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Original poster

Hair falling out is driving me nuts! - Advice please

18 replies

pamirka · 21/09/2006 11:41

Hello all,
During pregnancy, hardly any of my hair fell out, which I understand is common amongst pregnant women. Before that, some came out but I guess that happens to everyone.
About a month ago (3 months after DD1 was born), HUGE amounts started coming out when I brush my hair, wash it, even just touch it. And it's driving me nuts - I find my hair everywhere, even in my poor daughter's cot! As an example, I had to clear the sink three times today whilst in the shower. My hair is thick anyway and fortunately only shoulder length so you can't even notice that I'm losing any but there is hair EVERYWHERE in my house and it's SO annoying.
Has anyone else experienced big hair loss post-pregnancy? How long did it last? Is there anything I can do?
Thanks from a hairy annoyed (boom boom) pamirka

OP posts:

belgo · 21/09/2006 11:45

Yes I had this too, it's really annoying. It lasted about two months or maybe less, and I just had to keep brushing the excess hair out of my head., and hoover up lots. Sorry, no advice, just sympathy.

Bouj · 21/09/2006 11:46

Normal - irritating, but normal. ds2 is 4 and a half months, and I've noticed it easing off. But it is very dramatic! Remember with ds1 it shocking the life out of me. It doesn't last too much longer!

JackieNo · 21/09/2006 11:49

Yup - normal, but really annoying. It does ease off, honest.

BettySpaghetti · 21/09/2006 11:49

I had it after both of my children -its horrible and annoying isn't it? Everyone used to find it everywhere and I really dreaded washing my hair as so much would come out I was convinced I'd end up bald ( but good news is I didn't and neither will you ).

MadamePlatypus · 21/09/2006 11:55

I think this is pretty standard. Not sure why it happens - no hair loss for 9 months - lovely thick hair, but unfortunately its not for keeps and all the extra hair falls out over a period of about 6 weeks. Very annoying, and don't think there is anything you can do about it.

lulumama · 21/09/2006 11:57

happened to me too, when both the babies reached 12 weeks exactly - coming out in handfuls - hair everywhere, lasted about 2 months. used volumising shampoo and conditioner. boots do a special post pregnancy shampoo & conditioner and a thickening range - made me feel better that i was trying to do something, short of sticking hair back on with superglue!!!!!!!

Original poster

pamirka · 21/09/2006 12:37

Well I don't mind the hair coming out - as I said my hair's thick so you can't really notice it, it's just the irritation of finding it everywhere!

Thanks for the responses though, it's good to know that other people have been through the same and not ended up bald, and that it will (hopefully) finish soon. Very reassuring and brought a smile to my sleep deprived face!

All the best.

OP posts:

Bibiboo · 21/09/2006 20:18

Had it when dd was 4 months old, and by that time had thought I'd escaped the hair falling out stage. And I have very thi, fine hair. I didn't go bald though, so it does stop at some point!

belgo · 21/09/2006 20:27

Make sure stray hairs don't get tangled up in your babies toes or fingers, a hair trapped round a tiny toe can cause a lot of crying, but it's very hard to see.

Jaffacake1 · 21/09/2006 20:27

Ha! thanks for this thread, my dd is 13 weeks and mine suddenly started falling out big time last week, slightly alarming but I feel better now I know it's totally normal.

alexa1 · 22/09/2006 19:22

Can your hair still fall out as described 1 year after the birth, mine certainly is. My DS is nearly 13 months.

mrsdarcy · 22/09/2006 19:34

Alexa, my DD is 14 months old and I have noticed a lot of hair falling out over the past few weeks. I'm still bfeeding though, which I assume has something to do with it.

alexa1 · 22/09/2006 19:40

mrs darcy. my hair fell out with my DD (4 year old now) too at the same stage, so I guess I shouldn't worry about it, Just hope it's not for much longer.

My hair is fine anyway so can't afford to loose too much.

jabberwocky · 22/09/2006 19:41

Mine fell out for almost 18 months after ds was born. I was starting to wonder if any would be left!

mrsdarcy · 22/09/2006 20:54

Mine's fine and v straight, and I have developed the revolting nervous habit of pulling bits out so I really really hope it stops.

Kiwiem · 24/09/2006 22:29

Mine's still coming out but much less than it was (DS is 7 months). It was coming out in clumps before and had me in tears at times. Also hugely gross having it everywhere around the house - mine was long so ended up getting it chopped. Word of warning - hair loss can also be caused by post-partum thyroid problems so maybe something to get checked if you feel at all unwell.

Waswondering · 24/09/2006 22:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PatsyJ · 24/09/2006 23:03

Mine came out around 4-5 months too and then stopped. However, I breastfed DD until she was just over 14 months and it seemed to drop out again since then. I am losing loads of it - it's awful - in my food and everything. Have had lots of blood tests and all come back OK (did put a msg on the health thread a while back as am also very drained and tired - GP tried to tell me I was depressed but 'feel fine in myself'!).

Anyway, I wondered if the hair began falling out again after breastfeeding stopped is because of hormone levels? Good to know others have had prolonged fallout when LOs are toddlers...

Am off to buy a wig now or maybe

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