Will pregnant women with long hair take away nutrition from the fetus?

□ Popular Science Times reporter Wu Qiong Luo Chaoshu Recently, the topic "National Health Commission refutes the rumor that keeping long hair during pregnancy will steal nutrition from the baby" has become a hot search on Weibo. Some netizens believe that "pregnant women need to cut their hair short so that they will not steal nutrition from the fetus in their belly." Is there any scientific basis for this statement? In this regard, the reporter interviewed Lei Lei, deputy chief physician of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Shanghai Oriental Hospital.
Hair length has nothing to do with nutrient consumption. "Pregnant women with long hair will not compete with the fetus for nutrients. In fact, there is no direct relationship between hair length and nutrient consumption." Lei Lei said that human hair is mainly composed of hair follicles, hair roots, and hair shafts. The only part that needs nutrition is the hair follicles. However, the amount of nutrients consumed by hair follicles is very small, and it metabolizes every minute and every second, which has nothing to do with the length of hair. Among the components of hair, the hair shaft will grow longer. It is a dead cell with no metabolic function, and naturally will not consume nutrients.
"The only advantage of cutting your hair during pregnancy is that it is easier to take care of." Lei Lei said that instead of worrying about the pregnant woman's hair follicles and the fetus "competing for food", it is better to learn more about how to scientifically supplement nutrition for the fetus.
The more pregnant women eat, the healthier the fetus <br /> The birth weight of a newborn depends on the mother's nutritional absorption during pregnancy, so it is crucial for pregnant women to maintain correct eating habits and balanced nutritional intake for the normal growth and development of the fetus in the womb.
Many people think that the more a pregnant woman eats, the bigger and healthier the baby will be. Lei Lei said this is a misunderstanding.
In order to ensure the nutrition of the fetus, what points should pregnant women pay attention to in their diet? "First of all, from the first three months of pregnancy to the early stage of pregnancy, folic acid should be continuously supplemented." Lei Lei said that pregnant women also need to supplement iron and should often eat iron-rich foods such as red meat, animal blood and liver. Those with severe iron deficiency should take appropriate iron supplements under the guidance of a doctor.
During pregnancy, metabolism increases and thyroid hormone synthesis increases, resulting in a significant increase in the need for iodine. Pregnant women can choose iodized salt, or eat iodine-rich seafood such as kelp, seaweed, and marine fish once or twice a week.
From the second trimester, the fetus grows faster and demands more energy, protein, calcium, iron and other nutrients. Therefore, during the second and third trimesters, it is necessary to increase the intake of milk, fish, poultry, eggs and lean meat for pregnant women.
"Expectant mothers who suffer from severe morning sickness do not need to be too anxious. They can eat small meals frequently and make sure to consume an appropriate amount of carbohydrate foods." Lei Lei emphasized that if a pregnant woman eats too little or has very severe morning sickness, it is recommended to seek medical help as soon as possible.