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Original poster

Hair loss after pregnancy - any tips/ advice

14 replies

loonicorn · 11/03/2008 10:42

DD2 is now 6mths old and I have been experiencing hair loss for past three months - just comes out in clumps when brushing/ washing etc. I have thick hair so it has not been noticable until recently - now I can see it is thinning around the front. I know this is a common problem, but does anyone have any tips about what i can do to halt or at least slow this down, keeping in mind i am still bf? When does it stop? Didn't have this problem at all with my other 2.

OP posts:

unhappy · 11/03/2008 12:43

Hiya - yes its a very common problem - the hair goes through 3 stages cant remember what they are called but one post pregnancy means the hair will fall - mine didnt with ds but did with dd it fell for at least 4 - 5 months but it did stop and it will return - dont worrry too much - its not nice but it will stop

Original poster

loonicorn · 11/03/2008 12:49

Thanks for that. DH keeps telling me to go to GP but not convinced they could do anything and don't want to waste their time. Will just have to wait and hopethat it goes along with the post baby belly, the baggy eyes etc etc!!

OP posts:

AMumInScotland · 11/03/2008 13:29

It's because the hair follicles tend to "hold onto" the hair during pregnancy, and after you have the baby a lot of them "let go" over the next few months. It will stop in time. If you want reassurance, you could get DH to have a good look and he should see the new (still very short) hairs coming through.

I went to the doctor with mine, and she did this and could reassure me that they were coming back.

Mikafan · 11/03/2008 13:44

My DD is 10 months old and my hair is still falling out. I went to the doctors but she said unless you could actually see bald spots/clumps then it was normal and can take up to 12 months to get back to normal

solo · 11/03/2008 13:51

Mine went extremely thin with Ds and straight from very curly, though the curls did come back thankfully. With Dd it fell out a bit, but is actually thicker now than it has ever been, she's almost 15 months, still bf her as I did with Ds. It has gone straight again though. I think this shows just how childbirth affects our hair. Don't despair too much, I'm sure it'll all get back to normal fairly soon.

Original poster

loonicorn · 11/03/2008 13:57

Its funny, cos my hairdresser said that may hair had gone straighter this time - i hadn't noticed through my blurry, sleep deprived eyes! I know how you feel Mikafan - I have been told that it is normal and it will grow back but I guess I won't be reassured until it actually does. I keep having visions of Gail Porter - who looked absolutely beautiful when she lost all her hair and seemed really brave about it all - I highly doubt that I will look attractive at all as a baldie and I know i will not feel happy about it at all! I know it is unlikely to get to that stage, but I won't feel reassured until it stops falling out.

OP posts:

Mikafan · 11/03/2008 15:26

My hair was straight before DS1 and straight after. With DS2 it was straight before and for the first time in my life - after I had him it went wavy and thick - I loved it. Unfortunately it didn't last. Now, after having DD its gone straight again and very fine though I'm not sure whether it will stay that way. Before DD I had a fringe - I can't have it like that anymore - my hair has gone so fine it looks awful, I just brush it all off my face into a ponytail The situation isn't helped by the fact that my normal hairdresser is away "travelling" and won't be back until April / May

solo · 11/03/2008 23:42

Have you not thought about having a complete change Mikafan? I know you said your usual hairdresser is away, but go on a recommendation from someone you trust and have a change. I did the same as you when I had Ds and it went really fine and straight/limp etc, I just pulled it all back into a tail...I really wished I'd had a total revamp back then. This time with the new improved thick n straight hair, I've had a brand new style and that has made me feel great about the way I look. I soooo needed it!

chipmonkey · 12/03/2008 00:21

There is a supplement called Nourkrin ( spelling?) which my aunt recommended to me after I had ds3, never got round to getting it and am not sure if compatible with bf. I have seen it in health food shops. Apparently someone she knew had used it after pg and found it fantastic.

lulalullabye · 12/03/2008 01:11

can i just say don't worry cause it does grow back thick and fast in the weirdest way

AussieSim · 12/03/2008 02:27

Chill - just one of the many side-effects at least your hair will come back - unlike the more permanent effects of stretch marks etc. To help the hair grow back faster you can stimulate blood flow to the scalp by massag/brushing.

Threadworm · 12/03/2008 06:44

And you could take some B vitamin supplements (if that's ok with B. feeding) to assist healthy regrowth.

Mikafan · 12/03/2008 09:38

No Solo, I wouldn't go to anyone else. The thing is, I like the length it is now and ordinarily its a very versatile length so that I can wear it up or down, I just can't wear it down at the moment because it looks so pitiful

solo · 13/03/2008 00:28

I felt like that too Mikafan, but I went to a new hairdresser and she advised me, then I just said ' do it'! she cut off 12", and although I can't put it up atm, it looks great, takes years off me. But then again, for me it was straight hair after having very curly hair, and it looks great up with the curls, but not so good up when long and straight.
Here's to good hair days again Ladies!

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