Post Partum Hair Shedding Out of Control!

I was the *exact* same way. I even had my Dr. test my thyroid b/c my hair was coming out in clumps, I thought this can't be normal. But it was and my daughter is 9 months old and my hair is just now going back to normal!

My hair shedding was worse after my second pregnancy also. I thought maybe it was because I had twins but perhaps that was coincidental. Anyhow, they're 11 months old now and the hair shedding stopped maybe 3-4 months ago. I now have all these short hairs coming in all over my head which looks hilarious. Don't worry, soon you'll be back to normal! Oh, and I did go to the Doctor this time because the hair shedding was so bad. All the thyroid tests came back normal.

Hi A.,

My doctor told me I wouldn't loose any hair that I had to begin with prior to the pregnancy. He told me the increased hormones created excessive hair growth and I was simply loosing the hair that I grew as a result of the pregnancy.

Jeannie

Hi A., It is normal to shed hair after having a baby . It usually starts to come out around 3-4 months after delivery, unless you breast feed,it will start to come out when your finished.You may be noticing more hair loss for a couple reasons,change of season (winter to spring)stress or not enough protien in your diet,also thyroid. But most likely just from stopping prenatel vitamins and from having the baby .(vitamins promote hair growth)I hope I helped you ,I am a hair stylist for 16 years, any questions just ask. Kristin P

A.,
Whatever you do DON'T CUT OFF YOUR HAIR (unless you are sure)! :0) I too shedded quite a lot of hair and it seemed like forever! I am not sure how long it lasted but it was a longggg time because my hubby kept complaining about it in the drain when I would forget to clean it out (like they have noooo gross habits ya know?) It was at least 7 months. Well, I got so tired of the baby pulling on it and it getting all down my legs in the sower that I cut it off. All of it and got a 'pixie bob' I miss my hair soooo much. So hang in there and it will get better I promise!
Chris

I know what you are going through. After my second child, about 6 months after birth, my hair started to shed. It is normal to have this process for 3 months and sometime a bit more. However, mine did not stop. My second child turned 4 and my hair keeps falling. I did consult a dermatologist and everything seems to be normal. It is very frustrating to see this hair everywhere. I am also amazed that I have any hair left.
If your hair loss does not seem to slow down, go to a dermatologist. You would need to do some blod tests (iron, thyroid gland, etc) to see if there is something missing.
Good luck and I hope that everything comes back to normal for you!

Dear A.,
Yes, shedding so much hair is definitely not fun.
One suggestion - Go to my web site http://www.shaklee.net/giftsfromnature/product/31696. This product really can help. It's recommended you use it every day for at least 30 days. It will take about that long for you to see less hair in your shower and elsewhere. One little bottle lasts one person 5-6 months (use only 20 drops on your scalp and rub it in). And it's guaranteed. Be sure to let me know if you have any questions.
E. B

Had the same problem. It was at its worse right around 4 months. It will start to get better soon. You will then have top deal with the weird short hairs that are all new hair. My daughter is now 9 months and even with a fresh new haircut, the regrowth looks odd.

I hear you sister! My son is four months old and my hair is falling out too!! It's in the shower, in the sink, I found it in my salad when we had dinner guests (luckily they are good friends) I think it's pretty normal from what other moms have told me, but it is no less unnerving! You're not alone;)

take care,
H.

Don't worry, my son is the same age and I am going through the same thing! My hair dresser says that it is just our hormones working and that it is normal. I feel like I am going bald everyday. I litterally had to open my sink drain and pull out a clump. I do remember going through this with my daughter and it was a few months before it stopped. Hang in there, I am sure we will be shed free by the summer.

Ah yes, 4 months old - that's when it happened to me! Unforutnately, there's nothing you can do about it, but I can assure you that it will not last forever! Your hair will stop falling out and any light spots (like at my temple) will fill back in.

J.

I understand where you are coming from...However, I was wondering if my hair falling out was coming from just having a baby, the Depo Shot, or my thyroid problem. I made an appointment with my doctor and she told me I did have an under active thyroid, which can cause my hair to fall out. Also, the Depo Shot can cause your hair to fall out, as well as just having a baby. So, I was put on thyroid medicine and took off the Depo Shot and my hair stopped falling out. I hope that this helps you to find out what is going on with your hair.

Please make a Doctor's appointment to have your thyroid checked. You may have developed a post-partum thyroid imbalance. I was having the same issue as well as weight gain, and hair growing on my chin (lovely, I know). My mid-wife made sure to have blood work done to rule out a developing thyroid condition. Unfortunatley for me, it was not a simple fix of temporary medicine for my thyroid. Instead it was a long term wait it out and my hair stopped thinning, I now get to wax (again, lovely, I know) and I am working very hard to lose weight.

