4b BSL Natural, Flat Ironed & Question

[moore.1506]

Hello Ladies,

I just went to the shop yesterday and got my hair straightened it looks great and I am nearly bsl (I was at bsl but had to get a trim due to damaged ends)
Pressed Hair:

So I am so excited but here is my question its just a matter of opinion and all opinions are welcome.

Background
I am natural 4b (4c). No curl pattern extremely dense with fine strands. My hair density is similar to Naptural 85 on youtube however I do not get any type of clumps or curls. I normally have to part my hair into 8 or more sections to deal with it. It has nearly 50% shrinkage (see picture below). To be gentle with my hair and patient it usually takes a day or 6 straight hours which includes prepoo, detangle, shampoo, style. It usually also takes a day of air drying to set the style. I had been contemplating getting a relaxer and changed my mind because my hair has grown much longer with it natural.
Shrinkage

Question
Im pregnant and have not had energy to keep my hair looking nice. In fact this press is the first time I have felt my hair looked good in a long time. While I enjoy taking time to do my natural hair I can't imagine all day hair marathons with a new baby.

So after she is born I am wondering should I go back to a relaxer or keep natural and maybe get it pressed often? To give even more background as a relaxed head I was never bone straight and often wore curly non heat styles and was mistaken for natural constantly. (This picture I attached shows the wavy relaxed hair style I often wore)

I am afraid I will lose all my progress if I relax and the whole reason I went natural was to encourage my future children to love themselves. But the convenience of relaxed hair is actually what I am missing. My ultimate goal is length but I don't think 6 hours a week is reasonable anymore. Im confused obviously and could use advice.

Thoughts??

 

[Foxglove]

You could try pressing and if that doesn't work then relax it

 

[havilland]

I would go to the stylist bi weekly and keep my hair in protective styles until the baby sleeps through the night.

Go to a salon you can afford. U will need a day off every two weeks anyways to give yourself a break from the baby and u will come back a better, rested, Mommy.

Once the baby starts sleeping and you can get to the "new normal" schedule, you can start to spend some time figuring out a regimen that nets you less than 6 hours at home.

If u want to relax, then do it. But don't start back with chemicals because of the baby. The first six months are the hardest. If that's your only reason for relaxing, you will regret it when trying to transition and having to possibly cut off your hair to go back to natural hair again because you miss how strong your natural hair was. Especially...since about 5 months post delivery, you will be shedding hair like crazy. The thickness of natural hair may be a plus at that point.

Good luck with whatever you decide and congrats on the baby.

 

[moore.1506]

I would go to the stylist bi weekly and keep my hair in protective styles until the baby sleeps through the night.

Go to a salon you can afford. U will need a day off every two weeks anyways to give yourself a break from the baby and u will come back a better, rested, Mommy.

Once the baby starts sleeping and you can get to the "new normal" schedule, you can start to spend some time figuring out a regimen that nets you less than 6 hours at home.

If u want to relax, then do it. But don't start back with chemicals because of the baby. The first six months are the hardest. If that's your only reason for relaxing, you will regret it when trying to transition and having to possibly cut off your hair to go back to natural hair again because you miss how strong your natural hair was. Especially...since about 5 months post delivery, you will be shedding hair like crazy. The thickness of natural hair may be a plus at that point.

Good luck with whatever you decide and congrats on the baby.

Thanks for the advice. I like the idea of a schedule going to the salon but I am strapped for cash. Ive been natural for 4 years and I literally have not been able to get my wash day time down because I am really gentle and so it takes a long time also the high density is a huge a factor.

You are right about the baby I don't want to make a rash decision just because I am tired from the little one.

 

[tiffers]

Have you considered wearing wigs? You can keep your hair in braids/twists under the wig, and do your hair bi-weekly instead of every week.

Or you can get your hair braided with extensions for a few months.

Congrats on the little one, btw

 

[moore.1506]

Have you considered wearing wigs? You can keep your hair in braids/twists under the wig, and do your hair bi-weekly instead of every week.

Or you can get your hair braided with extensions for a few months.

Congrats on the little one, btw

Thank you, yea I have considered braids while the baby is younger. Im not big on wigs I tried it before and didn't like them.

 

[angelhairtype4]

Mini/medium braids (no extentions) are good. They do not mat like braided extentions do, and make for easy detangling. You can wash and deep condition your hair in them, curl them, and do updo's, buns.. Frizz is minimal.
If you worry about lack of density there are tricks you can do. I had tiny braids so I made a fake kenekalon braided braid, and would attach it to my ponytail to give a fuller bun.

This style was very helpful during my son's birth I would redo them every month. It also is a great protective style.

But honestly do what you feel is best. Hair grows back. Best wishes to you and your growing baby.

 

[Honey Bee]

What about individual braids or twists on your own hair? From what I've seen, people can keep them in almost indefinitely just by redoing the fuzzy bits. Plus side: you can wash and condition in them with no long detangling process.

 

[mscheergrl]

My mom stopped relaxing her hair in order to instill in me a sense of pride of my natural hair texture. She knew that the world would tell me that I was "less than" because of my kinkier texture so she used herself to set a positive example for me.

I am grateful to her for that to this day.

I understand you wanting to set the example for your children and I admire that.

Whichever decision you choose, whether you relax or stay natural, your hair is beautiful.

 

[HappyAtLast]

Thanks for the advice. I like the idea of a schedule going to the salon but I am strapped for cash. Ive been natural for 4 years and I literally have not been able to get my wash day time down because I am really gentle and so it takes a long time also the high density is a huge a factor.

You are right about the baby I don't want to make a rash decision just because I am tired from the little one.

Do you have any beauty schools around? Talk to the instructor and ask about rollersets, presses, flat irons and updos (protective styles.) All that pretty hair, they'd love to work on it! And its dirt cheap.

 

[Stormy]

Yes beauty schools are dirt cheap! Like $15 for a wash-n-set at one of the top ones near my house.Two strand twisting your own hair is good too. Much easier takedown process. Once you try different things, if you still feel relaxing would be easier then it's up to you, but yeah seriously think about setbacks.

 

[Stormy]

And what heat training at the salon? And congrats on the baby!

 

[Prettymetty]

Beautiful hair! Have you thought about being a straight hair natural? You could press, rollerset or blowout on a set schedule (like bimonthly) until your hair is more manageable.

 

[sharifeh]

Wow your hair is awesome!!
Can you make wash day once every two weeks instead of once a week?

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

 

[uofmpanther]

I'm pregnant too and feel you on not having energy. I take advantage of overnight to cut down on my wash day. For example, I deep condition overnight before shampooing. I also frequently airdry overnight. I'm ok with putting my wet braided hair under a beanie or a wig to go outside.