Hair Loss During Pregnancy

Hair loss during pregnancy happens for many reasons and some are preventable. Let's find out more.

Pregnancy is such a wonderful part of womanhood. It is so elating especially for first-time mothers. Sushmita Sen once said, “The essence of being a woman is to bear a child”. But to bear a child, you must also bear some unwanted body changes and this does not exempt our hair.

Causes of Hair Loss in Pregnancy

Normally, the increased estrogen level keeps our hair in good health but this does not apply to all. Some women have minimal hair loss that they can hardly notice while for some women, it can be a disturbing experience of excessive hair loss. It really varies to different women as well as it also varies from pregnancy to pregnancy. You might not experience hair loss during your first birth but it does not necessarily mean you won’t be experiencing it in your second birth and so forth.

How does it happen? This happens due to several factors like hormonal imbalance, mineral and vitamin deficiency and over productive or underactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism).

What You Can Do About Pregnancy Hair Loss

While the latter can be treated, there are still some other ways to decrease the chances of hair loss during pregnancy. That is, if you will do the following:

Avoid tying your hair too tight as in pigtails, braiding or curling your hair into tight hair rollers.

Eat fruits and vegetables rich in flavonoids and anti-oxidants.

Use mild shampoo and conditioners ideally with silica and biotin contents.

Avoid drying your hair with hot blowers.

Take vitamins and biotin supplements.

Consult your doctor to ensure that you and you’re baby is in the peak of health.

Solutions for Hair Loss During Pregnancy

Hair loss may be one of pre-partum depression of pregnant women. Some feel ugly and unwanted. As it is stressful and embarrassing for us women, we could still take steps to treat this positively.

Step 1: Consult your doctor so he can check and reassure you that there is nothing to worry about.

Step 2: Consider having a new look or a haircut. If you have a long hair, thinning will be very obvious so cutting it into short and chunky layers will add volume to your hair. You may also accessorize it with hair pins and head band for a change.

Steps 3: Learn to cope with anxiety and stress as this also increase the amount of hair loss. Remember that this is only temporary and your healthy hair would grow back again in 6-12 months.

Hair loss during pregnancy could mean sacrificing our beauty for some time but it would never equate the joy of bringing your newborn into the world.

Disclaimer: This article is not be taken as medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor.