ointments and pharmaceutical products on the market aimed at reducing haemorrhoids. As a more drastic measure, you may like to consider injections and even surgical removal. HAIR LOSS From someone still reeling from hair loss, or alopecia, one year after the birth of my second child, I know how alarming (and distressing!) this “by-product” of pregnancy can be.
“A skilled lactation specialist can help to determine what the problem might be should new mums find feeding painful or ineffective” Sometimes wrongly associated with breastfeeding, the hair loss that some women experience is more to do with, you guessed it, hormones. During pregnancy, oestrogen hormones not only stimulate growth but also prevent any hair loss, resulting in a full head of enviable locks. Post birth, as the oestrogen levels drop, the fallout begins, as the hair follicles move from a resting phase to a shedding phase. Generally, this occurs at three to four months post birth, and can last right up until baby’s first birthday. REMEDY: Unfortunately, not much can be done to prevent the hair loss, although you may be able to slow it down. Limiting stress on the hair follicles by less brushing, reducing heat exposure and cutting out any chemical colouring may delay the shedding. To encourage new growth, a haircut may help as well as a tailored diet. Mazaroli says, ‘Ensuring adequate protein in the diet and supplementing with essential fatty acids and zinc may encourage hair growth.’ If the shedding continues for more than six months, Mazaroli recommends seeking medical advice in order to rule out any thyroid imbalances. ‘Continual hair loss, alongside
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fatigue, mood fluctuations and weight gain, could be a sign of hypothyroidism,’ she says. NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES Just as pregnancy can deplete women of much needed minerals and vitamins, the postnatal stage can also be a period of deficiency. Breastfeeding or not, the hormonal and lifestyle adjustments that occur in the first few months post birth will call for careful dietary attention. Although feeling rundown and fatigued will be common in these early months, Mazaroli suggests breastfeeding mums monitor their iron levels and supplement if necessary, as fatigue is an early sign of iron deficiency. REMEDY:The best way for women to maintain optimum health is to follow a diet rich in protein, essential fatty acids, fresh fruit and vegetables, legumes and wholegrains, to ensure they are receiving appropriate nutrients. There are also, according to Mazaroli, several telltale signs that may help women determine if they are vitamin or mineral deficient. • Zinc deficiency: white spots on nails, acne, hair loss and moodiness. • Calcium: cramps, brittle nails, moodiness. • Iron: anaemia (fatigue, dizziness, palpitations) and brittle nails. • Magnesium: muscle cramps, insomnia. • Essential fatty acids: dry skin and hair, acne and hair loss. SUPERFICIAL CONCERNS Most women find that pregnancy tests the boundaries of self-image and so, too, the postbaby period may take some getting used to. To make things more difficult, just as you are settling back into home life, hard to ignore will be the mass media’s obsession with celebrities and their post-birth bodies – just what you don’t need to see at this time. Physical adjustments post birth may include weight gain, scarring – especially if you had a