These birthing hairstyles are chosen to keep you comfortable, cute, and low-maintenance from labor through the newborn weeks.
Your due date is circled on the calendar. The crib is built, and the bag by the door is ready. Now for the question nobody warns you about: what will your hair look like when your baby arrives?
Key Takeaways
- Your birth type should decide your hairstyle: a water birth, a hospital birth and a C-section each ask something different of your hair.
- Planning a water birth? Pick something water-friendly, like braids, twists, a wet-and-wavy sew-in, curly crochet or a boho braided perimeter sew-in.
- Delivering in a hospital bed or by C-section? Go flat and low: flat twists, stitch braids, a half wig or a sew-in built on a braided perimeter.
- Prefer your own hair? A high ponytail, a puff toward the front, your locs or a smooth top bun all work.
- Get your hair done between weeks 35 and 37, or about seven days before a planned C-section or induction.
- Think twice about synthetic hair. Consumer Reports found cancer-causing chemicals and lead in popular braiding hair brands, so choose human hair when you can.
Cameras come out the minute your baby does, and those first pictures last a lifetime. Meanwhile your hair has to handle sweat, possibly a birthing pool and long hours against a pillow. That is why we organized these 25 looks around the way you plan to give birth.
Start With Your Birth Type
Birth type 01Water birthLaboring or delivering in a birthing pool or tub. You need a style that loves water.See the styles →
Birth type 02Hospital birthHours in a hospital bed, often lying back with monitors on. You need a style that lies flat.See the styles →
Birth type 03C-sectionLying flat in surgery under a cap. You need a low, flat style with nothing bulky.See the styles →Don’t wear weave or braids? Our No-Weave Mamas styles work for every birth type.
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Ask the Expert: A Trichologist on Birth-Ready Hair
Before you book your appointment, hear from someone who looks at hair and scalp for a living. We asked Brooklyn cosmetologist and trichologist Guslene Bubak what she tells her own clients who are getting ready to give birth.
What do you tell clients preparing for birth?
“I always tell them, let’s choose something you won’t have to think too much about. You want to feel good, but you also want to be comfortable. Can you rest your head? Is anything pulling? Can you get to your scalp to wash it? Those are the things I look at first.”
What hairstyles do you recommend?
“I really like mini twists. You can wear them with your natural hair or add a little hair if you want more length or fullness. I also like small cornrows in the front with mini twists in the back. Your hair is away from your face, you still have access to your scalp, and, if it’s long enough, you can put it into a loose ponytail.”
What styles are popular?
“Braids come up a lot in the birthing-hair conversation, especially box braids and knotless braids. But I always look at the person’s hair and scalp before recommending anything. Just because a style is called protective doesn’t mean it’s protecting your hair. How it’s installed and maintained matters.”
Just because a style is called protective doesn’t mean it’s protecting your hair.
Guslene BubakWhat works best for a water birth versus a hospital birth?
“If you’re planning to be in the water, I’d lean toward manageable braids or twists you can keep away from your face. Just know that twists may loosen when wet, so plan for someone to help you cleanse, dry and refresh them afterward.
If you’re in the hospital without water immersion, think about how the style feels when you lean your head back. That’s another reason I like cornrows in the front and mini twists in the back. You have options without needing a big bun behind your head.”
How can moms care for their hair postpartum?
“First, I want moms to understand that shedding doesn’t mean they did something wrong. After delivery, estrogen drops, and more hairs move into the resting phase. A few months later, those hairs shed. It can look like a lot, but it’s usually temporary.
Keep your routine simple: cleanse your scalp, condition, detangle gently, and avoid tight or heavy styles. If your healthcare provider recommends continuing your prenatal vitamin, keep up with that for your nutritional needs. It won’t stop hormonal shedding, though. And if you’re seeing patches, having scalp discomfort, or the thinning keeps progressing, get it checked.”
So much of the preparation is focused on the baby. I think it’s also important to make room for the mother to receive care.
Guslene BubakHow can a Japanese head spa help before or after birth?
“A Japanese head spa gives her time to relax while we cleanse her scalp and provide gentle massage. With RejuvaScalp Scalp Care Clinic, we bring that experience to her home, so she doesn’t have to figure out getting to a salon. It’s a lovely gift before birth or after the baby arrives. We work around her comfort, her recovery, and any guidance from her maternity care team.”
