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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Postnatal Hairloss?

31 replies

LLMD · 08/12/2019 20:56

Sorry not an AIBU but posted a few days ago in health and no responses at all and I’m becoming desperate.

Does anyone have any miracles that can help with pretty bad hair loss after birth?

It’s coming out in huge clumps every day and really starting to get me down.

The hair that I do have left is knotted really badly when I wake up every morning too.

I had sepsis after my c section (4 months PP) and doctor has said you can experience hair loss after a serious illness like this too so not sure if I’m getting double whammy of hair falling out.

I’ve also been stressed due to hospital negligence causing life changing brain injuries for DC, so that’s probably not helping either.

Any suggestions would be massively appreciated otherwise I’m hiding under the table for our big family Christmas dinner 😔

I’ve just spotted today that it’s actually quite noticeable if I wear my hair up too.

OP posts:
Newbie1999 · 08/12/2019 21:03

Sorry no real advice but just to say I feel your pain! How many months PP are you? 9 months here and mine has just started to grow back - I have these annoying little bits sticking out all over the place. It will get better!

ToastyFingers · 08/12/2019 21:05

Oh bless you, my hair fell out after dd2 was born. I wore a lot of hats, headscarves and strategically placed headbands.

Flowers sorry you're having such a rough time.

gamerchick · 08/12/2019 21:06

Ah it's the most annoying part of having babies. Unfortunately I don't think there's an easy fix other than to ride it out.... And also the itchy spiky stage as it grows back.

tobedtoMNandfart · 08/12/2019 21:08

Sorry to hear you're having a tough time.
Sounds like you've had a very stressful /anxious year.
Is it worth another GP visit as it could be stress related alopecia?
I haven't seen anything in your post to suggest this will be permanent. Good luck 💐

AllYouGoodGoodPeople · 08/12/2019 21:08

5 month mange is normal. Disgusting but normal.

Original poster
LLMD · 08/12/2019 21:09

@Newbie1999 I’m 4 months pp.

I expected some amount of hair loss but it’s so much worse than I thought! I think because it’s all coming out from the top of my forehead and sides so it’s SO visible.

I ended up getting some hair strengthening treatment from Lush over the weekend but I suspect I’m fighting a losing battle 😭

OP posts:
ToastyFingers · 08/12/2019 21:10

This sort of thing was my go-to look, although my hair loss was worst at the front.

Postnatal Hairloss?
NoParticularPattern · 08/12/2019 21:14

I’m in the same boat OP. Same as happened with DD is happening again now at 4 months PP with DS. My hairline is receding so quickly it’s not even funny. I’m trying to wait for it to slow down then I’m off for a hair cut and colour to try to improve things a little. I hate how tender it makes my scalp too. Sadly no advice as it is perfectly normal, just very drastic at the time!

ToastyFingers · 08/12/2019 21:14

Also, you can get 'root touch up' sprays which are great at disguising the thinner parts.

Sharonthetotallyinsane · 08/12/2019 21:14

Get your iron and thyroid checked. It can be severe, is there new growth?

Florencenotflo · 08/12/2019 21:18

I had this with dd1 (it did grow back) and am now nearly 4 months pp with dd2 and it's horrendous. I have light coloured tiled floors downstairs, my hair is very dark and very noticeable on the floor! I've also had to start cleaning our shower plug out twice a week to keep it from clogging up.

Until today I couldn't work out where exactly on my head it was coming from. But I noticed earlier it's looking very thin around my temples. Fingers crossed it will grow back again!

Original poster
LLMD · 08/12/2019 21:19

@tobedtoMNandfart I’ve been GP but they weren’t concerned. Maybe if it gets any worse I’ll mention it again. It has been a stressful few months so it’s not unlikely.

OP posts:
Didiusfalco · 08/12/2019 21:19

Mine was terrible after my second dc. I had problems with iron levels which didn’t help. In the end I cut it short. I would highly recommend this, as it was much better for my sanity than having manky long hair. It’s grown out again and a few years later is back to normal.

Xyzzzzz · 08/12/2019 21:20

I’m 4 months pp and my hair has just started to fall out I’ve even had a hair cut and it’s not helped.

Stampy84 · 08/12/2019 21:22

Get yourself some Pure virgin castor oil, almond oil and a spray bottle. Heat the castor oil and almond oil in a pan to thin it out ( castor oil is incredibly thick) put it in the spray bottle. Spray your hair from root to tips and leave in overnight if you can, 2-3 times per week. Be patient but it will work!!! By February you’ll see a big difference.

tobedtoMNandfart · 08/12/2019 21:24

Also vitamins and diet supplements possibly?

