About 90%  of your hair grows at one time and the remaining 10 % enter a resting phase. The resting hair falls out after every  2 to 3 months and is replaced by new strands. Pregnant women usually enjoy thick hair but some women experience hair loss especially during the first 5 months of pregnancy.

Hair loss usually occurs after delivery. The rise in  hormonal levels during pregnancy keep your hair from falling out. The hormones return to normal after delivery which causes hair to fall out and return to the normal cycle. All the hair loss that was delayed during pregnancy may all fall out at once. This condition is not permanent and should go away about 3 months after delivery. However,  if you are experiencing hair loss during pregnancy, it may be due to a vitamin or mineral deficiency or other reasons.
 

 

Reasons for hair loss during pregnancy ?

 
Hair loss during pregnancy may be due to the following reasons :

Deficient in vitamins and minerals : Your nutritional needs change during pregnancy to accommodate the growing size of the baby, Many pregnant women become deficient during pregnancy because they don’t have enough iron to cater for their growing blood supply. Low iron levels (anemia), not eating enough protein and deficient in minerals such as vitamin A can result in hair loss during pregnancy.

Other causes of hair loss during pregnancy include :

• hormonal imbalance
• medical conditions such as diabetes
• certain medications used to treat high blood pressure , depression and anxiety

How to manage hair loss during pregnancy ?

 
Hair loss is not a medical emergency. It is however important to find out the cause of your excessive hair loss and treat the underlying condition. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing excessive shedding of hair. Other ways you can avoid hair loss include :

• avoiding tight hair styles such as tight ponytails, cornrows and braids
• don’t over brush your hair
• eat foods high in fruits and vegetables. These contains flavonoids and antioxidants which may offer protection to hair follicles and simulate hair growth
• be gentle to wet hair because it is fragile
• avoid the use of blow dryers and other heat instruments

 
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