Pregnancy is a beautiful journey with many physical changes; some may be irritating while others so appealing you’d want to maintain them. However, despite many uncomfortable changes like Swelling and developing of stretch marks, gestation has beautiful changes that you can never shy away from such as a glowing skin and beautiful hair. It’s a thing of joy to know that a woman’s most beautiful, long and thick hair is grown within the gestation period of hair loss after pregnancy.
During the second trimester of pregnancy, a woman’s body produces high level of estrogen and progesterone hormones which grants the hair more follicles for a healthier, shinier and hydrated look. The hair can also become curly and thicker depending on your hormonal functions.
However, every expectant mother should seize this moment as the hair development never last for long, at least not after delivery. In a matter of time the growth cycle reclines to normalcy. This mainly happens during breastfeeding when the hormones responsible for the follicles may have packed, and left.
Research has it that every nursing mother in the late stages of incorporating supplements loses approximately 100 hair strands daily even though it does not happen at once. This means that the extra hair developed during gestation is lost during postpartum, you certainly won’t go bald, but will restore to normalcy.
Asides restoration of the hair growth hormones, what else causes hair loss?
Accumulated stress
The up and down running that comes with handling a new baby can be really stressful. It impacts your body negatively hence interfering with your health condition and hair cycle.
Drifted iron levels
An expectant mothers iron requirement shoots by 9 mg per day that is from 18 mg to 27 mg only to drop back to 18 mg after delivery. This depreciation happens when the body still needs more iron than it produces and reflects mostly in the hair.
Medication side effects
Every drug has its side effects, and some do not sit well with the hair and hence the shed off, talk to your doctor and know what’s in your drug.
Thyroid Dysfunction
A dysfunctional thyroid means a frequent shift in hormone production; it can either be adequate or less. When this disruption touches on the T3 and T4 hormones it definitely affects the hairs’ development hence hair loss after pregnancy
Dehydration
Water is an essential nutrient to the hair; it lubricates the follicles causing a mass distribution on the scalp for stimulated growth. Lack of water simply means a rough, dry and lifeless hair.
Myth: Many associate breastfeeding with hair loss after pregnancy However, there is no certified research that gives a thumb up to this theory. No chemistry exists between breastfeeding and hair loss. Even though postpartum hair loss happens during breastfeeding, it is a natural process and the later has nothing to do with it.
Even though some hair may be regained after the baby’s first birthday, it’s always good to have measures in place on how to control massive hair loss.
Hair loss precautions include:
Quality hair care
A good regimen saves a rainy day, and the seeds you sow determine what you reap. Your follicles are most fragile when they get to their resting phase (also known as ‘telogen’) and can be easily dislodged. This is the time to be extremely careful with your hair to avoid excess shedding. Avoid tight styling, excess combing or brushing, rough rubbing during wash and heat drying. Be gentle when holding the hair and sleep on silk bonnets and pillowcases.
Maintain a healthy diet with nutritional support
As much as hormonal changes are not avoidable, the demands that come with it may shake your nutritional balance which then affects your hair circle. To avoid siphoning of energy from all the functional organs which in the long run interferes with the hair growth, make sure you upgrade to a healthy intake. Always have your focus on a balanced diet filled with plenty vegetables, protein packed foods, foods rich in vitamin A , C & E, foods high on zinc, fruits and definitely fluids.
Stay off stress
Cortisol, the number one stress hormone is known for its negative impact on the hair cycle, this accumulated with the after delivery hormonal changes completely ruins the hair. Stress levels may shoot due to either postpartum depression or motherhood chronicle and may cause you more harm than good. Try yoga, massage, meditation or long walks and jogging. Do whatever works for you and reduce your stress levels.
Easy and comfortable hair styles
Managing shorter hair is much easier as all it requires is a light brushing and you are good to go. On the other hand, longer hair needs more maintenance and styling which may either make or break the hair depending on the force applied to it. Hair is managed from the roots and when you have it tightly fixed you increase its changes of breakage cause of the pressure. Choose styles that are easy and loose and for easy maintenance and compatible growth, keep it tacked in for less disturbances, this means you can either soft braid it or weave it.
Enhance your volume
Find a suitable hair regimen that capitalizes on growth. It should be gentle on the hair and made of natural products that are safe for both you and the baby. Also keep the hair well moisturized to motivate growth.
Stay hydrated and be patient
We all know that water is life and consuming less of it may have a negative impact on your hair by causing breakage, dryness, split ends and daunted growth. It’s also important to note that every hair shaft has a ¼ percentage of water so the more you drink the more you feed it. The hair growth and maintenance is mainly based on what we feet on, have the right intake, and allow it time to adjust.
In life, some things are simply beyond human control and you can only do too much. If you try all in vain, take a rain check and do not fret. With time, it will shape up; postpartum hair loss after pregnancy is temporary and will surely get back to normal.