Wombsister Nikki, For overall reassurance, yes this is a variation of normal during pregnancy, but not a normal that you have to live with forever, you CAN support your body through this transition while gently flowing through this phase of pregnancy
Hair Loss During Pregnancy: Telogen Effluvium
Approximately 90% of your hair is growing at any one time, while the other 10% enter a resting phase. Every two to three months the resting hair falls out and allows new hair to grow in its place.
Telogen effluvium is the excessive shedding of hair that occurs one to five months into and following pregnancy. Hair loss during pregnancy is not uncommon, as it affects somewhere between 40 to 50% of women; but like most changes during pregnancy, it is temporary.
Does pregnancy cause abnormal hair loss?
Hair loss that is connected to pregnancy usually occurs after delivery. During pregnancy, an increased number of hairs go into the resting phase, which is part of the normal hair loss cycle.
This condition is not serious enough to cause bald spots or permanent hair loss, and it should begin to diminish within 3-4 months after delivery. If you feel that you are experiencing unusual hair loss while you are pregnant, this may be due to a vitamin or mineral deficiency. Which you should address with your provider do have bloodwork done and adjust your diet/supplementation accordingly.
Postpartum, new moms are seen to lose chunks of hair just after a couple of months from the baby's delivery.
Everyone experiences some kind of hair loss on a daily basis. This is because the percentage of hair that actively grows is 90 percent and the rest 10 percent is just in a resting stage. And it is this 10 percent that sheds off regularly.
But in the prenatal stage, the mother's body experiences a significant rise in estrogen levels which in turn stimulates greater percentage of hair to enter the active growth phase.
Estrogen improves the blood flow to the scalp region and causes the hair to get proper nutrition. Thus, the hair health seems to improve in the, soon to be, mothers. It adds more lustre and volume to their hair.
However, just after 3-4 months of the delivery, the estrogen level drops drastically in the body and a huge fraction of hair enters the resting phase again. This causes postpartum hair loss.
However, this is only a temporary effect and it is nothing to worry about. Though you may not get that extra lustrous hair that you developed during pregnancy, you will surely grow back your old natural hair.
How Long Does It Last?
This hair loss is not permanent. It only lasts for about 3-8 months. In some extreme cases it may go up to the first birthday of the baby but never more than a year.
However, the intensity of hair fall may vary in different mothers. Some may experience it more than the others and the long haired ones may suffer more hair loss.
Also, if it is coupled with other health issues or any nutritional deficiencies, one might take longer to recover.
When Should You Visit A Doctor during Pregnancy/Postpartum?
If you feel that you are experiencing unusual hair loss while you are pregnant, this may be due to a vitamin or mineral deficiency, consult your medical provider.
The first sign of postpartum hair loss is the site of bigger hair clumps in your comb. Frequent clogging of drains due to hair fall is another sign to observe. However, in most women it reduces by a year or even less than that.
But if one feels some alarming issues like patches of head getting bald or the condition lasting for more than a year, they should visit a doctor.
The doctor will determine if it is a simple postpartum issue or deeper imbalance occurring.
Some Other Issues Leading To Postpartum Hair Loss
Anemia and postpartum thyroiditis are some other health conditions leading to these symptoms. Thyroid levels are affected during pregnancy and this can also lead to hair shedding. Both of these root causes are treatable.
Possible Remedies for pregnancy and postpartum hair loss
Though this condition is not here to stay for too long, you might still want to cure it as fast as possible. Well, this can be done through certain simple changes in your regular diet.
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Including Iron And Zinc In Your Diet
Iron deficiency leads to anemia and this may add to your loss. Zinc helps keep the oil glands intact and enhance their role in hair growth. Beans, lentils, sesame seeds, oysters and chickpeas can help overcome this deficiency.
Fenugreek Water Rinse
Fenugreek seeds need to be soaked overnight in water and the next day, the water must be applied on the scalp. This can promote faster growth of the hair and help restore the lost hair.
Oil Massage For The Scalp
Using a lukewarm natural oil to massage your head can serve really well in this state. It increases the blood circulation in the scalp and thus improves hair quality and growth.
Dry Fruits
These are rich in Omega-3 which includes beneficial proteins and nutrients for the hair follicle.
Hair Packs
A homemade hair pack made using egg whites and olive oil can be applied on the head. This can to a large extent improve the hair health after pregnancy.
Things To Avoid
While you may not be able to immediately stop prenatal/postpartum hair fall, you can surely reduce the hair fall just by avoiding the few things mentioned below:
Frequent Combing
While it is a good way to activate the scalp for better blood circulation, at this stage you cannot afford to do so. This can lead to a maddening level of hair fall if done more frequently than necessary.
Using Shampoo Too Often
This leads to more hair clogging your drains. As the hair is more prone to breaking at this stage, you must be quite judicious with these and should avoid unnecessary hair wash.
Using A Conditioner
A conditioner weighs down your hair and makes it look thinner. It also leads to unnecessary pressure applied to the hair which may lead to even more hair fall.
Hair Blowers
As these create heat, it can aggravate the scenario and lead to greater hair loss. You Must avoid these and go for natural hair drying methods.
Tight Hairstyles
Tightly tying your hair at this stage might lead to easy breakage of hair as the hair is more brittle at this stage.
Stress
Stress can cause greater loss. Remember, this phase of hair loss is only temporary and you should try to lower your stress levels. Try meditation or drink chamomile tea to help with that.
