With a little one on the way, you will no doubt be busy getting ready for all the changes that are about to happen. Whether it’s picking out paint colours for the nursery, reading endless lists of baby names or buying one too many of those adorable little outfits. 

While all of these changes are happening on the outside, your body is also going through a whirlwind of changes on the inside, and that includes your hair! Let's embark on a journey together to uncover the secrets of pregnancy hair - the good, the challenging, and the downright fascinating.

Hair Growth Galore

Some lucky mamas-to-be can experience rapid hair growth. 

This is all thanks to the surge of the oestrogen during pregnancy, Prepare yourself for some science talk coming up… when oestrogen rises, the anagen phase is extended. The anagen phase is when your hair follicles are in active growth. This leads to increased hair retention and, subsequently, thicker and more abundant hair. 

Embrace the joy of quicker-growing locks and let your inner Rapunzel shine!

Goodbye, Shedding Struggles

Remember those days when you'd find a bit too much hair in your brush? Or when your hair would re-decorate the shower walls on hair wash day?  

Well, during pregnancy, you can bid farewell to that daily shedding drama. The hormonal changes your body goes through can also affect the telogen phase of your hair growth cycle. Time to pop your specs on… The telogen phase is when your hair is slowly pushed up towards the surface of your scalp, where it will then shed to make room for a new lock. During pregnancy, fewer hairs enter the telogen phase, which means that the natural process of hair shedding (telogen effluvium) is reduced.

Lucky for you that means fewer hairs on your pillow and in your shower drain. Wooo, do a little happy dance!

Texture Transformation

Next time you're looking in the mirror, admiring your new bump you might find your hair looks smoother, softer and shinier. You might even find that when trying to style it, it may seem more manageable than before… Yes you heard that right! 

Well, you can thank the extra oestrogen for that. It's like your very own pregnancy haircare product, brought to you by Mother Nature herself. Your hormones can actually alter the structure of the hair proteins, such as keratin, collagen and elastin, all of which have a huge impact on how your hair looks and feels.

The Sad Scalp 

Sometimes the new rush of hormones we have in our bodies doesn’t want to play ball and can leave us with some unwanted side effects. *urgh*

Hormones influence almost everything that goes on in our bodies and that isn’t any different when it comes to our scalps. Hormonal fluctuations can influence the overall health of the scalp meaning we could potentially be dealing with dryness, itching, or dandruff. 

Our hormones also have an impact on our sebaceous gland activity. Sebaceous glands are the teeny tiny glands on our scalp that produce sebum (which is a fancy name for oil). In some cases, pregnant women may experience increased sebum production, which can make the hair appear greasier and harder to style *dry shampoo at the ready*. 

A Postpartum Twist

While your pregnancy hair journey can be a bit of a fairy tale, there's often a twist in the story after childbirth. You may notice an increase in hair shedding. Don't fret; this is just your body returning to its regular hair growth cycle. It's perfectly normal, and it doesn't mean your hair is thinning permanently.

But, to help put your mind at ease, *deep breath in*, here's a little bit of an explanation *deep breath out*. During pregnancy, the extra hairs that stayed in the "growth phase" start to make their exit after childbirth. It can feel like a significant shed, but remember, it's all part of the process. Your lovely locks will eventually bounce back to their regular rhythm. If you are struggling with post pregnancy hair loss, take a read of our insightful blog post on the subject.

Tips to Embrace Your Pregnancy Hair Journey

Celebrate the Growth: If you're among the lucky ones with accelerated hair growth, relish in it. Experiment with new styles and enjoy your fuller hair while it lasts.

Keep it Healthy: Use mild shampoos and conditioners that support your hair's changing needs. Remember, a balanced diet is crucial for healthy hair, so feed those locks with nutrients. GLOWWA Hair Food is always a good way to feed your hair the nutrients that it needs to thrive.

Love Your Locks: Whether you're dealing with super-soft, glossy hair or adjusting to postpartum changes, remember that your hair's transformation is part of your unique pregnancy story. Embrace it!

In the end, your pregnancy hair journey is a testament to the incredible things your body can do. From rapid growth to reduced shedding, your hair is there to remind you of the beautiful journey you're on. So, rock those pregnancy locks and embrace the magic of motherhood, one strand at a time!