For Pregnant Women - Coping with Hair Changes During Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be an amazing time of transition and possibility - but it can also be a time when pregnant women experience all sorts of temporary body changes that may require special care and adjustment during the months leading up to the birth of the child (and, for some women, for many months following the birth. Many pregnant women notice changes in their hair and may be challenged as to how to care for hair that is "out of the ordinary." Understanding what is going on with your hair during pregnancy may help, but adjustments to hair care will likely be necessary for the short term.

Some women experience hair loss during pregnancy - the hair actually falls out or breaks off at a much higher rate than is normal, while other women may find their hair grows faster and is fuller. The texture of hair may change during pregnancy, as well - becoming straighter or seemingly having more body than is typical. While there may not be anything that can be done to prevent these changes, there are ways to cope.

Understand that hormonal changes in the body are causing the changes in hair growth and texture. Hair that has a tendency to be dry and brittle, may become even more so during pregnancy, while hair that is inclined to be limp or greasy may also be more pronounced. If you have grown used to using a certain type of shampoo, you may need to change to one that fits your hair type during pregnancy. It may take some experimenting, but use the one that is best-suited to the current condition of your hair.

If you normally have your hair permed or colored, your doctor may suggest that you forgo the chemical treatments during pregnancy. Although the risk is slight, it is still best avoided altogether. Also, for those women who's hair becomes more brittle and fragile, and experience increased hair loss - treatments such as coloring, perming, relaxing, etc. could aggravate the condition.