Postpartum Complications - They Aren't All About Depression

By Krissy Lanni

As a first-time mom-to-be, the biggest question in your head is which crib will look prettier in the nursery? The wooden ones or the white ones? I'm sure you're also having trouble picking out only seven of the ten baby outfits to buy!

But, if you're a single mom, your situation probably goes a little more like this: "Will I have the money to buy a stroller and car seat before the baby is born?"

All the information online for pregnant women seems to be about taking care of yourself during pregnancy. Eating healthy, exercising, writing a birth plan, hiring a doula; but does anyone ever prepare you for the physical complications you may face after? A good gynecologist may do this, but don't even depend on that. Family members and friends are so proud of you because you made it through the delivery; they leave you on your own and say everything is back to normal now. But, pay special attention to the small signs telling you it isn't.

If you are a single mom, the best thing you can do for you and your baby is set up a support team before the baby arrives. Not every woman's body naturally falls back into its pre-pregnancy state. Postpartum thyroid problems and hormone imbalances are way too common. Unfortunately, your gynecologist may never make you aware of these possibilities. If you develop one of these postpartum complications, you may not even recognize it; a strong support person will notice the things you miss.

Postpartum complications aren't all about depression; but sleep deprivation, a hormone imbalance, or thyroid problem can actually cause it! All of those physical complications can cause a brain fog; add the challenge of being a first-time mother to the list and your thinking is going to get as foggy as an early morning drive on the highway! This is why it is extremely important to have a supportive person with who you regularly communicate; be open with them about anything happening physically or emotionally difficulties you are experiencing. Once you experience severe sleep deprivation, it quickly hinders your ability to make decisions and think clearly; your support person will need to be knowledgeable.

Choosing a support person is like a game of "Red Rover": deciding who you want on your team. The person you pick will ultimately make you stronger or weaker. The only difference is your choice in "Red Rover" results in merely a win or loss; your choice in a support person affects you much more.

For instance, it may not be wise to choose the person who sits through an entire television show and the next day cannot remember anything they watched! Also, someone who is stubborn and makes quick assumptions based on their own knowledge or lack thereof will only want to fight during a crisis. Please do not choose a support person who does not take what you say seriously.

Characteristics of a strong support person are someone who is smart, insightful, researches things, assertive, wants you to succeed, listens, encourages you to face your fears, and takes charge. A strong support person also seeks to understand and will hear what you are saying without making assumptions. A great support person would be someone who thinks for themself and tends to question those in authority rather than blindly accepting something at face value.

You have wanted to be a mother all your life; you had that beautiful baby for a reason. So you could raise her, of course! I want to ensure you can do just that! Here are some of the symptoms both you and your support person should watch for which may indicate a postpartum hormone imbalance or thyroid problem:

o INSOMNIA (Waking up many times during the night for no reason, trouble falling asleep initially, trouble getting back to sleep, or waking early, sudden inability to sleep during the day anymore. Before you were pregnant, it was normal to sleep the whole night through without waking. As long as your baby is sleeping through the night, that is still considered normal! Something else besides your baby is causing you to wake up and that means something isn't right.)

o Frequent urination (don't write this off thinking it is a bladder infection)

o Night sweating (Waking up drenched in sweat)

o Inability to tolerate the cold (Inability to get warm with many blankets, need more winter jackets than those around you in cold weather and still cold, freezing feet at night, always seem to be colder than those around you. Pay extra attention to this if it used to be normal for you to go without a jacket in 50-degree weather)

o Allergies (morning sneezing, runny nose, etc.)

o Pressure in the neck (may feel like swollen glands)

o The neck is tender when someone touches it

o Tight feeling around the neck (You feel the desperate need to pull on your shirt in search of relief though you aren't wearing a turtle neck)

o Lose postpartum weight extremely fast or just rapid weight loss without dieting

o Extremely dry hair (you wonder if you need a new Chi since it isn't making your hair smooth anymore. Here is a clue: It might not be the Chi!)

