How Birthing Braids Have Become A Ritual Of Self-Care & Ease For Black Moms-To-Be

As more Millennial Black women stop getting relaxers and have to maintain their natural hair, more of us choose protective styles like braids, twists, and faux locs during pregnancy and postpartum because we inherently know it’s going to provide us with ease in one area of our lives as we transition into the whirlwind of motherhood.

“It’s quite as much a part of nesting as folding baby clothes and setting up the baby nursery,” Bryant says. “I also have seen the other side though, where some of my pregnant moms may need to be induced early due to an acute onset of a medical problem. Sometimes patients will say, ‘But doc, I’m supposed to get my hair braided next week,'” Bryant continues.

Though this may seem silly to some, not being able to get your protective style done before birth is a source of anxiety for many moms-to-be. Dr. Ashley Smith-Purviance, Black studies professor and first-time mom, says, “I didn't want my water to break before my appointment came, and I was anxious that I wouldn't be able to get my hair braided. I was trying to think of an alternative style I could put in a ponytail.”

At first mention, it may seem like a superficial concern, but as Dr. Sherryann Taylor-Santos, OBGYN and mom of two, says, “Braids, protective styles, help mothers feel polished and put-together, confident and enables them to show up as their best selves, even amidst sleep deprivation and exhaustion.” Valencia Carillo of Perfect Hair, a mom of two, agrees, “I felt at ease knowing I was able to have a style that wouldn’t take away from my new position and still feel good about myself while doing so.”

As a Black woman, so many other fears and stressors arise around pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, so in true form, we try to mitigate as many of those stressors as possible. “Not having to worry about my hair during the postpartum recovery period was a huge relief. I couldn’t imagine having to comb my hair every day while healing and caring for my newborn,” Sallis says. Additionally, our hair is a huge part of our identity, and being able to revisit certain styles that remind us of our youth or new beginnings allows us to reconnect to ourselves as well. “I think that's a very unique experience for Black women as well because of our connections to our hair,” says Smith-Purviance.

Carillo adds, “I definitely saw it while growing up which explains why even before pregnancy and birth, my love for braids was there so being able to turn to it during pregnancy just made it that much sweeter.” Santos adds, “The ritual of hair braiding can be both grounding and empowering. It provides a connection to their personal identity and heritage as a Black woman.” MyLin Stokes Kennedy, creator, and mom of three, says, “It symbolized freedom and strength. It provided me with more time and less worry.”

"The ritual of hair braiding can be both grounding and empowering. It provides a connection to their personal identity and heritage as a Black woman."

Birthing is a sacred journey that is not only experienced by the mother, but her community as well, and protective styles are an aspect of that community support that is not often talked about. Carillo says, “It’s one of the best calls I get as a braider and was one of my best calls to make as a mother-to-be.” Smith-Purviance says, “I had built a relationship with my hairstylist; she knew I wanted to have a baby; she knew my experience in trying to have a baby and then once I was pregnant we were able to just share that experience too, and that became extremely special.”

This type of community and support is a vital component of postpartum care. Santos says, “The connection of familiar and cultural practices into the labor, birthing, and postpartum transition to motherhood provides a sense of peace for my patients.” Stokes Kennedy says, “I think that the ritual of birthing braids holds so much symbolism and provides the birthing person with ease during the birthing process.”

Bringing life into this world is a miraculous experience that comes with many layers of adjustment and recalibration. As Black women, protective styles give us one additional method of ensuring we can focus on our newborn and ourselves as Sallis says, “Motherhood was a new journey and one that I had prayed for and was beyond prepared for. It was important to me that I took care of myself first before the baby arrived.”

Protective styles also provide us with an anchor to who we were before becoming mothers and give us space to see ourselves. Bryant says, “It’s nice to look at yourself in the mirror and see a hairstyle that makes you feel pretty. Especially as you are watching your body change in such drastic ways.”

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