Fast hair growth during pregnancy

10 Things That Might Surprise You About Being Pregnant (for Parents)

Pregnancy info is everywhere. At your first prenatal visit, your doctor will likely give you armfuls of pamphlets that cover every test and trimester.

Despite all this information, here are 10 common surprises that pregnancy can bring.

1. The Nesting Instinct

Many pregnant women feel the nesting instinct, a powerful urge to prepare their home for the baby by cleaning and decorating.

As your due date draws closer, you may find yourself cleaning cupboards or washing walls — things you never would have imagined doing in your ninth month of pregnancy! This desire to prepare your home can be useful — you'll have fewer to-do items after the birth. But be careful not to overdo it.

2. Problems With Concentration

In the first trimester, tiredness and morning sickness can make many women feel worn out and mentally fuzzy. But even well-rested pregnant women may have trouble concentrating and periods of forgetfulness.

Thinking about the baby plays a role, as do hormonal changes. Everything — including work, bills, and doctor appointments — may seem less important than the baby and the coming birth. Making lists can help you remember dates and appointments.

3. Mood Swings

Premenstrual syndrome and pregnancy are alike in many ways. Your breasts swell and become tender, your hormones go up and down, and you may feel moody. If you have PMS, you're likely to have more severe mood swings during pregnancy. They can make you go from being happy one minute to feeling like crying the next.

Mood swings are very common during pregnancy. They tend to happen more in the first trimester and toward the end of the third trimester.

Many pregnant women have depression during pregnancy. If you have symptoms such as sleep problems, changes in eating habits, and mood swings for longer than 2 weeks, talk to your health care provider.

4. Bra Size

An increase in breast size is one of the first signs of pregnancy. Breast growth in the first trimester is due to higher levels of the hormones

estrogenand progesterone. That growth in the first trimester might not be the end, either — your breasts can continue to grow throughout your pregnancy!

Your bra size also can be affected by your ribcage. When you're pregnant, your lung capacity increases so you can take in extra oxygen, which may lead to a bigger chest size. You may need to replace your bras several times during your pregnancy.

5. Skin Changes

Do your friends say you have that pregnancy glow? It's one of many effects that can come from hormonal changes and your skin stretching.

Pregnant women have increased blood volume to provide extra blood flow to the uterus and  other organs, especially the kidneys. The greater volume brings more blood to the vessels and increases oil gland secretion.

Some women develop brownish or yellowish patches called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy," on their faces. And some will notice a dark line on the midline of the lower abdomen, known as the linea nigra (or linea negra). They can also have hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) of the nipples, external genitalia, and anal region. That's because pregnancy hormones cause the body to make more pigment.

This increased pigment might not be even, so the darkened skin may appear as splotches of color. Chloasma can't be prevented, but wearing sunscreen and avoiding UV light can minimize its effects.

Acne is common during pregnancy because the skin's sebaceous glands make more oil. And moles or freckles that you had before pregnancy may get bigger and darker. Most of these skin changes should go away after you give birth.

Many pregnant women also get heat rash, caused by dampness and sweating. In general, pregnancy can be an itchy time for a woman. Skin stretching over the abdomen may cause itchiness and flaking. Your doctor can recommend creams to soothe dry or itchy skin.

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6.

Many women have changes in hair texture and growth during pregnancy. Hormones can make your hair grow faster and fall out less. But these hair changes usually aren't permanent. Many women lose some hair in the postpartum period or after they stop breastfeeding.

Some women find that they grow hair in unwanted places, such as on the face or belly or around the nipples. Changes in hair texture can make hair drier or oilier. Some women even find their hair changing color.

Nails, like hair, can change during pregnancy. Extra hormones can make them grow faster and become stronger. Some women, though, find that their nails split and break more easily during pregnancy. Like the changes in hair, nail changes aren't permanent. If your nails split and tear more easily when you're pregnant, keep them trimmed and avoid the chemicals in nail polish and nail polish remover.

7. Shoe Size

Even though you can't fit into any of your pre-pregnancy clothes, you still have your shoes, right? Maybe — but maybe not. Extra fluid in their pregnant bodies mean that many women have swollen feet and need to wear a larger shoe size. Wearing slip-on shoes in a larger size can be more comfortable, especially in the summer months.

8. Joint Mobility

During pregnancy, your body makes the hormone relaxin, which is believed to help prepare the pubic area and the cervix for the birth. Relaxin loosens the ligaments in your body, making you less stable and more at risk for injury. It's easy to overstretch or strain yourself, especially the joints in your pelvis, lower back, and knees. When exercising or lifting objects, go slowly and avoid sudden, jerking movements.

