If you are pregnant, you know your body is changing rapidly. There is no doubt that many of these are very good. However, some of them, like hair loss, can be very worrisome to you. It is estimated that 90 percent of your hair is growing at one time. The other 10 percent is in a resting phase. When you are pregnant, the chemicals in your body change to accommodate your baby's growth. And, in many cases, this can lead to hair loss. What you may not realize, though, is that your hair is just moving from one phase to the next. Once you understand what this means and why, you'll be able to breathe a bit easier.
Is It Normal to Lose Hair During Pregnancy?
As mentioned, about 90 percent of your hair is growing at one time. Every two to three months, the 10 percent of your hair that is in the resting phase falls out (of course, this is not all at once or all on one day!) This falling out or shedding is normal and it allows new hair to grow in its place. For women who are pregnant, this hair loss speeds up and tends to happen in a more dramatic fashion. It is not uncommon. About 40 to 50 percent of women who are pregnant are impacted by this type of hair loss. The good news is that this is just going to happen during pregnancy. It is only temporary in most women.
It is important to know that most hair loss related to pregnancy happens after delivery. It is more common for women to see an increased amount of hair during pregnancy. How does this happen? During the months you are pregnant, many additional hairs will enter the resting phase. This is a part of the normal transition due to hormone changes. Simply, you'll find you have thicker hair during pregnancy. Then, once you give birth, you'll likely lose more hair than you normally would in the months after. This usually will change in the three to four months after your delivery. This is not due to any type of problem.
What About Hair Loss That's Significant During Pregnancy?
If you have a lot of hair loss during pregnancy, which is more than normal, it may indicate some level of deficiency of nutrients. It is a good idea to talk to your doctor about this as it could mean your body is depleted of nutrients. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can happen often in women who are pregnant because the demand is higher for the body during this time (since your nutrient intake needs to meet your needs and your body's needs.)
When Will Things Get Back to Normal?
So the big question many women have is when will it get back to normal? The good news is that you should start to see your hair become more normal after your delivery. Most women will see a significant loss at three to four months after they have given birth. In fact, you may see as much as 60 percent of your hair enter that resting phase during the pregnancy - which equals to a pretty substantial amount of hair that you could lose afterwards.
Usually, after the peak of hair loss in those three to four months after, your hair will begin to normalize. Most women report that within six months, their hair is back to their normal thickness. In some women, it can take up to 12 months for this to occur especially if they are breast feeding.
While this may be the case, you still need to pay attention to your body and what it is telling you throughout pregnancy. If you have a lot of hair loss during your pregnancy, talk to your doctor about it. You may need nutrients. In addition, if you find that you have bald spots or areas of significant thinning, consult your doctor. Most women, though, will see their hair normalize within just a few months of giving birth. That means you do not have to worry about hair loss that you are experiencing either during or after your pregnancy. If it has been a year since you have given birth and you feel your hair has not returned to normal, consult a hair loss professional.