Connect with Guslene: RejuvaScalp.com · ScalpLove@RejuvaScalp.com · 1734 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11210
What Makes a Good Birthing Hairstyle?
You will have enough on your mind when labor starts. A style that is already done means one less decision, before and after your baby arrives.
How Far Ahead Should You Book Your Appointment?
Weeks 35 to 37 are the sweet spot: close enough to delivery that your style still looks new, far enough out that labor is unlikely to start mid-appointment. If your C-section or induction is on the calendar, or you are rethinking your birth plan, book about seven days ahead.
Sitting for hours is tough on a pregnant back. Build in stretch breaks, pack water and snacks, and if a long session is out of the question, go with something quick like Jayda Wayda braids, curly crochet or a half wig.
Human Hair or Synthetic Hair? What Pregnant Moms Should Know
Most braids, crochet styles and many wigs are made with synthetic hair. It is affordable and holds its shape, but there is something every mom-to-be should know before her appointment.
You will wear your style for weeks, breathe close to it while you sleep and then hold a newborn against it, so it is worth choosing carefully:
- Choose human hair when you can. It does not carry the same plastic coatings, you can wash it, it handles a birthing pool beautifully, and a good bundle can be reused for your next style. It does cost more and can feel heavier, so go medium length.
- If you go synthetic, look for brands that say they have been tested for heavy metals, or try plant-based braiding fiber.
- Talk to your braider about the hot water. Boiling water is poured over the braids while they are on your head to soften the stiff synthetic hair so it moves naturally, and that heat is when the chemicals are released. Ask her to open a window or run a fan, or choose human hair, which does not need the hot water step. Many braiders also soak synthetic hair in an apple cider vinegar rinse before installing it. That can help with itching from the coating, but it has not been shown to remove these chemicals.
- Planning a wavy or curly style for a water birth? Ask for human hair. Synthetic waves and curls frizz and tangle once they get wet, while human hair curls right back up. It costs more, so get a price from your stylist ahead of time.
Every look below gets four quick ratings so you can compare them at a glance. We judged each one on what labor really asks of your hair:
- Water birth: how well the style handles a soak in a birthing pool and how easily it bounces back once it dries.
- Hospital birth: how comfortable it is when you are lying back against a pillow for hours, often with monitors on.
- C-section: how flat it lies and how easily it fits under a surgical cap, with no clips or bulk in the way.
- Photo-ready: how good it looks in those first pictures with your baby, with little or no touch-up.
Great means a top pick for that birth type. Good works well with a small trade-off. Okay can work but takes extra care. Skip means choose something else for that situation. Your hospital may have its own rules, so check with your care team too.
Water Birth Hairstyles: Protective Styles That Love Water
A water birth means laboring or delivering in a warm birthing pool or tub, and your hair will get wet. Think about how we get our hair braided before a beach vacation: it is protected, it handles water, and it is one less thing to worry about. The same logic works for your birth.
Knotless Braids
Your stylist starts each braid with your own hair and feeds in extensions slowly, so there is no tight knot pulling at your scalp. Keep them medium and shoulder length and they dry fast after a birthing pool. They also pull easily into a bun or ponytail, so you can move your hair out of the way as labor changes, and that flexibility makes a real difference on birth day.
- Time
- About 4 to 6 hours
- Lasts
- Up to 2 months
- Say this to your braider
- “Medium knotless, no longer than my shoulders, and easy on my hairline, please.”
- Perfect for
- The water-birth mama with a tender scalp who needs her braids to go the distance.
- Water birth: Great
- Hospital birth: Great
- C-section: Great
- Photo-ready: Great
Box Braids
A dependable favorite that holds up to water and lasts for weeks. Pull them into a high ponytail when contractions pick up, and keep the length at mid-back or shorter so they stay light.
- Time
- About 4 to 6 hours
- Lasts
- Around 6 to 8 weeks
- Say this to your braider
- “Medium box braids that stop at mid-back, small knots, and please don’t pull my roots tight.”
- Perfect for
- The mom who wants to sit down once and be done until her baby is two months old.