Original poster
LLMD · 08/12/2019 21:24

@toastyfingers I ordered 5 headscarf type handbands this morning! If I can’t fix it, I’ll have to hide it!

@NoParticularPattern I’ve just cancelled my Christmas hair appt as I’d be too embarrassed to go!
DP has been supportive but does joke it’s karma for all the years I’ve joked about him balding 😂

@Sharonthetotallyinsane I’ve been on iron since I left hospital as I had acidosis but GP said levels are normal now so shouldn’t be that. That was my first thought too.

@Florencenotflo I feel that pain. I am hoovering hair up like a mad woman and every time I put DC down he has at least 20 hairs on him! Poor thing.

OP posts:
Mumtotwo82 · 08/12/2019 21:28

I had the best hair of my life when pregnant (I have fine hair so it was really thick) then 3 month pp it came out it felt like a was really losing all my hair but really I guess it probably went back to how it was. I would see another GP though to get a second opinion if you are worried and definitely if you start to actually bald because pp hair loss alone is only hair loss to what it use to be like before pregnancy. It could be something more. Thyroid problems or stress can cause hair loss

Original poster
LLMD · 08/12/2019 21:51

@mumtotwo82 see, if I had lovely hair during pregnancy I think it would lessen the blow but I didn’t. Just had my usual hair (which is really thick naturally!).

I am definitely ‘balding’. I’ve got less hair now than I did when I was a baby! So I am probably best trying GP again as a few posters have mentioned it.

Feels like you’re never away from GP after having a baby.

OP posts:
Wattagoose90 · 08/12/2019 21:52

I cut mine much shorter to just above my shoulders (ragging a hairbrush through what was left really wasn't helping). It made it look thicker. I also pin it down at the sides with kirby grips, like my new signature do haha. It's recently started to grow again but it's pretty obvious and not nice to look at.

You spend the best part of a year growing a human and then bam, even more joy when your hair starts falling out in clumps! Blummin' hormones!! Please share if you do find any miracle cures!!

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 08/12/2019 21:56

Oh OP my DS is 15 and I still remember the hair loss. My nails were wrecked too, you could actually see a line across them between post-birth growth and post-birth growth. My iron post-partum was really low too.

I think you should keep your hair appointment. Talk to your stylist and see what they can come up with. I ended up with a pixie crop which made the most of the little I had.

Mumtotwo82 · 08/12/2019 22:04

Oh that doesn't sound like pp hair loss to me as you didn't feel any difference. In pregnancy the hair doesn't fall out or as much so it appears thicker until the hormones go back to pre pregnancy and what should of fallen out falls out and it goes back to how it was. Are there patch's or just hair thinning all over?

WeCameToDanceWithTheDead · 08/12/2019 22:29

I've had really bad post partum hairloss with both my pregnancies. Both times I've worried incessantly that I'm going to go bald. Dd was born 18 months ago and the hair loss only started to properly slow down a few months ago! I still get a little clump come out when I wash it though but I'm telling myself thats because I only wash it once a week.
It's horrific on a psychological level. I know I have hair and I know for the most part there's a decent amount of it apart from the bit at the front which has always been sparse, stupid hair but I keep picturing myself in my head with bald patches. I can't stand dh touching my hair as I am worried he will pull it out! It's preoccupying all my thoughts and driving me mad.
On a more practical note as I'm aware my rant above isn't helpful to your situation, Lush do a shampoo bar called new that's designed to help stimulate new hair growth. I've used it a few times over the years when growing my hair out and have found it's made a difference. I'm going to pick one up when I'm next near a Lush.

beingajen · 08/12/2019 22:44

For the knotting in the morning, I would definitely advocate switching to a silk pillow. These stop friction with the strands. In addition they are much cooler, meaning your scalp may stay healthier, and any treatment you out on your hair (or face for that matter) stays on the target area. Cotton is too adsorbent. I went through a period of stress hair loss, and found the Aveda invati scalp revitaliser useful (it is pricey though, but you can get take away sizes). I also switched to a Kent hairdresser natural bristle barrel brush, abandoning any metal in my brushes. Finally, Moroccan Argan oil (not necessarily an expensive one) on the lengths of your hair before drying and before bed. These steps may not stop hormonal fall out, but the remaining hair will be stronger and that that comes back in good condition. Strong scalp health is your friend. Best of luck OP.

Notimeforaname · 08/12/2019 22:45

A few drops of neem oil in your shampoo and massage. Or can add it to conditioner and leave in for an hour. Smells like somethings died... but it made my hair grow back.