9. Varicose Veins, Hemorrhoids, and Constipation

Varicose veins, usually found in the legs and genital area, happen when blood pools in veins enlarged by pregnancy hormones. Varicose veins often go away after pregnancy. To help prevent them:

• avoid standing or sitting for long periods
• wear loose-fitting clothing
• wear support hose
• raise your feet when you sit

Hemorrhoids — varicose veins in the rectum — are common during pregnancy as well. Your blood volume has increased and your uterus puts pressure on your pelvis. So the veins in your rectum may enlarge into grape-like clusters. Hemorrhoids can be very painful, and can bleed, itch, or sting, especially during or after a bowel movement (BM).

Constipation is another common pregnancy woe. It happens because pregnancy hormones slow the passing of food through the gastrointestinal tract. During the later stages of pregnancy, your uterus may push against your large intestine, making it hard for you to have a BM. And constipation can contribute to hemorrhoids because straining to go may enlarge the veins of the rectum.

The best way to deal with constipation and hemorrhoids is to prevent them. Eating a fiber-rich diet, drinking plenty of liquids daily, and exercising regularly can help keep BMs regular. Stool softeners (not laxatives) may also help. If you do have hemorrhoids, talk to your health care provider about a cream or ointment that can shrink them.

10.

So you've survived the mood swings and the hemorrhoids, and you think your surprises are over. But the day you give birth will probably hold the biggest surprises of all.

During pregnancy, fluid surrounds your baby in the amniotic sac. This sac breaks (or "ruptures") at the start of or during labor — a moment usually referred to as your water breaking. For most women in labor, contractions start before their water breaks. Sometimes the doctor has to rupture the amniotic sac (if the cervix is already dilated).

How much water can you expect? For a full-term baby, there are about 2 to 3 cups of amniotic fluid. Some women may feel an intense urge to pee that leads to a gush of fluid when their water breaks. Others may only feel a trickling down their leg because the baby's head acts like a stopper to prevent most of the fluid from leaking out.

Amniotic fluid is generally sweet-smelling and pale or colorless. It's replaced by your body every 3 hours, so don't be surprised if you continue to leak fluid, about a cup an hour, until delivery.

Other, unexpected things may come out of your body during labor. Some women have nausea and vomiting. Others have diarrhea before or during labor, and passing gas is also common. During the pushing phase of labor, you may lose control of your bladder or bowels.

A birth plan can help communicate your wishes to your health care providers about how to handle these and other aspects of labor and delivery.

Lots of surprises are in store for you when you're pregnant — but none sweeter than the way you'll feel once your newborn is in your arms!

Does Hair Grow Faster During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy is when a woman’s body undergoes many different changes. It also affects the hair. But does hair grow faster during pregnancy? Anecdotally it is said yes. Many observe their hair getting thicker and strong during pregnancy. But how can pregnancy impact hair growth? Read this article to learn the answer and know more about various factors impacting hair growth during pregnancy. Scroll down.

In This Article

How Does Hair Change During Pregnancy?

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Your body experiences dramatic hormonal changes during pregnancy. The first hormone that increases in your body in this period is human chorionic gonadotropin (also known as hCG) (1). This is the hormone standard pregnancy test measures to determine pregnancy. Other hormones like estrogen, oxytocin, and prolactin also increase in this period (1). These hormonal imbalances could have an effect on your hair.

There also is an increase in blood circulation during pregnancy, and this may accelerate hair growth. We will further understand this phenomenon in the following section.

Related: How To Increase Blood Flow To The Scalp

Hair Becoming Thicker During Pregnancy

Our hair has a natural growth cycle. Individual hairs grow on the scalp over 2 to 3 months and are pushed out by new hair strands afterward. However, this cycle changes during pregnancy (2).

You might experience your hair growing thicker around 15 weeks into pregnancy. However, in reality, individual hairs do not grow thicker. They instead stay longer in the growing phase of the hair cycle, leading to a thicker appearance. This change happens due to an increase in the estrogen hormone.

But it is important to note that not all women experience thicker hair during pregnancy.

Related: Hormonal Hair Loss: Causes And How To Reduce It Naturally

StyleCraze Says

It is recommended to get a hot oil hair massage two to three times a week to boost hair growth during pregnancy.

Hair Becoming Thinner During Pregnancy

Some women may experience increased hair fall during pregnancy due to decreased estrogen hormone. It is believed that a decrease in estrogen could be caused by hormonal imbalances during pregnancy or the discontinuation of contraceptives. However, more research is warranted in this regard.