- Water birth: Great
- Hospital birth: Good
- C-section: Great
- Photo-ready: Great
Two-Strand Twists
Twists are gentler than braids and look beautiful damp, so they suit a birthing pool. Wear them down, pin them up or sweep them over one shoulder.
- Time
- About 2 to 4 hours
- Lasts
- 2 to 3 weeks on your own hair, about a month or more with added hair
- Say this to your stylist
- “Medium two-strand twists to my shoulders, soft at the ends and loose at the root.”
- Perfect for
- The mama after an easy, natural finish with very little upkeep.
- Water birth: Good
- Hospital birth: Good
- C-section: Great
- Photo-ready: Good
Wet-and-Wavy Sew-In
Soft human-hair waves sewn onto a braided base that keeps your own hair protected. In the birthing pool, wear it up in a high ponytail or bun so it stays out of the water, because you do not want anything from the birth in your hair. Once baby arrives, take it down for a fresh, glam look in those first photos.
- Time
- 3 to 4 hours
- Lasts
- 6 to 8 weeks
- Say this to your stylist
- “A wet-and-wavy sew-in with a braided base, falling past my shoulders, easy on my edges.”
- Perfect for
- The water-birth mama who wants soft, beachy hair in her first photos.
- Water birth: Great
- Hospital birth: Great
- C-section: Good
- Photo-ready: Great
Curly Crochet
Crochet curls that look like natural hair, not braids. Crocheted onto flat cornrows in just a few hours, they shake out wet and dry with little fuss.
- Time
- 2 to 3 hours
- Lasts
- 4 to 6 weeks
- Say this to your stylist
- “Curly crochet that matches my natural texture, looped onto flat cornrows, shoulder length and light.”
- Perfect for
- The curl-loving mom whose back cannot handle a long appointment.
- Water birth: Great
- Hospital birth: Good
- C-section: Good
- Photo-ready: Great
Boho Braided Perimeter Sew-In
All the beauty of boho braids without the long day in the chair. Your stylist braids boho knotless braids around your perimeter with curly human hair left out, cornrows the rest of your hair down, then sews matching human-hair bundles onto the cornrows. Because the bundles and the loose boho curls are the same hair, everything blends into one full boho look. Wear it up in a bun or ponytail during labor, then let it down for photos.
- Time
- 3 to 4 hours
- Lasts
- 6 to 8 weeks
- Say this to your stylist
- “A boho perimeter sew-in: boho knotless braids around my hairline, cornrow the rest down flat and sew in human-hair bundles that match the curls left out of the braids.”
- Perfect for
- The mama who loves the boho braid look but cannot sit through a full boho install.
- Water birth: Great
- Hospital birth: Great
- C-section: Great
- Photo-ready: Great
Hospital Birth Hairstyles: Braids, Sew-Ins, Half Wigs and V Part Wigs
In a hospital birth you may spend hours in bed, often lying back with monitors on and maybe an epidural. Braids are always an option, and so are wigs and sew-ins. The goal is a style that lies flat against the pillow and still looks beautiful in that first photo with baby.
Two Big Side Braids
With one braid down each side, there is nothing behind your head to press into the pillow. It is quick to do the week your baby is due and keeps every strand off your face.
- Time
- About 1 to 2 hours
- Lasts
- Roughly 1 to 2 weeks
- Say this to your braider
- “A pair of feed-in braids parted down the middle, longer than my shoulders, soft around my edges.”
- Perfect for
- The mom who waited until the last minute and needs something fast.
- Water birth: Great
- Hospital birth: Great
- C-section: Great
- Photo-ready: Great
Jayda Wayda Braids
The braids-in-front, sew-in-in-back look made famous by influencer Jayda Cheaves. Your braider stitches cornrows across the front, sews in the hair at the back, then crochets loose hair around the perimeter of the sew-in to blend it, so you get a sleek braided look in a fraction of the chair time. That is the whole point at 37 weeks: no all-day appointment.
See how it is done: braider @braidsbybisola walks through the whole install in this TikTok tutorial. Save it and show your stylist.
- Time
- 2 to 3 hours
- Lasts
- 4 to 6 weeks
- Say this to your braider
- “Jayda Wayda braids: four to six stitch braids in the front, a flat sew-in in the back with crochet hair blended around the perimeter, and light tension at my edges.”
- Perfect for
- The mom who wants the braided look without sitting in the chair for hours.
