Postpartum Hair Loss
What we know:
When you were pregnant you probably enjoyed being told by friends and family how glossy your hair looked or how clear your skin was. This is due to an increase in the hormones oestrogen and androgen which give you healthier-looking hair. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and after the birth of your baby your hair will change again and at around the three months-mark it may start to fall out.
Why does your hair fall out?
The hormonal changes in your body during pregnancy cause an increase in the percentage of hair in the ‘growth’ phase. This is why women typically enjoy thicker hair for nine months.
Once you have had your baby and your hormone levels have started to return to normal, more of your hair enters the ‘resting’ phase. This phase is followed by the ‘shedding’ phase which is why new mothers find they are losing more hair than normal.
When does it happen?
It usually starts around three months after you’ve had your baby. It will be more obvious if you have long hair or your hair grew a lot during pregnancy. Your hair growth cycle should return to normal when your baby is around six months old. But if you think your hair loss is abnormal and it is still falling out at 12 months then speak to your GP. Excessive hair loss can be due to issues such as anaemia or hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone).
Is there anything I can do?
The short answer is no. You will just have to let it happen and feel reassured that it will grow back again. You may have heard new mothers talk about ‘baby hair’. This isn’t the hair on their baby’s head, but actually the short fluffy hairs that indicate regrowth of their hair which fell out earlier in the postpartum phase. It might be most obvious in the hairline around the forehead.
Experiment with different hair styles, different types of hair products and avoid using brushes or combs which may pull at the strands unnecessarily. Maintain a healthy diet and take postnatal vitamins if you think you need them.
There is some evidence that breastfeeding may delay hair loss but it is likely that your hair will still fall out at some point.
Final thoughts:
The loss of your shiny, bouncy pregnancy locks may feel like a kick in the teeth after birthing a baby but your hair will grow back. This is just another example of what your body has been through in its pregnancy and postpartum journey.
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