Coping with Post Partum Hair Loss

#This is a collaborative post

When you have a baby there are various things you expect in the weeks and months that follow. Extreme Tiredness – check, bleeding – check, swollen ankles – check. There is a long list of symptoms that you are warned about before hand, and that are fully expected once you have welcomed your child into the world. There are a few symptoms however that no one ever seems to mention, and for me, by far the biggest shock, was post partum hair loss.

For both of my pregnancies, I benefited from the joy of thicker, glossier and fuller hair during pregnancy. It grew faster, it was shinier, and my good to bad hair day ratio seemed to tip nicely in my favour. This was GREAT.

Then, my daughters arrived and BAM. The hair loss began!

The second time I knew what to expect, but the first time it really really shocked me.

So what is post partum hair loss?

According to Kelly Mum, postpartum hair loss is a normal, and temporary postpartum change that normally begins around 3 months postpartum. Your hair growth should return to its normal cycle by about 6-12 months post partum.

Why does it happen?

Normally, your hair goes through alternating periods of growth and rest. When you are pregnant, hormonal changes lead to hair being in growth phases for longer, with more hairs growing and less shedding or resting. As such many pregnant women, as did I, experience the benefits of thicker hair.

Due to hormonal changes after birth, a larger proportion of your hair enters this resting phase. This resting phase is followed by increased shedding and hair loss.

Whilst you wouldn’t normally notice this process, the effects are exacerbated by the disproportionate growth phase you have experienced in the months prior.

From experience, I can vouch that at times, post partum hair loss can be pretty scary! Some days in the shower I would be literally pulling away strands and clumps of hair when I ran my fingers through or rinsed out my shampoo. We kept on thinking we’d had an attack of giant spiders, that later revealed themselves to be large hairballs. I blocked up sinks, clogged up vacuum cleaners, and at one stage my partner joked that I’d need a wig if the shedding didn’t let up soon. Whilst he found it amusing, it was a real worry for me, and at times I started to panic something was seriously wrong!

What can you do?

There are some ways you can help yourself through the period of post partum hair loss.

This may feel like the last thing you want to do when your hair is already falling out, but having your hair trimmed and split ends removed can actually help reduce the amount of hair loss, and improve the quality of the hair as your hormones transition. I recently had 7 inches of my hair cut off for the Little Princess Trust, and the hair loss significantly reduced as a result.
Fake it till you make it – If your hair is thinning in particular areas, then considering toppers or extensions may be the way forward. There are a wide range of affordable human hair wigs and toppers and hair extensions on the market these days, and toppers in particular can not only hide the areas of hair loss, but make your hair appear fuller and add volume too.
Consider Hair Growth Shampoos, Conditioners and Hair Growth Supplements – there are a number of hair growth shampoos and conditioners on the market, as well as supplements that can be taken to encourage additional hair growth. Whilst they are not an overnight fix, regular use can reduce the timescales in which your hair growth returns to normal, or at least reduce the impact of any shedding during this time.
Avoid over-styling – you hair is more likely to shed faster if you are damaging the hair, so be careful not to over style, use excessive heat, or generally ‘mess’ with your hair – try tying your hair back if you can or find a style that helps you resist the temptation to pull at it. If you use hair straighteners, consider using a heat protective spray or ones with a coconut oil coating to protect the hair.
Eat Well – remember that healthy hair needs a healthy diet – fruit, vegetables and lots of water – even more important when looking after your post pregnancy body.
Get a hair drain stopper to catch your shedding hair – whilst it might not be nice to see how much hair you are losing in the shower, it will prevent the need for expensive drain unblockers (and in my case, it definitely stopped the other half from moaning at me!)
Try not to panic- unfortunately as this is a hormonal change, there is very little you can do to stop it – and essentially you have to just let it run its course. That said, if your hair loss becomes excessive or continues for longer than 12 months post partum, you may want to talk to your GP to be on the safe side.