- Water birth: Good
- Hospital birth: Great
- C-section: Good
- Photo-ready: Great
Braided Top Bun
All of your braids swept up into a bun on top of your head, so you can lean back without lying on it. Keep the bun toward the front of your crown.
- Time
- About 3 to 5 hours
- Lasts
- 3 to 4 weeks
- Say this to your braider
- “Medium braids pulled up into a bun on the top front of my head, nothing sitting low in the back.”
- Perfect for
- The mom who wants her neck cool and every braid out of the way.
- Water birth: Good
- Hospital birth: Great
- C-section: Okay
- Photo-ready: Great
Braided Crown
One long braid wraps around your head like a halo and pins flat. It looks dressed up in first photos and lies smooth against a hospital pillow.
- Time
- About 1 to 2 hours
- Lasts
- 1 to 2 weeks
- Say this to your braider
- “One goddess braid wrapped all the way around my head and pinned flat, with no lump at the back.”
- Perfect for
- The mom who wants a polished look without a long appointment.
- Water birth: Good
- Hospital birth: Great
- C-section: Great
- Photo-ready: Great
Boho Braids
Braids with curly pieces left out for a soft, romantic look in your first pictures with baby. The curls tangle when wet, so these are better for a hospital bed than a birthing pool.
- Time
- About 5 to 7 hours
- Lasts
- 4 to 6 weeks, refreshing the curls as you go
- Say this to your braider
- “Medium knotless braids with human-hair curls mixed in, somewhere between my shoulders and mid-back.”
- Perfect for
- The mom with a newborn photo session already booked.
- Water birth: Okay
- Hospital birth: Good
- C-section: Good
- Photo-ready: Great
Side Braid with Loose Curls
A sleek feed-in braid sweeps along one side, with soft curls left loose. Glam in photos, with nothing hard to lie on.
- Time
- About 2 hours
- Lasts
- 2 to 3 weeks, with a quick curl refresh
- Say this to your braider
- “A single feed-in braid down one side with my curls hanging free, soft tension along my hairline.”
- Perfect for
- The mom who wants glam curls in every photo.
- Water birth: Okay
- Hospital birth: Good
- C-section: Good
- Photo-ready: Great
Half Wig/V Part Wig, Natural Texture
A half wig/V part wig blends with your own leave-out at the front, so it looks like it grew from your scalp. Pick a kinky-curly or coily unit that matches your texture.
- Time
- 30 minutes to blend
- Lasts
- Wear it as long as you like, it comes off at night
- Say this to your stylist
- “A coily half wig/V part wig that matches my texture, with my edges left out and blended.”
- Perfect for
- The natural mama who wants volume and a style she can take off to sleep.
- Water birth: Skip
- Hospital birth: Great
- C-section: Okay
- Photo-ready: Great
Half Wig/V Part Wig, Relaxed Hair
For relaxed mamas, a sleek half wig/V part wig matched to your fresh relaxer gives you a polished look without flat-ironing in your last weeks.
- Time
- 30 minutes to blend
- Lasts
- Wear it as long as you like, it comes off at night
- Say this to your stylist
- “A straight half wig/V part wig that matches my relaxed texture, blended at the front, nothing tight.”
- Perfect for
- The relaxed mama who wants sleek hair in photos with no heat.
- Water birth: Skip
- Hospital birth: Great
- C-section: Okay
- Photo-ready: Great
Glueless or Braided Wig
No chair time at all. Choose a glueless unit with a flat cap so it sits comfortably against the pillow, and be ready to slip it off if you head into surgery.
- Time
- Just a few minutes
- Lasts
- Months, if you care for it
- Say this to your stylist
- “A glueless lace unit, shoulder length, natural-looking hairline, on a flat cap.”
- Perfect for
- The mom who wants to look camera-ready for labor, visitors and newborn photos without sitting in a chair.
- Water birth: Skip
- Hospital birth: Good
- C-section: Okay
- Photo-ready: Great
Boho Braided Perimeter Sew-In
All the beauty of boho braids without the long day in the chair. Your stylist braids boho knotless braids around your perimeter with curly human hair left out, cornrows the rest of your hair down, then sews matching human-hair bundles onto the cornrows. Because the bundles and the loose boho curls are the same hair, everything blends into one full boho look. Wear it up in a bun or ponytail during labor, then let it down for photos.
