For those who want an honest and realistic picture of pregnancy, birth and raising three kids, then take a look at my #pregnancydiary and feel free get in touch with any comments, questions or suggestions.
Combover
I’ve been told that my hair is looking good at the moment, and I do have to admit it’s a bit fuller and shinier. I’ve never had the thick voluminous heads of hair that my mum and sisters have (I seem to have taken after my dads side!) but it used to be better than what it is now. My hair has never really recovered from the onslaught of childbirth.
Most women do have thicker hair during pregnancy, it’s all because of the pregnancy hormones. Hormones change drastically a few weeks after giving birth and a lot of women experience falling hair. Mine fell out more than most women. It started six weeks after the birth of each baby and every time I washed and combed my hair, handfuls of it would fall out. It looked like I was balding at the temples and I had to attempt some kind of a combover to try and look socially acceptable. I guess I must be quite vain because it wasn’t the pain of labour that made me think twice about having more kids, it was the thinning hair!
When my eldest daughter was six months tufts of hair started to grow back. When she was nine months I got pregnant again and my hair looked good. However, after having my second daughter five years ago, the hair at my temples has never fully grown back regardless of how many vitamins I took. I know my hair will fall out again after this baby. There’s also the added worry that because I’m now 37, the problem may be more severe and I may end up half bald forever. We shall have to see. I’m trying not to stress about it and there are a few things I might try while I’m waiting to see whether my hair grows back:
Regular oil massages
This stimulates the hair follicles and may encourage them to grow back. When I had my first two babies my grandma told me off for not massaging my scalp and hair with oil on a regular basis. Now and then I use Vatika hair oil (a blend of coconut oil and herbs) and keep it on for an hour, or overnight, before washing it out. After the baby I’ll have to listen to my grandma and make it a weekly thing.
Take vitamins
New mums should continue to take pre-natal vitamins, or vitamin pills tailored for breastfeeding mums. After this I would suggest something like Perfectil, or any other brain of hair, nail and skin vitamins. A year and a half ago I switched from Perfectil to Pregnacare Conception because I discovered that it contained a higher amount of biotin for healthy hair growth, and a good balance of other essential vitamins. I don’t know if it did my hair that much good but I ended up conceiving so they were good for something!
Eat well
Protein is essential for making hair strong and healthy. Lower fat sources are better for new mums! This time I’m going to make sure I have lots of fish, nuts and lentils. I’ve learnt that too little iron can also result in hair loss so kale, spinach and broccoli will also be staying on my menu.
Vitamin C aids the absorption of iron so it’s good to eat foods like oranges, strawberries and sweet potato alongside iron rich foods. Omega 3 and Vitamin E are also great for healthy hair and nuts contain both of these. I mentioned biotin above and it can also be found in foods like egg yolk and wholegrains.
Wear head scarves
Now these have to be thought about before attempting. The trick is to stay away from the African head wrap or hijab look, unless you’re African or Muslim. I am neither so would just look like an idiot. A use a long thin scarf at the front of my head and tie in a bow. It’s great for disguising greasy hair or grey roots….or baldness as the case may be!
How’s baby?
Baby is around 5 and half inches long and is busy flexing his arms and legs. His blood vessels are still visible through his thin skin.