o Skin suddenly becomes very dry and starts peeling

o Hair loss (Women generally lose hair postpartum. If you are aware of that fact and have a gut feeling you are losing way too much, don't ignore it.) Especially if you are losing so much you're getting bald spots!

o Diarrhea

o FATIGUE

o Bruises

o Memory loss and word-finding difficulty (Continually talking about your baby while calling her another family member's name throughout the course of a day could be a clue! This is a sign of low estrogen or a thyroid problem.)

o Frequent sore throats

o Anxiety

o Depression

o Unusually long or short menstrual cycles

o Pain behind the eyes

o Swollen cheeks/face

o Gaining weight while exercising and eating healthy

o Trouble swallowing

o Brain fog

o Rapid/High Heart Rate

o Trouble making decisions

o Hoarse voice

If you are experiencing any of those symptoms and have a gut feeling something isn't quite right what do you do? Make an immediate appointment with a gynecologist you trust. Also, ask each of your family members if they ever had any difficulties with their thyroid. If so, this is vital information to give your doctor. What else should you do during your visit? Ask if they are skilled in treating thyroid disorders; even slight ones. Insist on full thyroid blood tests and hormone testing.

What is the next step? If your gynecologist tells you everything is normal, find a natural doctor. Your blood tests can show your thyroid is within normal levels but the standard levels may not be your norm. A good doctor who understands the thyroid will acknowledge your symptoms along with your test results.

Don't listen to anyone who tells you just wait to see a doctor until you have insurance coverage; would you wait to take your baby to the doctor if she was sick? Postpartum hormone imbalances and thyroid problems are not to be taken lightly; the symptoms they cause are many and can quickly escalate. Get together with your support person and find a way for you to see the doctor now; the more sleep-deprived you become, the less clear your thinking will be.

Sleep loss should not be brushed off; sometimes the remedy isn't as easy as counting sheep! A postpartum hormone imbalance or thyroid problem can make it impossible for you to sleep nights at a time; leave the support people behind who don't believe something is possible just because they have never heard of it happening before. Especially if they don't take the time or make the effort to do the research to find out if it is possible! Ignorance can easily hinder your health and future.

Krissy Lanni is a writer dedicated to helping make women aware of common postpartum complications. She learned the importance of choosing a quality support team for pregnancy and the postpartum period through very sad and difficult circumstances. Her hope is through sharing her postpartum insomnia experience, struggles, and insight other women will be able to live.

    

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Krissy_Lanni

Biotin Can Prevent Post Pregnancy Hair Loss

By Greg Nilson

Many women experience hair loss within the first three months after pregnancy. It's a strange occurrence but can be easily explained. When the fetus is rapidly growing it takes a lot of vital nutrition from the mother.

As the baby grows and demands more nutrients the mother either consumes more for the baby to use or the baby actually utilizes the nutrients that the mother has in her own system.

This occurs frequently with the essential (and very unknown vitamin) biotin. As the fetus demands more biotin, the mother begins to suffer the effects of a reduced amount of biotin.

The mother has a tendency to lose hair (either permanently or temporarily) because of a lack of biotin for several months. Biotin, which was taken for the development of the baby's nervous system had been diverted from the mother.

In fact, biotin can be easily restored (if it is accompanied by the right level of minerals). When taken through supplements, biotin can increase the level of hair growth and increase the strength of hair growth as well. A lack of biotin can have an enormous effect on the strength and growth rate of hair.

If you are interested in filling in your hair growth (due to a lack of nutrition) then I would consider taking a hair supplement that contains a mixture of vitamins to help you absorb biotin. Remember, biotin shampoos do not work as biotin cannot be absorbed through the hair or the skin. If you are looking for an effective hair vitamin, there are plenty available.

Alpha Renew is the highest quality hair supplement with biotin of its kind and can prevent hair loss after pregnancy. It can be found at ttp://www.alpharenew.com

  

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Nilson

Postpartum Hypothyroidism - Signs, Symptoms and Treatments

By Willie Aris

Hypothyroidism normally occurs when the body produces insufficient thyroid hormones needed for body metabolism. Thyroid hormones are produced by the thyroid gland which is located at the base of the throat.