- Time
- 3 to 4 hours
- Lasts
- 6 to 8 weeks
- Say this to your stylist
- “A boho perimeter sew-in: boho knotless braids around my hairline, cornrow the rest down flat and sew in human-hair bundles that match the curls left out of the braids.”
- Perfect for
- The mama who loves the boho braid look but cannot sit through a full boho install.
- Water birth: Great
- Hospital birth: Great
- C-section: Great
- Photo-ready: Great
C-Section Hairstyles: Flat, Low and Cap-Friendly
For a C-section you will lie flat on your back, and your hair goes under a surgical cap. Choose a low, flat style with nothing raised behind your head. Ask your hospital ahead of time about their rules on wigs, hair clips and metal accessories, since some ask you to remove them before surgery.
Stitch Braids
Cornrows with neat stitch lines that stay put no matter how often you shift positions. They fit easily under a surgical cap and look sharp from every angle.
- Time
- About 1 to 3 hours
- Lasts
- 2 to 3 weeks
- Say this to your braider
- “Flat stitch cornrows, six to eight of them, running straight back and soft at my edges.”
- Perfect for
- The C-section mom who wants something flat, neat and secure.
- Water birth: Great
- Hospital birth: Great
- C-section: Great
- Photo-ready: Great
Cornrows Up Front, Mini Twists in Back
This one comes straight from our expert, trichologist Guslene Bubak. Small cornrows keep your hair off your face, while mini twists in the back stay soft against the pillow and leave your scalp easy to reach. Wear it with your own hair or add a little for length, and if it is long enough, gather the twists into a loose ponytail.
- Time
- About 3 to 5 hours
- Lasts
- 3 to 4 weeks
- Say this to your braider
- “Small cornrows across the front and mini twists in the back, light tension at my edges, long enough to pull into a loose ponytail.”
- Perfect for
- The mama who wants her face clear and her scalp happy, with or without added hair.
- Water birth: Good
- Hospital birth: Great
- C-section: Great
- Photo-ready: Good
Flat Twists
Twisted flat against your head in curved rows, with the ends tucked in. Nothing to lie on, nothing bulky under a cap.
- Time
- About 1 to 2 hours
- Lasts
- 1 to 2 weeks
- Say this to your stylist
- “Curved flat twists close to my scalp, ends tucked under, nothing raised at the back.”
- Perfect for
- The mom expecting a long stretch on her back, with or without an epidural.
- Water birth: Good
- Hospital birth: Great
- C-section: Great
- Photo-ready: Good
For the No-Weave Mamas: Natural, Relaxed and Loc’d Styles
Plenty of us like our hair as it grows, no weave required. Whether you are natural, relaxed or loc’d, these styles use your own hair and still keep everything off your neck and face.
Natural High Ponytail
No weave needed. Smooth your natural hair into a high, soft ponytail on the crown so the pillow never touches it. Use a satin scrunchie, not an elastic.
- Time
- 15 minutes
- Lasts
- A day or two, then refresh
- Say this to your stylist
- “A high ponytail on top of my crown, smooth but not tight, with a satin scrunchie.”
- Perfect for
- The natural mama who wants her own hair, off her neck and face.
- Water birth: Good
- Hospital birth: Great
- C-section: Good
- Photo-ready: Good
Afro Puff Up Front
Gather your natural hair into one big puff up high, angled toward your forehead, so you can lie back on your pillow. Lay your edges and go.
- Time
- 10 minutes
- Lasts
- A day or two, then refresh
- Say this to your stylist
- “One puff high on top toward the front, nothing at the back, gentle on my edges.”
- Perfect for
- The natural mama who wants zero chair time and full texture.
- Water birth: Okay
- Hospital birth: Great
- C-section: Good
- Photo-ready: Great
Braided Pineapple Puff
Your own hair is cornrowed up from the nape and released into one curly puff near the front of your crown. The back stays flat for the pillow.
- Time
- About 1 to 2 hours
- Lasts
- 1 to 2 weeks
- Say this to your braider
- “Cornrows going up from my nape into one puff on the top front of my head.”
- Perfect for
- The natural mama who wants her curls out but the back of her head clear.
