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Hair loss after pregnancy is can is quite common. Unfortunately for us women all our hormones are completely out of whack after we’ve had a baby. As if you don’t already have enough to deal with at this point, sleepless nights, breastfeeding, hormone changes, and hair falling out in endless clumps.
Dang… We love our babies but this is a serious issue for some women.
We have two kids and I’ll tell ya after I had each baby my hair began falling out. Like not just shedding, like it normally does every few months. I mean it was falling out in the handfuls. I’d be washing my hair and the tub would be filled with hair. My husband began thinking that I seriously had an animal in there or something.
My first Thought
At first, I was ok with it because well, being a nurse you know that your hair doesn’t shed nearly at all during pregnancy (I’ll get into that in a bit). That being said I figured “eh this is natural.”
After nearly three months my hair was still falling out by the handfuls, and being a new mom I began to think I was going bald! Or so I thought.
By this time naturally, because I tend to worry more than I should, I start to think something is truly wrong with me.
After my first baby, the shedding phase only lasted about a month and stopped. So I went to my primary doctor. I had blood tests ran, and the whole nine! All negative.
Call me crazy but to me, this was an issue. And if this has ever happened to you, which I am sure it has, it is kind of unsettling.
After all, you just had a baby and now you have this to deal with. It is OK girl! Don’t panic! This is natural and there is a natural treatment to slow it down! YAY!
What is Postpartum Alopecia
The technical term for hair loss after pregnancy is called Postpartum Alopecia. Postpartum alopecia occurs after you have a baby. Basically, during pregnancy, your hormones, estrogen, and progesterone have a tremendous increase in your body. This creates beautiful thick hair and glowing skin.
You know! All the wonderful Effects of being pregnant!
During pregnancy your hair goes into a resting phase, meaning it doesn’t shed nearly as much, and you only lose about 100 hairs a day. In all actuality, the normal person, on average, loses about 100 hairs a day. Awe how nice.
We love our hair during pregnancy! But…all good things must come to an end, unfortunately.
RESOURCE: Postpartum Hairloss Tips
Why does Postpartum Alopecia happen?
After your precious baby is born, all is well on the home front for a few weeks. You’re getting into a nice routine, breastfeeding is going ok, and your nights aren’t quite as dreadful.
Then comes the surge of hormones. Putting this into perspective for you, it’s like all of your hormones that were built up during pregnancy, came out, quite literally, with your baby.
Thus it begins, the crying (for some lucky people this may not happen), and the hair loss. Now, not all people experience significant Postpartum Alopecia. It makes me wonder honestly what the heck they did to keep their hormones level??
RELATED Content: The Real Truth About postpartum depression
For the majority of us, hair fall can begin a week to two weeks after your baby arrives. The shedding phase usually peaks around month four but can continue until your baby is around 6-8 months of age. I know your freaking out.
It’s ok I was too! It seems like a long time, believe me, I know.
But if you have the right supplements to help with hair loss you will start to notice new little hairs on your head around the hairline.
Best Products to Overcome Postpartum Alopecia
Going back to my doctor’s visit. All results were negative, as I should have known. So I began frantically searching for something to “fix” the problem that I had. Meanwhile, we were on month 4 and my hair was still falling out.
You Can Get Hair ANEW HERE
Benefits of Hair Anew
I began taking Hair Anew in November of 2014, just a few months after I had my son. After about a week I noticed a difference in my skin. After close to a month I noticed tiny little hairs starting to grow along my hairline. I was ecstatic! I also used this in conjunction with other supplements that I will get into shortly.
Hair Anew is great for mom’s postpartum, or you can take it every day as I do. The best thing about this supplement is that it has the vitamins and minerals in it that your body needs, so it restores the depleted nutrients that your body last after pregnancy.
Purchase Multi Collagen HERE
Benefits of Collagen
When I first began to notice my hair loss I immediately thought of Biotin, not collagen. The main reason being I really didn’t know there were several different types of collagen and how it was sourced. To be honest my mother in law was taking collagen when she came to visit and I started using it.
After she left I purchased this Multi Collagen Formula for myself and found the benefits of using it to be AMAZING. Let me tell you why…
Before I had my kids I was very athletic, I ran a lot and did ballet and so on. On top of that, I was very active and never sat down. Well after you have kids, life changes you and your joints. After taking this supplement, my joints stopped hurting, my hair was shiny and not dull, my skin was clearing up.
I actually noticed my skin being more hydrated and less dry. Collagen works on many levels and is a great supplement for women postpartum and to take on a daily basis.
*** Note- If you are not a fan of swallowing several pills, this product may not be for you. Try this instead!
Check out Culturelle for Women HERE
Why I Like Culturelle Women’s Probiotic
After pregnancy, many things feel off. Especially hormones and your body. When I was in labor I had what I like to call, fairly natural childbirth with my second child. I wasn’t able to get an epidural until literally 30 minutes before he was born.
I did opt for pain medication to help ease the contractions. God bless you natural mama’s! Needless to say, afterward I did get stopped up once I got home. And let me tell you how much I didn’t want to go to the bathroom (if we are being real here).
Probiotics helped me so much. I didn’t start using them until after the birth of my second child. It keeps me regular and balances my body. It also helped assist in my hair regrowth process as well as urinary health! So many cool things that probiotics are known for! Check it out here!
RELATED Content: Surprising ways to Make Your Life Easier after Baby is Born
Purchase One A Day Prenatal Vitamins Here
Common Questions/FAQ About Postpartum Alopecia
- Does Breastfeeding Cause Hair Loss?
- No. In all actuality, it may seem like it does but breastfeeding does not have anything to do with hair loss.
- Hair loss is caused by the sudden loss of hormones and the imbalance of hormones after childbirth.
- When Will my Hair grow back?
- Hair regrowth can range from 6 months to a year. You will start seeing new hair by month 4.
- Hair fall begins from week two and peaks at four months or rather, it slows down.
- Is there anything else I can do to help it grow back faster?
- Hair grows at its normal rate and speeding up the process is not easy. But taking supplements to assist with the hair regrowth cycle and eating a well-balanced meal each day can definitely help.
The Last Thing You Need to Know About Postpartum Alopecia
Postpartum alopecia is not a pleasant experience and does seem to last a long time, there are several steps you can take to increase your hair growth while still being healthy. Eating a well-balanced meal filled with protein and vegetables each day can help dramatically.
Finding time to create well-balanced meals can be a daunting task when you just had a baby.
RELATED Content: Surprising Ways to Make Life Easier after Pregnancy
