Causes of Hair Loss After Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an experience that involves the entire body.  After the birth of the baby, the mother’s body goes through many changes in order to return to its pre-pregnant state.  A nursing mother will have a longer period of readjustment than one who is not. These bodily changes are the causes of hair loss after pregnancy.

Pregnancy has a very definite affect on a woman’s hair.  The hair becomes fuller during pregnancy.  Hair loss during this time is not very common -- hair usually fall out less than when a woman is not pregnant.  

Hair follicles do not release hair at the same rate as when the body is not pregnant.  However, after the baby is born,  the extra hair is gradually released, and hair loss after pregnancy is much more pronounced than it was before or during pregnancy.  Hair loss after pregnancy is normal,  and it is nothing to be alarmed about.  Sometimes it takes up to a year after pregnancy for the hair to return to its normal rate of falling out, a few strands at a time.

It can be quite disturbing  to see such an increase in hair loss after pregnancy.  Don't be surprised to see clumps of hair in the drain, or in your brush.   After pregnancy, your body is simply releasing hair that was extra during your pregnancy, so you won’t see patches of thin hair on your head. . 

Besides hair loss after pregnancy, there are other changes you probably noticed about  your hair during pregnancy.  Hormonal changes during pregnancy affect the whole body, including the hair.  Hair that was normally straight might suddenly begin to grow in curlier during pregnancy.  Or, hair that was curly may get straighter and straighter as the pregnancy progresses.  Again, it can take a year or so for hair to readjust  and reach  its normal thickness and straight or wavy state after the baby is born.

Some women notice changes in fingernails and toenails.  During pregnancy, nails become notably harder.  Just as there is a normal amount of hair loss after pregnancy, the fingernails will also gradually return to their normal way of looking and feeling.

So, be prepared for changes in your body after the birth of your baby. All of these changes are to be expected -- hair loss after pregnancy as well as changes in hair texture and finger and toenails. They should not be a cause of worry. They are normal, and are the result of your body's hormones gradually readjusting to their normal pre-pregnancy levels. 

Note: Hormones affect many parts of the body, including hair, nails, milk production, ovulation, moods, and menstruation. 

For more information about hair loss, causes and treatment, see:

Hair Loss in Men - Natural Remedies for Treatment
Menopause and Hair Loss - Just One of Many Causes 
Natural Hair Loss Remedies - Herbs, Hair Loss Recipes
Hair Loss Causes and Treatment - Information and Solutions
Hair Loss Causes - What To Do About It
Hair Loss In Women - Prevention and Treatment
Hair Loss - Hair Loss Help
Grey Hair - Causes and Treatment
Hair Loss Prevention - With Vitamins and Minerals
Hair Loss Solution - Stop Hair Loss With Aromatherapy
Natural Hair Loss Treatment - Prevent Men's Hair Loss
Thinning Hair - How To Disguise Hair Loss
Hair Loss Information - The Many Causes and Treatment
American Hair Loss Council - Information and Solutions
Medline Plus - Resource Hair Loss Information Site