- Water birth: Okay
- Hospital birth: Great
- C-section: Good
- Photo-ready: Great
Two Afro Puffs
Two high puffs with your own natural hair, set high above each ear, leaving the back clear. Playful, quick and full of texture.
- Time
- 15 minutes
- Lasts
- A day or two, then refresh
- Say this to your stylist
- “Two big puffs placed high on each side, clear of the back of my head.”
- Perfect for
- The natural mama proud of her texture who wants zero chair time.
- Water birth: Okay
- Hospital birth: Good
- C-section: Good
- Photo-ready: Great
Locs
For loc’d mamas, sweep them to one side or pull the top half up to keep them off your face. Locs do well in a birthing pool. Ask for a light retwist, never a tight one.
Real or faux? You can wear either. Real locs are your own hair, locked over time. Faux locs are installed in a few hours by wrapping or crocheting extension hair over braids or twists, so you get the look without the years of growing. Most faux locs are made with synthetic hair, so the synthetic hair warning above applies to them too. Ask for human-hair faux locs if you can, and keep them light and shoulder length so they are easy to lie on.
- Time
- About 1 to 3 hours for a retwist, 4 to 6 hours for faux locs
- Lasts
- 3 to 4 weeks for a retwist, 4 to 8 weeks for faux locs
- Say this to your stylist
- “A light retwist, not tight, then pull them half up or over one shoulder.”
- Perfect for
- The loc’d mama who wants neat roots for her first family photos.
- Water birth: Good
- Hospital birth: Good
- C-section: Great
- Photo-ready: Great
Relaxed High Bun
Relaxed hair turns frizzy with sweat, so put it up. A smooth high bun on top stays neat through labor and lies clear of the pillow.
- Time
- 15 minutes
- Lasts
- A day or two, then refresh
- Say this to your stylist
- “A smooth, sleek bun sitting up on my crown, edges soft, nothing tight.”
- Perfect for
- The relaxed mama who wants polished and easy.
- Water birth: Okay
- Hospital birth: Great
- C-section: Good
- Photo-ready: Good
Head Wrap
The easiest option on the list. A satin-lined scarf means no tension and nothing to detangle, and it looks lovely in photos. Labor tip: fold the scarf edges under a soft headband and it will stay put the whole time.
- Time
- About 5 to 10 minutes
- Lasts
- From morning to night, retie as needed
- Say this to your stylist
- “A long satin-lined scarf, around 70 inches, so the knot sits in front with extra fabric.”
- Perfect for
- The mom who wants a pretty look in minutes with zero pulling.
- Water birth: Okay
- Hospital birth: Great
- C-section: Good
- Photo-ready: Great
The Full Style Index
Every style in this guide, in order. Tap a name to jump to it.
- Knotless Braids
- Box Braids
- Two-Strand Twists
- Wet-and-Wavy Sew-In
- Curly Crochet
- Boho Braided Perimeter Sew-In
- Two Big Side Braids
- Jayda Wayda Braids
- Braided Top Bun
- Braided Crown
- Boho Braids
- Side Braid with Loose Curls
- Half Wig/V Part Wig, Natural Texture
- Half Wig/V Part Wig, Relaxed Hair
- Glueless or Braided Wig
- Stitch Braids
- Cornrows Up Front, Mini Twists in Back
- Flat Twists
- Natural High Ponytail
- Afro Puff Up Front
- Braided Pineapple Puff
- Two Afro Puffs
- Locs
- Relaxed High Bun
- Head Wrap
Which Hairstyle Fits Your Birth Plan?
