Q&A: Can pregnancy cause hair loss?

Hair, skin, and nail changes are common during pregnancy. Some moms-to-be find their hair is thicker and more lustrous, but some experience thinning.

Immediately after the baby, many new moms shed a lot of hair, to the point where thinning may be noticeable. This is due to the sudden change in hormone levels, which synchronizes the hair follicles to all go into their senescence (the end of the hair life cycle) at once. These hairs shed, but new hairs continue to form. Over four to six months, the cycle is completed, and the hair goes back to normal.

Local areas of hair thinning can be a sign of a scalp infection. Dermatologists are usually the experts in hair and scalp issues. If your hair loss seems excessive, talk to your doctor or midwife, or make an appointment with a dermatologist for consultation.