Should You Get A Manicure While Pregnant?

Pregnancy can be a tricky and confusing topic. Depending on what you read, there are many do's and don't's that are up to personal preference as well as some rules you should strictly abide by. Although you shouldn't skip breakfast despite the thought of it making you nauseous, there are definitely some things you should avoid during pregnancy. Healthline recommends staying away from wet paint, high levels of caffeine, and spindly stilettos. However, even within the things to avoid there are stipulations, which is why you may be left wondering whether ordinary activities like getting your nails done are still okay during pregnancy. 

Just as being told to avoid wet paint depends on the toxicity of the chemicals in the paint you're using, getting a manicure or pedicure could be perfectly safe or verge onto the dangerous side. For many of us, having your nails painted is a soothing pastime, especially in the later months of pregnancy when movement is more limited. Still, there are several factors to take into consideration. We've laid them out all for you so you know exactly what's safe for you and your baby. 

According to MomJunction, getting your nails painted whilst pregnant is overall a fun and safe activity. Additionally, indulging in a pamper session may reduce swelling and lower your stress levels. If you suffer from circulation issues, the massage aspect that is often involved when getting your nails done can help to improve your circulation too. 

Nevertheless, you should always be cautious about the chemicals you are exposing yourself and your baby to in a salon. Whilst getting a manicure is safe by itself, there may be other elements that could put you at risk. There's no need to worry, but simply take notice of what's around you. One of the main issues is the tools used in a salon. If the salon doesn't sterilize its tools properly, the worst case scenario is that you could contract a fungal or bacterial infection. Though these infections are usually treatable, you always want to avoid any risk to you and your baby where possible.

If you are worried about salon chemicals, why not have a fun manicure session by yourself? Gather up your friends and make sure you're painting your nails in a room with good ventilation. This applies to salons, too — most chemicals will not impact you if you are in a room with solid air circulation.  

If you're at all nervous about going into a nail salon while pregnant, there are a number of at-home options to choose from. From the manicure systems from fan-favorite Olive & June to the quick drying Expressie nail polish by Essie, there are a bunch of options out there for you. For a salon-perfect manicure at home, you'll need a few essential tools. Luckily for any manicure amateurs, Glamour has made an easy-to-follow tutorial.

Start off by creating a clean base with nail polish remover. This applies even if your nails are free of polish, as the remover will make a smooth coating over your nail. Next is the soothing part. Trim, file, and buff your nails until they're the right length for you. Though you may think buffing is unnecessary, celeb manicurist Deborah Lippmann insists it's a vital step to prevent oil building up in your nails. After you've buffed to perfection, push back your cuticles so they won't get in the way when you're adding color later on. For the true salon experience, exfoliate and moisturize your hands and cuticles until they feel super soft and luxurious.

Now, onto the actual nail painting. Don't reach for your chosen color just yet, but for a base coat. Let your base dry thoroughly, and then it's finally time for the main color. You'll want to apply two coats for maximum color payoff, but make sure to leave enough time in between for each coat to dry. The final step is to apply a base coat and clean up any smudges.

All done! Remember that you can still get a manicure at a salon if you prefer, but an at-home manicure might put you more at ease if you're nervous.