Postpartum hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland affecting women after childbirth. It normally occurs between 3-8 months after childbirth and is characterized by an inflamed thyroid gland. Research has shown that between 5-10 percent of women develop this disorder after childbirth, and has been identified as the major cause of postpartum depression in most women.

The cause of this condition still remains unclear but the following types of women are at risk of developing postpartum hypothyroidism. These include women with a family history of thyroid diseases, with a history of miscarriages, suffering from diabetes and arthritis, suffering from infertility, with high levels of cholesterol, and those suffering from goiter

Symptoms vary in every woman depending on the type of risk factors. The followings are some of the symptoms of this condition;

• Depression
• Weight gain
• Constipation
• Slowed heart rate
• Hair loss
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Fatigue
• Hoarse voice
• Dry skin

If you are at risk of developing postpartum hypothyroidism or diagnosed with this disorder, you need to consult your doctor for appropriate treatments. Treatment varies from one individual to another and depends on age, health and medical history of the patient, and severity of the disease. A blood test is normally carried out to measure the level of thyroid hormone, thyroxine or T4, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Treatment normally involves the use of synthetic or natural thyroid hormone medication prescribed by a doctor.

Apart from medications, you can improve your thyroid by modifying your diet. You need to incorporate certain foods into your regular diet in order to control this disorder. These include foods that are rich in iodine. Iodine is an important trace mineral needed by the thyroid gland to function properly. 

Fish, seaweed, seafood, and iodized salt are good sources of iodine. Others include selenium and tyrosine-rich foods. They are all essential for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. You should also eat plenty of fruits and vegetables regularly, and make sure to drink plenty of water every day. This will help you to lose weight associated with hypothyroidism.

It is important to seek appropriate treatments for your postpartum hypothyroidism as soon as you are diagnosed. There are various Natural Remedies For Hypothyroidism that you can start to implement to relieve you of the symptoms. 

   

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Willie_Aris

How To Handle Hair Loss

By Jim Hampton

In the past when someone had symptoms of hair loss panic usually struck. There seemed to be no solution or if there was then it was expensive. With today's treatment plans being so affordable there are some easy and simple ways to stop the loss of hair. You won't have to suffer as a result of not knowing what type of treatment will work for you.

With the trend of having well-groomed hair as a reflection of self-worth experiencing any type of hair loss can be physically and emotionally devastating. Feelings of insecurity may arise from the initial aspects of hair loss especially when socializing. The causes of a balding hairline whether the person is a male or female do not have to be a genetic issue.

Having a dramatic loss of hair that is rapid would need you to check with your doctor or a hair specialist as soon as you can. A doctor can check the condition of your hair and prescribe the proper type of treatment plan that would be suited for your hair.

There are plenty of homegrown treatments that a person can try but without proper diagnosis, they may not work as planned. Knowing the type of hair loss condition is important to identify. Getting advice from a professional who knows what type of treatment plans is the best route to take. Whether it is an issue of women that suffer from thinning hair or men dealing with their hair loss there are treatments available.

If the hair loss is not of a serious nature then minor changes can be made such as eating more nutritious foods that will provide protein to your scalp. There are medications that you can take or better yet just find out about some homegrown solutions that will work for you. That will be explained to you a bit later.

Because of the psychological impact of losing hair for the first time in your life, it is definitely an emotional problem that needs to be addressed. People are not used to losing something they have had for all their lives. Now all of a sudden there are strands of hair coming out daily in some of the cases. This type of situation needs to be dealt with immediately. Making an appointment with your doctor or a specialist is the first step to recovery. The second step is to ensure that you get enough sleep and start eating well.

Those are the basic tenets that everyone has to follow to stop the loss of hair. Reducing the stress in your life is also a good antidote to the loss of hair.

Reducing stress also dampens the emotional issues that crop up because of hair falling out. Whether the hair is thinning out or blatantly falling out this situation needs to be dealt with in a calm and directed manner.

