Losing hair in the postpartum period is very common. In fact, many women will experience hair loss about three months after baby’s arrival. Hair loss varies from woman to woman, but can seem excessive. This frequently causes worry among new mothers, who fear they are losing their hair.
The hair loss you are now experiencing is the natural shedding of hair that grew during your pregnancy. The hair follicles go through growth stages, including growth phases and resting and shedding phases. This is a natural process that happens to everyone. At any given time, ten to fifteen percent of the hair follicles on your head are in the resting and shedding phases.
When you are pregnant, hormonal changes result in more follicles being in the growth stage at any given time. This is partly responsible for changes in the hair during pregnancy. Many women experience growth and healthy hair when they are pregnant.
After the baby is born, the hormones in the body change again. This doesn’t happen immediately, but is a gradual process as the hormone levels return to their pre pregnancy levels. By the time the hair follicles are entering the resting stage and beginning to shed, your baby is a few months old.
The result of this natural process is more hair in the drain and your hair brush. If you have long hair, it is even more noticeable. Don’t panic. You aren’t going bald.
Most women find their hair growth cycle returns to normal, with only typical shedding, within about six months or so. It can take a bit longer, depending on your hair’s shedding cycle and how much hair growth you experienced when you are pregnant.
If shedding continues to be a problem, or you are concerned, speak to your doctor. There are a few conditions that can also result in excessive shedding. These include post partum anemia and thyroid issues. When in doubt, ask your health care provider to rule out possible problems.
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