Why Hair Falls After Delivery

The shedding often becomes noticeable some months after birth rather than immediately. It tends to be diffuse across the scalp, with extra strands seen during washing or brushing.

Pregnancy hormones can keep more hairs in their growing phase. After delivery, hormone levels change and many of those retained hairs enter a resting phase together, then shed later. The follicles are usually still capable of producing new hair.

Childbirth, interrupted sleep, illness, major stress, reduced food intake, iron deficiency, and thyroid problems can overlap. A clinician uses the pattern, scalp examination, medical history, and selected blood tests to separate these possibilities.

Handle wet hair gently, loosen tight hairstyles, reduce high-heat styling, and eat regular meals containing protein and varied nutrient sources. Avoid starting high-dose supplements simply because hair is shedding; excess nutrients can also cause problems.

Photograph the same parting in similar light every few weeks instead of counting individual hairs. Note fatigue, heavy menstrual bleeding, restrictive eating, scalp symptoms, or medicines, because these details help a clinician assess contributing factors.

Arrange an assessment if hair loss forms smooth patches, the centre part progressively widens, or the scalp is painful, scaly, inflamed, or broken. These patterns can occur with conditions other than postpartum telogen effluvium.

Seek review as well if shedding remains heavy without signs of regrowth, or if it accompanies marked tiredness, weakness, palpitations, weight change, or intolerance to heat or cold. Those symptoms can guide testing for anaemia or thyroid dysfunction.

Ask whether the distribution fits telogen effluvium, whether the scalp shows inflammation or miniaturisation, and whether blood tests for iron status, blood count, or thyroid function suit your symptoms. Mention breastfeeding and future pregnancy plans before discussing any medicine.