Your baby is here, and all those quirky symptoms of pregnancy are beginning to subside. Or so you thought. Then you look down in the shower or examine your hairbrush and see clumps of hair. What’s happening? And how long will it last?
You’ve entered the postpartum period, and the shedding is normal. Here’s what you need to know.
Typically, you’ll shed around 50-100 hairs per day when you aren’t pregnant or postpartum. During pregnancy, estrogen levels keep hair growing for much longer than normal. That’s why many women experience thicker, fuller hair while pregnant.
Once you give birth, your estrogen level drops dramatically, and all of those hairs that were on hold shift to the shedding phase at once. Known as telogen effluvium, it is a normal response to hormonal shifts after childbirth.
Most women start noticing hair loss about 2 to 4 months after delivery, but others may not begin shedding for 5 to 6 months. Both timelines are considered normal. No matter when it begins, waking up with noticeable hair on your pillow or running your fingers through your mane and coming away with a handful of strands is unsettling.
Although it may be startling, try not to worry too much. The timeline matches your hair’s natural growth cycle. Hormones, not the calendar, trigger it. The hair that stopped shedding during your pregnancy needs time to reach the end of its growth phase before falling out.
Postpartum shedding tends to be heaviest around the four-month mark, although it may vary. Some women notice it at the hairline, and others may see it thinning the most at the temples.
For most women, hair loss lasts 6 to 12 months. You’ll probably notice a slowdown as things return to normal around your baby’s first birthday. Although some factors may extend your postpartum hair loss:
Around the time you resume your normal menstrual cycle, your postpartum hair regrowth starts. When it does, you’ll begin noticing wispy, baby-fine hairs coming in along your hairline. This is a good sign that regrowth has started.
There’s no way to stop postpartum hair shedding, but there are some things you can do to support healthy regrowth.
Use gentle products to wash and condition your hair.
Choose shampoos and conditioners that promote volume.
Avoid hairstyles that stress your hairline, like tight ponytails, braids, and buns.
Eat a balanced diet to make sure you’re getting enough zinc, protein, vitamin D, and iron.
Ask your doctor about supplements or continue your prenatal vitamins.
Use a light touch when styling wet hair, as that’s when hair is most fragile.
Postpartum hair loss is one of those things no one warns you about until it happens. But there’s no need to panic. Hair loss after pregnancy is very common and completely normal. However, you should check with the team at WomanCare if you experience any of the following:
Navigating the postpartum period is often difficult. You face your physical recovery, along with emotional adjustments, all while your hormones realign, and you’re caring for a newborn. At WomanCare, we support you through every stage of your postpartum recovery, including the ones no one warned you about.
If you have questions about your postpartum recovery, including hair loss, hormones, and healing, we’re here to help. Schedule a postpartum visit with WomanCare today to discuss your concerns and receive our personalized guidance.