Related: 8 Simple Tips For Hair Care During Pregnancy

Why Does Your Hair Fall Out After Having A Baby?

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Pregnant women will also experience an increased hair loss after delivery. This happens when their estrogen levels normalize, sending the additional hair from the growth phase to the resting phase. This is when more hair falls out than usual, until around 3 to 4 months after the child is born.

Did You Know?

Excessive hair thinning within one to five months after pregnancy is known as telogen effluvium.

While you may observe your hair falling in clumps, you do not have to panic. This is just normal hair loss that happens all at a time. Post-childbirth hair loss can happen any time after delivery. It usually may last for a year before subsiding naturally. However, consult your doctor if you experience hair loss even after a year since childbirth.

Several changes happen to your body during pregnancy. For some, hair grows faster during pregnancy, while some may experience hair thinning. The hormonal imbalances during pregnancy show different changes in different people. However, it is normal to experience hair fall, and most of the hair will grow back with time. You may also experience hair loss after childbirth, and there is nothing to be worried about, as these are common during pregnancy. But, if the hair loss persists even a year after childbirth, you may consult a doctor and seek treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hair growth common in pregnancy?

Yes. Hair growth is common in pregnancy, but so is hair loss. During pregnancy, the human body experiences various levels of hormonal imbalances, which can have an effect on the hair. However, not everyone undergoes the same kind of hormonal changes. An increase in estrogen levels leads to thick hair growth, while a decrease in estrogen levels leads to hair fall.

Do hair and nails grow faster during pregnancy?

Yes. Hair and nails could grow faster and stronger due to hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy.

Key Takeaways

• Your body experiences drastic hormonal changes and increased blood flow that aid hair growth during pregnancy.
• Estrogen levels shoot up in the first 15 weeks, giving hair a fuller look by altering its growth cycle.
• Estrogen levels plummet after delivery leading to heavy hair loss, which stops after a few months or a year.
• If hair loss continues after a year, you may need to consult a doctor.

References:

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

1. 1. Hormones in pregnancy
      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3640235/
   2. EFFECT OF PREGNANCY ON THE HUMAN HAIR CYCLE*
      https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/82326339.pdf

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Anjali specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. Her philosophy... more

Dr. Shruti Chavan is a consulting dermatologist at Dr. Sheth's Skin and Hair Clinic since 6 years. She is a co-committee... more

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Can Hair Loss Be Prevented

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Many women experience hair loss during pregnancy or after childbirth. If this happened to you...

Why is this happening?

During pregnancy, estrogen levels increase in the body, which promotes hair growth. If usually about 100 hairs fall out per day, then during pregnancy this process stops, so the hair becomes strong, lush and shiny. The exception is women whose hair condition worsens already during pregnancy - hormonal changes become a great stress for their body, and the hair takes the first blow in this situation.

Big changes occur after childbirth, when the level of estrogen gradually drops and the body returns to its pre-pregnancy state. Hair, which during pregnancy was firmly held on the head, begins to fall out. Hormonal changes cause not only hair loss, but also a change in their appearance: hair can become thin, dull and lifeless.

Approximately two months after childbirth, the body restores balance, and the restoration of the normal state of the hair begins - many new small hairs appear at the hairline. You can wait until nature does its job, but there are a few things you can do on your own to improve the situation.

How to improve the condition of the hair?

- Approach the problem from the inside. Weakened, brittle hair often suffers from mineral deficiencies. If the daily diet is not balanced, nutritional supplements will come to the rescue. It is important to maintain normal levels of iron, copper, zinc and vitamin D in the body.

- Stay positive! That’s right – reduce your stress levels and get good sleep. Stress interferes with hair growth and leads to premature hair loss. Getting rid of tension is not always easy, but you just need to start to relax normally and learn to relax; this will give the body vigor, and the roots of the hair - enough energy to withstand stress.

– Eat right. If the body is deficient in nutrients, it is not surprising that hair suffers as well. A very important building material for hair is protein, that is, a protein that strengthens them and prevents them from falling out. Protein is found in large quantities in meat, fish, milk, nuts (particularly almonds) and eggs. For scalp problems, you can add probiotic supplements to your diet.

- Try special hair care products. Hair growth products support capillary circulation in the scalp and strengthen the hair roots. They can be produced in the form of shampoos, balms, serums and nutritional supplements. To get the result you need to complete the full course. Check out the Placent Activ Milano product range here.

- Consult your family doctor. Sometimes massive hair loss can indicate a health problem that a specialist and medication can help you deal with. Long-term use of medicines also affects the hair - in this case, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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