The less stress that we have in our lives the less of everything else we will have. Not only from being overly nervous, high blood pressure to of course hair loss. Working out the root cause of hair loss can take a long time but if you end some of the basic issues that affect hair loss then it's a much easier recovery process. Living a life that is relaxed will prove to be beneficial in so many other ways as well.

Once getting into the full treatment for hair loss a lot of emphasis will be given to the foods that you eat. Iron is going to be one of the key ingredients that need to supplement your diet for your hair to start growing back. Iron is contained in a lot of foods and incorporating those foods into your diet is a great way to keep it going for a lifetime. Protein is another nutrient that is contained in foods like fish, cheese, nuts, and seeds. Nutritious meals can be planned with a focus on iron and protein to supplement the current diet that you will be on.

There will be a variety of doing-it-yourself remedies that may work. Trying these options will not interfere with any prescribed medications if you end up with that line of recovery. But remedies such as pouring green tea (cold of course) over your hair can inhibit loose hair strands from coming loose. The antioxidants contained within green tea also are a beneficial by-product that can stimulate the scalp as well.

In fact, there are some natural and healthy ways that you can try to alter the effect of hair loss where you can get the ingredients from your local store. Did you know that?

Find out how you can save a ton of money from medications to natural solutions here. You can start saving today if you want to. 

There is no reason in the world why you can't start having your hair back to its luster and vibrancy. Click here to start your recovery.

  

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Hampton

Successfully Fighting Postpartum Hair Loss

By Korbin Newlyn

Whenever hair loss happens it is an ominous occurrence, for either gender at any age. You would likely be concerned about if it happens when you're in your twenties; you would still very likely be concerned about it in your forties or even in your sixties.

Men are worried about hair loss just as women are. Losing your hair is not something one would wish for and it is actively fought by many with any possible efforts and resources.

Ways of Handling Postpartum Hair Loss

Among new mothers, postpartum hair loss is common and considered normal. This typically occurs right after childbirth and will persist until the child begins to walk. Some of the symptoms of postpartum hair loss are pretty astounding; with abrupt occurrences of clumps of hair falling out when brushing or left on the pillow after an evening's sleep; yet you can still take comfort in the fact that this is a temporary hardship.

Factors Involved

Everyone realizes that there is a sudden surge in hormones in the blood when pregnancy happens. Many changes in the body are because of the sudden gain in the blood flow, such as augmented breast size (as the production of milk starts to flow the hormones increase), changes in the reaction to tasting, smell, and requirements for food, change of skin color and so on.

This is also the period when hair is affected, although the majority of the time this is not obvious. Hair as well, responding to the increased production of hormones has less growth and falls out less, ending up in an improved more luxurious crowning glory.

After Childbirth

Nevertheless, once the child is born, there is a reduction to the normal levels that are required. At this point, the situation in the body returns to pre-pregnancy levels.

With this process, the hair will begin to behave in the same way that it was prior to the pregnancy occurring, when it is not uncommon to have roughly 50 strands per day fall out. The instant that the hormones were reduced, the added hair that grew throughout the pregnancy as well as the normal fall out rate or hair (but didn't because of the pregnancy) starts falling.

The scalp will not have the capability to support all the additional hair even normally speaking, because the mother's quantity of nutrients is channeled in the milk for the child. Therefore, the end result is postpartum hair loss.

Nevertheless, there is nothing to concern yourself about postpartum hair loss. Introduce into your diet a good quantity of the green leafy types of vegetables (lettuce, spinach, etc.) which will provide added strength to the hair and assist in its regeneration. Consult a physician prior to any major changes and begin taking vitamin supplements which would help in controlling further hair loss.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Korbin_Newlyn

Exploring Postpartum Hair Loss

By Jamie Bollig

Many women have heard of postpartum depression, but not as many are familiar with the condition known as postpartum hair loss. Hair loss after pregnancy is a very common condition amongst women. Many women begin to notice postpartum hair loss while shampooing their hair in the shower when it seems as large amounts of hair are falling out.

