It turns out that pregnancy not only changes a woman’s body but also causes some strange changes in the hair. The bad news is that after welcoming your baby, you might notice excessive hair shedding. It is an alarming discovery. But the good news is, it’s not permanent. You shouldn’t panic at all. Postpartum hair loss is completely normal. Besides, it has a lot of ways and remedies for treatment.
During pregnancy, hair becomes healthier and thicker. But one should expect a temporary phase of hair loss after delivery. It’s a very normal process.
Hormonal Changes During Pregnancy
Hormones change dramatically during pregnancy. The rise of chorionic gonadotropin, hCG, has been normal since the beginning. Other hormones like oestrogen, progesterone, oxytocin, and prolactin also rises. Blood volume increases heavily. This is the result of diet, medication, and pregnancy as well. However, after the birth of the baby, these hormones drop quickly for at least two hours. Prolactin remains high as long as you’re breastfeeding.
Effects of Hormonal Changes on Hair
Normally, 100 hair strands fall per day. But during pregnancy, the hair fall decreases. This happens due to an increase in blood volume, which causes a decrease in hair fall. As oestrogen level drops, it prompts the hair follicles to go into the resting phase. After about 100 days, hair starts to shed. In addition to hormonal changes, stress and nutrition also affect hair growth. On the contrary, by intake of prenatal vitamins, the hair can become vibrant during pregnancy.
Postpartum Alopecia
Hair fall after pregnancy is called postpartum alopecia. This happens due to fluctuation in the hormonal level. On the other side, some people blame breastfeeding for it. Till now, there is no evidence that breastfeeding causes postpartum hair loss. This is experienced by all mothers. It starts three months after childbirth, and till this time, often mothers forget that it is happening due to the pregnancy and childbirth. This hair loss is more likely to happen above your forehead. In extreme cases, this can look dramatic. It’s a completely natural and normal process.
As it is a temporary phase, it lasts for four months normally. But in some cases, it continues for more than that. Normal growth starts after six months to a year.
How to Deal with Postpartum Hair Loss?
As it is a normal process, you can’t stop it immediately. However, some steps can be taken to decrease its rate. First of all, maintain a healthy diet with essential vitamins. Eat vegetables and fresh fruits. Take nutritional supplements like vitamin C, E, zinc, and iron. You can prevent hair loss or lessen its intensity. Make sure you are doing regular exercise also. And eat a healthy diet rich in proteins.
Furthermore, it reduces the stress level, which is more likely to rise after the birth of the baby. Do not neglect postpartum depression at any cost. Change your hairstyle to a shorter one. Set your hair-care routine, and practice it regularly. Keep your hair moist and well-conditioned. During this phase, be patient while awaiting recovery. Otherwise, it can increase the stress level, which can prolong this period. However, if the hair falling does not stop after one year, contact your doctor immediately.