desk employees are known for being insomniacs because of lack of physical activity in their daily routine. Daytime exercise (but not 3 hours or less before bedtime) will help you relax and fall asleep. Don't do too much exertion just before preparing to sleep as the adrenalin from the exercise will only work to keep you awake.

In having insomnia in pregnancy, as with any other instance of sleeplessness, getting the hang of relaxation is key. Take a nice warm bath, then have your husband or partner give you a firm but gentle massage to ease up muscle tension and relieve stress and fatigue.

Surround yourself with gentle and lulling music, or recordings of relaxing sounds like a steady heartbeat or lapping ocean waves. Make sure your player turns off automatically though, because if you're going to have to get up to turn it off yourself, then it negates the purpose of listening to a recording to help you get to dreamland in the first place.

Your bedroom must be suited for sleep. Not too warm or you'll feel uncomfortable from the heat, and not too cold which would make you shiver the whole night long. Your mattress should be firm and comfy, not hard or lumpy in places, that you end up with a stiff neck, a bad back, and other aches and pains in the morning.

If it's not too cold, noisy, or dangerous, leave the window open to let in fresh air and proper circulation. Curtains and rugs encourage the absorption of light and sound, so the atmosphere is darker and quieter. Earplugs prove useful, too. And don't forget to turn off your phone.

If you've tossed and turned but you're not in sleep mode yet, get out of bed and get yourself busy with some light activities like reading or needlework until you feel sleepy. The moment you feel sleepy already, you can now drift off to dreamland.

Sleep on your side to alleviate back pain. Bend your knees and put a pillow between your legs. Try placing one under the small of your back, underneath your belly, for more support as well. Pile on even more to raise your upper body if you suffer from heartburn.

Sleeping on your left side would be good for the baby as this causes blood and nutrients to surge to the placenta and your baby, but moving about and shifting positions is perfectly harmless. These changes will make your movement limited, though. You won't be able to sleep on your stomach for apparent reasons, while lying flat will only aggravate your back pain.

With the weight of your belly pressing on you, sleeping on your back could even lead to digestive and respiratory problems, as well as low blood pressure and decreased circulation, which in turn affects not only your heart, but also your unborn child.

Insomnia in pregnancy need not be a burden. At the very least, you need not be part of the demographics that experiences it. We hope that through these steps, you will not only expect a baby, but you'll sleep like one, too.

By Michael Lee