Pregnancy, while a wonderful experience, has a physically traumatic impact on a woman's body and can become a major cause of female hair loss. A woman's hormones fluctuate drastically before, during, and after birth. Hormonal changes in the cells in the bloodstream have a direct impact on the function of hair follicles, thus leading to postpartum hair loss.

Thankfully, female hair loss associated with postpartum hormonal changes generally only lasts a few months. Most women do not need to seek treatment for this condition as the hair will grow back after the hormone levels in the body rebalance.

Women who have thin hair before pregnancy may be especially concerned about postpartum hair loss and might want to take preventative action to avoid the condition. The use of gentle brushing techniques accompanied by very gentle hair care products is one of the best ways to avoid excessive hair loss.

Pregnant women and those who have just given birth should be especially careful to avoid the chemicals involved in hair dyeing or perming. Hair loss after pregnancy is guaranteed to become worse if the hair is exposed to these damaging ingredients.

Notably, there is not very much research detailing whether or not the chemicals in hair care products are damaging to babies. Yet another reason to stay away from these products altogether. It is recommended that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding stay away from salons altogether as breathing in the chemicals from dyes may be just as harmful as topical absorption.

Female hair loss may be caused by genetics or illness, so it is important to know if you are predisposed to hair loss before pregnancy. Unfortunately, hair loss caused by postpartum hormonal changes may only be the start of your hair loss experience. Knowing more about your odds of hair loss will leave you better equipped to deal with your unique situation.

Check with your hair care professional if you have any questions regarding your postpartum hair loss. He or she is familiar with the condition and will be able to provide additional information for dealing with your condition.

What's the #1 female hair loss treatment? Find out here:     

                     => www.EasyHairGrowth.com 

   

                Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Hair Loss After Pregnancy - How to Limit the Effects

By Melanie Vonzabuesnig

Although postpartum hair loss is common, many new moms are surprised and mystified when they experience a sudden and dramatic increase in shedding several months after delivering their new bundle of joy. Although it feels scary to see so much hair falling out, it is not uncommon for women to lose the thick, shiny locks they so proudly grew during pregnancy.

A woman's hair is often at its best during pregnancy. Some people mistakenly attribute this to the effects of prenatal vitamins, but the increased volume and beauty of a pregnant woman's hair actually comes from the dramatic hormonal surge and increase in blood circulation that occurs during pregnancy. This unique combination allows hair that would normally transition into the resting and shedding phases to stay in the growing phase longer. Normal daily shedding is greatly minimized during pregnancy, resulting in longer growing, thicker, healthier hair.

After delivery, this period of enhanced hair growth ends. The hairs that were in a prolonged growth stage shift into the resting stage. 

Three months later these "resting" hairs begin to fall out. The delayed shedding during pregnancy results in excessive shedding after delivery. In normal circumstances, excessive shedding will begin to taper off within six months, and the woman will be left with only slightly less volume than she had pre-pregnancy.

Unfortunately for some, the shedding is extreme and persistent. If the hair growth cycle is not back to normal by the baby's first birthday, it is an indication of an internal imbalance that must be identified and corrected.

In order to prevent long-lasting, severe postpartum hair loss a woman must receive optimal care after delivering a baby. The postpartum period requires additional nutritional support and adequate rest. Many women run on caffeine and very few hours of sleep while tending to their new baby. Although women are often advised to nap when the baby naps, many ignore this advice as it seems like the only time to get chores done. Paying attention to this advice, eating healthy foods and continuing nutritional supplementation may help to prevent excessive postpartum shedding.

Our modern society has forgotten or dismissed the importance of postpartum care for the new mother. In the 1950s standard postpartum hospital stays in the United States were between eight and fourteen days. During this time the mother could heal, recover and regain her strength. Hospital stays today are so short that they are often referred to as "drive-through deliveries."

