Hair Loss After Pregnancy

A Startling, but Normal Occurance

By Alice Langholt, published Mar 19, 2006
Published Content: 30  Total Views: 41,801  Favorited By: 2 CPs
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Pregnancy is a whole body experience. After the baby is born, the mother’s body has a lot of things to do in order to return to its usual non-pregnant state. A mother who is nursing will have a longer period of readjustment than one who is not. Still, always remember, nine and a half months up, at least the same amount of time down!

One of the most interesting things about pregnancy is the way it affects a woman’s hair. During pregnancy, the hair becomes fuller. That is because the follicles don’t release hair at the same rate as when the body is not pregnant. So, hair loss during pregnancy is not very common, and hair will usually fall out less than when a woman is not pregnant.
After the baby is born, though, the extra hair is gradually released, and hair loss after pregnancy is much more pronounced than it was before or during pregnancy. This is normal, so do not worry about it. It could take up to a year for the hair to return to its normal rate of falling out, a few strands at a time.

It can be startling to see such an increase in hair loss after pregnancy. You may find clumps of hair on the drain, or in your brush. You won’t see thin patches on your head, so don’t worry about that. You are simply releasing hair that was extra during your pregnancy. This can take a year to return to normal.

Besides hair loss after pregnancy, you may have noted other changes in your hair during pregnancy. Hormones affect the whole body, including the hair. Hair that was normally straight might suddenly begin to grow in curlier than ever during pregnancy. Or, hair that was curly may get straighter and straighter as a pregnancy progresses. It can take a year for hair to readjust to its normal thickness and straight or wavy state after the baby is born.

Besides hair loss after pregnancy, a woman might notice changes in her nails. During pregnancy, nails become notably harder. Just as there is a normal amount of hair loss after pregnancy, the fingernails will also return gradually to the way a woman had normally experienced them.

Takeaways
  • Follicles don't release hair at the same rate when pregnant. So hair is fuller and more plentiful.
  • Hair may take a year to return to its pre-pregnancy state after the birth of a baby.
  • Nursing may increase the amount of readjustment time for hormones after the baby is born.
Did You Know?
Pregnancy hormones may cause straight hair to become curly, or curly hair to become straight!
Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 14 of 14
 
 
3 months after the birth of my baby girl my hair is fallin out everywer go, everytime i touch my hair i hav a clump in my hand. You can see my scalp at each side of my head it is awfull. at least i now no its normal an im not goin completely bald.................

Posted on 08/11/2008 at 1:08:29 AM

 
My baby is 4 months old and my hair is falling out in clumps. Iam so worried and i can't wait for one year to get my hair back in normal. Its really depressing.

Posted on 04/04/2008 at 4:04:06 PM

 
I had long thick hair. Since i had my baby 5 months ago it satarted to fall off in clumps. I am starting to see patches on the front of my scalp and its scary beacuse i all ready have many problems with my body. And i just cant take it any more.Because when i gave birth to my 1st baby i develop this thing that makes me sweat its calles hydrosis and now i am starting to see patches in front of my scalp. I dont want to get bald please help if possible

Posted on 12/20/2007 at 8:12:33 PM

 
yes after I have my baby my hair is falling like creazy I thought because of breast feed ,but some one told me because of hormon change o well i can't do anythin about it

Posted on 11/06/2007 at 1:11:00 PM

 
I feel like I have the hair of an 80 year old woman. It is thin and frail and falling out with the bulbs attached. It is splitting and it's depressing.

Posted on 10/06/2007 at 9:10:00 PM

 
My hair loss is really depressing. My son is almost 5 months old, and I thought I was in the clear. I went to my doctor, an endocrinologist, and a dermatologist. I hate that fact that my hair looks like shit, feels like shit, and won't stop falling out. Maybe I should just stop nursing. Hair loss sucks!

Posted on 10/06/2007 at 9:10:00 PM

 
WOW...i thought i was going bald and there was something wrong, but now that i know that it is normal i feel relieved. It stinks that i have to wait at least a year for my hair to be normal:)

Posted on 09/24/2007 at 8:09:00 PM

 
It is crazy how much hair is lost. Hair is everywhere! I had long curly hair and now I cut it short and it has no curl! boo hoo!! It has been 5 months and I can't wait for my hair to go back to the way it was!

Posted on 09/17/2007 at 7:09:00 PM

 
OMG i am so happy thats normal. I thought i was going to be bold with the hair loss i am experiencing three months after I had the baby. My hair is long and I dont want to go to the phase of cutting them off. I am releived.

Posted on 08/22/2007 at 7:08:00 AM

 
i glad it will. Are there this i can do help with the hairloss?

Posted on 08/10/2007 at 12:08:00 PM

 
Tell me about it! As normal as it is, it doesn't make it any more pleasant of an experince, but I am glad that it will pass.

Posted on 07/13/2007 at 6:07:00 PM

 
I am just so glad it's normal..that I won't get bald after the hairloss!

Posted on 06/05/2007 at 6:06:00 AM

 
I am seeing thin patches to the left and right side of my head. I can evev see my scalp through my hair now. I have really long hair. It has taken me 10 years to get it healthy and now 4 1/2 months after having my baby it is falling out in clumps. I am worried that it is falling out more than normal.

Posted on 11/15/2006 at 7:11:00 AM

 
Whew...a sigh of relief! I thought I was about to be bald...I too am glad that it is normal. Although, I am not looking forward to this state for up to an entire year!

Posted on 11/13/2006 at 2:11:00 PM

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