| Style | Water Birth | Hospital Birth | C-Section | Photo-Ready |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knotless Braids | Great | Great | Great | Great |
| Box Braids | Great | Good | Great | Great |
| Two-Strand Twists | Good | Good | Great | Good |
| Wet-and-Wavy Sew-In | Great | Great | Good | Great |
| Curly Crochet | Great | Good | Good | Great |
| Boho Braided Perimeter Sew-In | Great | Great | Great | Great |
| Two Big Side Braids | Great | Great | Great | Great |
| Jayda Wayda Braids | Good | Great | Good | Great |
| Braided Top Bun | Good | Great | Okay | Great |
| Braided Crown | Good | Great | Great | Great |
| Boho Braids | Okay | Good | Good | Great |
| Side Braid with Loose Curls | Okay | Good | Good | Great |
| Half Wig/V Part Wig, Natural Texture | Skip | Great | Okay | Great |
| Half Wig/V Part Wig, Relaxed Hair | Skip | Great | Okay | Great |
| Glueless or Braided Wig | Skip | Good | Okay | Great |
| Stitch Braids | Great | Great | Great | Great |
| Cornrows Up Front, Mini Twists in Back | Good | Great | Great | Good |
| Flat Twists | Good | Great | Great | Good |
| Natural High Ponytail | Good | Great | Good | Good |
| Afro Puff Up Front | Okay | Great | Good | Great |
| Braided Pineapple Puff | Okay | Great | Good | Great |
| Two Afro Puffs | Okay | Good | Good | Great |
| Locs | Good | Good | Great | Great |
| Relaxed High Bun | Okay | Great | Good | Good |
| Head Wrap | Okay | Great | Good | Great |
Your Hair Kit for the Hospital Bag
Tuck these into your bag:
- An oversized satin bonnet, roomy enough for big styles like box braids, boho braids or a top bun.
- Edge control for smooth edges in those first pictures. Choose a fragrance-free one if you can: a Silent Spring Institute study found hormone-disrupting chemicals, most of them not listed on the label, in many hair products marketed to Black women. Brush gently, since rough brushing pulls on a tender hairline.
- A gentle edge brush to tidy up between visitors.
- A satin scrunchie for pulling everything up in a hurry.
Once you are home, keep it simple with these easy hair routines for busy moms. A dab of light gel smooths your edges, and a little oil along your parts calms itching. Most braids and sew-ins stay fresh for one to two months, long enough to carry you through the newborn photo stage.
Shedding a few months after baby? Here is why
Many new moms notice handfuls of hair coming out a few months after delivery, and it is completely normal. The American Academy of Dermatology says the shedding tends to peak around four months postpartum, and most women see their hair fill back in by the time baby turns one. Take your style down slowly, because hair that shed while it was braided comes out all at once, and rest your edges between installs. Talk with your doctor if you are worried. You may also find our guides to wigs for postpartum hair loss and homemade remedies for postpartum shedding helpful.
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Your Questions, Answered
Which hairstyles work best for a water birth?
Anything that handles water well: knotless or box braids, two-strand twists, a wet-and-wavy sew-in or curly crochet. Leave half wigs and heat-styled looks for another day.
What should I do with my hair for a C-section?
Go low and flat so a surgical cap fits over it: flat twists, stitch braids, cornrows up front with mini twists in back, or a sew-in built on a braided perimeter. Ask your hospital whether wigs, clips or metal accessories need to come off, and advocate for yourself in the delivery room.
Is it okay to wear a wig or sew-in while giving birth?
For many hospital births, yes. A glueless wig or half wig comes off easily, and a flat sew-in is comfortable to lie on. If you are having a C-section, ask ahead of time whether a wig has to come off before surgery.
I don’t wear weave or braids. What are my options?
Wear your own hair up and toward the front: a high ponytail, one big puff, a sleek top bun or your locs swept over one shoulder. Or tie on a satin-lined scarf for zero tension.
Should I worry about synthetic braiding hair while pregnant?
It is worth thinking about. Consumer Reports found cancer-causing chemicals in every synthetic braiding hair sample it tested and lead in nine of 10 brands. Choose human hair when you can. If you go synthetic, look for brands tested for heavy metals and ask your braider to open a window or run a fan when she pours the hot water over your braids. Your doctor can answer any questions.
Which style is the most comfortable during labor?
Styles that keep the back of your head clear, like stitch braids, flat twists, a halo braid, two side braids or a bun on top.
When should I schedule my hair appointment?
Between weeks 35 and 37, or about seven days before a planned C-section or induction.
What do I tell my stylist?
Let her know you are pregnant and want soft tension at your hairline, nothing bulky behind your head and a light length. Ask for stretch breaks. Every one of the 25 looks above includes a script you can read to her.
Hairstyle photos in this guide are AI-generated illustrations.
Post a picture of your delivery-day hairstyle in the comments below and tell us whether it held up. You might help another mom decide, and your photo could appear in our Real Moms gallery.
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