Other cultures still understand the importance of pampering and protecting the new mother. In these cultures, the new mother is completely cared for by friends and relatives for thirty to forty days. Special nourishing foods and teas are prepared for her, and she is not allowed to do any work. Her entire focus is on resting and recovering from the effects of pregnancy, labor, and delivery so she will be well equipped to handle the challenges of a newborn baby.

This type of care may be extreme and unfeasible in today's society but still, we must not completely dismiss postpartum care.

Many new moms feel guilty and inadequate if they do not jump right back into their fast-paced demanding life (and right back into their pre-pregnancy clothes), but it is important to comprehend that proper postpartum care is not a luxury. It is critical and essential to the health and well-being of the mother. Ignoring this can lead to multiple imbalances and health disorders that can cause hair loss.

Without adequate rest and proper care, the postpartum woman is susceptible to nutritional deficiencies, inflammatory conditions, lowered immunity, and hormonal imbalances. Conditions such as adrenal fatigue, hypothyroidism, anemia, systemic inflammation, and autoimmune disorders can be triggered during this time. Any of these conditions can cause hair loss. Extreme care during pregnancy and after birth can help prevent these conditions from manifesting.

Although the most common hair loss condition affecting postpartum women is telogen effluvium, the onset of androgenetic alopecia can also be triggered at this time.

Extreme self-care is the best defense against postpartum hair loss. Relaxing scalp massages with warm coconut oils or nurturing essential oils can also have a positive effect. Natural treatments such as reflexology, massage, or acupuncture can also help restore balance during this time.

Information on UNDERSTANDING FEMALE HAIR LOSS is available here. Female hair loss can be improved or reversed in almost all cases. Learn about the types, causes, and natural treatments for female hair loss. Includes step-by-step information to creating your own natural hair loss remedies using essential oils and other natural ingredients through highly detailed e-books.

Melanie Vonzabuesnig used aromatherapy to successfully treat her own hair loss problem. She has become an advocate for women with hair loss issues. For aromatherapy hair loss formulas and information see: VZ BOTANICALS

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melanie_Vonzabuesnig

Postpartum Hair - Understanding and Overcoming It

By Tatiana Jerome

During pregnancy, women experience an array of emotional and bodily changes that can be credited to pregnancy hormones. It is with pregnancy hormones that many women seem to experience hair that grows at a much faster rate and even has hair that appears thicker. 

The problem comes when the pregnancy is over and the hormones return back to normal. It is during this time that women will enter a telogen phase (this is the third part of a hair cycle where hair falls out or sheds). This phase is known to most mothers as the postpartum shed. 

The hair of this phase normally stays on the head for about 100 days before it falls out. Post-partum hair loss often begins at around the third to the fourth month after the birth of the baby and can last from a few months to a year for some women. Many times women have a feeling that they are going bald because of them getting used to the thicker hair they receive during their pregnancy.

Since hormones govern post-partum hair loss, there is no way to completely prevent it from losing excessive amounts of hair. However, there are several ways that you can curb and control the shedding as well as promote healthier hair growth rather quickly. Here are some tips:

-Make sure you are taking prenatal vitamins. These vitamins contain specific supplements that are vital to the promotion of healthier hair. Such supplements contain Biotin, Silica, Calcium, Omegas, Flaxseed Oil, and Zinc.

- Stay away from heavy creams or hair masks that can clog the scalp. A healthier, cleaner scalp that produces its own natural oils is very important in the growth and thickness of the new hair that is being produced.

- Use some essential oils to give yourself a scalp massage as this stimulates blood flow to the scalp, which in turn encourages the hair follicles to grow hair.

These tips and maintaining a healthy diet can help you overcome your postpartum hair loss and get you right back to where you want to be.

For more information on Postpartum Hair, Hair Loss, Hair Care Growth Aids, Products, Reviews, and Salon Ratings, visit http://www.haircaregrowthaids.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tatiana_Jerome

8 Ways to Minimize Hair Loss After Pregnancy

By Kristie Brown

Only women who have actually experienced pregnancy can understand how much their bodies, hormones, and systems changed in preparation for giving birth. It only makes sense that after the baby is born, these systems need to change back to the way they were pre-pregnancy. Hormone levels decrease, your body starts resuming its previous shape, and things that were put on hold while you were pregnant get back to normal operation. 

This includes your hair. While you were pregnant you may have noticed that it got thicker and even changed to a richer color. It was definitely affected by the hormonal changes in that it didn't fall out on a regular basis like it does in its non-pregnancy state. Inevitably, about 75% of women who give birth will notice hair loss about 3-4 months later.

All hair goes through stages. It starts by 
growing in and then experiences a lengthy "resting" phase. Most women lose hair at a rate of 30 to 100 strands per day. About 7 years after a hair shaft started to grow, it falls out, making room for new, healthy hair. This process continues throughout your life.

 Pregnancy, however, disrupts the normal flow of things. While you were carrying your baby, very little of your hair fell out. The normal cycle didn't exist any longer. However, your body remembers what was supposed to have taken place, so after you have the baby, it causes all of the hairs that should have fallen out during the 9-month gestation period to exit your scalp.

The good news is that your hair will grow back in and resume the same thickness as it had pre-pregnancy. What some women don't like is having to look somewhat like a picked chicken until it can do that. If you are one of these women and you dread the thought of not looking your best, there are a few things you can do to minimize hair loss. Some of these tricks include:

1. Brush and comb your hair extra-gently following pregnancy, because the hair is particularly delicate at that point.

2. Eat a nutritious diet that you've worked out with your physician. After all, you don't want to save your hair at the expense of the baby you're breastfeeding.

3. Lightly massage your hair with oil.

4. Refrain from putting your hair into tight hairdos, such as ponytails and braids, which can loosen the strands from the follicles.

5. Use a wide-toothed comb when your hair is wet.

6. Don't use your dryers and curling irons during this period of time.

7. Buy herbal shampoos and conditioners which will be more gentle on your hair.

8. A shorter hairstyle will grow back in more quickly.

For more tips and information on vitamins for hair growth? Get tips, articles, and advice on female hair loss here: Causes of Hair Loss.

 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristie_Brown

Postpartum Hair Loss - Dealing With the Effects

By Helen Tandy 

After giving birth, a woman may experience loss of hair. This condition is medically known as postpartum hair loss. If during pregnancy, the high level of estrogen improves blood and nutrients circulation in the body, thus increasing hair growth; after the delivery, the level of estrogen returns back to normal. When the estrogen level returns to normal, this is when the hair starts increasingly falling out -- instead of just the usual few strands of hair.

Fortunately for women, postpartum hair loss isn't something permanent and it is treatable. In most cases, the loss of hair will stop occurring after a few months. Just to be on the safe side, however, new mothers can take a number of ways to keep their hair healthy and intact.

To deal with the effect of postpartum hair loss, you can try to change your hairstyle. If you are previously sporting the long hair look, you can shorten it instead and give some bangs to frame the face. Making the hair shorter in the front and longer at the sides is a smart way to keep a fresh style and look to women who had just gone through pregnancy.

To keep your hair healthy and to give it a fuller look, make sure that it is conditioned and moisturized well throughout the day. This can be done by using a conditioner and moisturizer after shampooing the hair. Do not forget to choose the right conditioner and moisturizer - get products designed specifically for hair care after pregnancy. It is possible to use baby shampoos, as they are gentle enough for your hair. Further, do avoid using excessive hair styling products - as they may contain some harsh chemicals that could further damage the hair. Avoid blow-drying the hair as well.

If you would like to disguise the thinning part of the hair, you can color your hair or change the hair parting style. For those who have dark hair, highlighting the front would do wonders for your appearance. As for those who usually part hair in the middle, consider switching to a side part hairstyle instead - this way you can camouflage the hair thinning at the temples area.

Having straight and silky hair is a great look when you are not suffering from any hair loss problem. When it happens, it would make the loss of hair even more pronounced. Consider changing your hairstyle to a curly or wavy one.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Helen_Tanady