Good luck!

Hey there..
After my son was born, I went in to have blood work done and was told that my thyroid levels were off. I did some research and found out that hair shedding is one of many of the effects. I know it is quite common to develop thyroid issues after pregnancy, so maybe you should have some bloodwork done just to check it out. Good luck!!

Smiles,
E. B.

I have been complaining off and on for almost 2 years. I am so glad you brought this to light. My hair is thin anyway but to loose any of it was scarey. It has stopped Thank God but wanted to thank you for bringing up the issue. I keep my hair short now to let it get healthy. Since I dont have health coverage I couldnt go to a Dr to find out why it lasted so long after the birth of my daughter. There are also hair vitamins out there you can buy at your local drug store.
I totally understand and went through the same experience!

A.,
Mine fell out for nearly a year. I believe it's pretty standard operating procedure. If your hair is long--you notice it more because you ca see it everywhere: in the drain..your clothes..the floor...your food :) lol
My stylist told me to minimize washings (usually not a problem when you have an infant!) and to pull it back into a ponytail loosely if it's long enough. You will not be bald--even though it feels like you will be bald any day now!

I went through this with all three of my kids, but it was the worst with my daughter. I finally marched into the OB/GYN's office and demanded they do a thyroid test because I swore something was really really wrong! Nothing was wrong - I was just shedding...giving our Golden Retriever a big run for his money. I would actually pull out what felt like handfuls of hair. The bad news for me? it went on for the better part of a year! Finally everything balanced back out (and I didn't go bald in the process) but with as much as I lost, I couldn't figure out how there could be anything left to brush!!!!

Good luck...

A.
I too had that problem only to come to find out I acquired an underactive thyroid. My doctor told me that usually 4-5 months after the birth of a child alot of women get this. He said that after taking synthroid for a while it can go away. I unfortunately have had it now for 17 years. You may want to check for other symptoms as well and then contact your doctor.

Not sure if this works with everyone but I continue to take my prenatal vitamin and it stopped the hair loss. NOw I only loss a few a day like 'normal' amounts.

I know how you feel!! I'm going through the same thing! When I had my first daughter the shedding was bad for about 2 months. I'm hoping the same this time will be short lived too since it's alot worse than before.

I just keep my hair up all the time unless I'm out back playing with daughter. I'm constantly brushing my hair as soon as I get up, before shower and again right before bed.

sorry to hear the hair shedding is out of control. my hair shed for about 4 months or so after my son was born. everyone is different. do not wash your hair everyday. it is not necessary and it may help a little bit. If normally color your hair, i would not do it for awhile. sometimes,this can be related to hormones. if you have a good hairdresser talk to him or her about products you can use. nioxin is a good one. i would also talk to your doctor and make sure your hormones are not out of control. Are you back on birth contol pills or breast feeding? I was upset too when my hair kept shedding but i did not want my hair short,it took too long to get it at the longer length that i have. keep your hair up in a pony tail or a clip,they may help also. I wish there was more i could tell you. hang in there it should straighten itself out.

It usually lasts 6-9 mo. It will grow back though!

Shedding hair after you have a baby is normal because your hormones are allowing it to fall out (it didnt while you were pregnant) so you are really just catching up to get back to normal. If you think too much is coming out you need to go see a doctor and get your hormones checked as you may have an imbalance.

Stress is probably what is causing it. I can see why when you say "husband gone a LOT!!" Right there tells it all. You have to figure a way to relieve some of the stress in your life.

Welcome to my hairy world! I have hair in my car, my floors, my clothes, my kids hands... My son is 7 months old. My hair has been falling out since he was about three months. I can't believe i have any left. The same thing happened with my first son. I remember getting an updo when my first was 8 months. The stylist was having trouble covering my thinning spots.

I really haven't found anything to stop it or slow it down. The first time it lasted about 8 months. It does grow back so i just get it cut every month (i have long hair) and i cut some longer bangs and layers to help when it really starts coming back in.

Have you had your thyroid levels checked? Sometimes you can develop a thyroid imbalance during pregnancy and postpartum. I was diagnosed with one when I was 20 (not during a pregnacy. I've just known quite a few who have during pregnancy/birth and read about it in the books). Anyhow, hair loss can be one of the symptoms. Along with being tired and dry skin and many more symptoms which may not seem like symptoms at all and often times go along with having a baby.

It may just be the normal hormone changes from giving birth. In that case, if you haven't been taking your prenatal vitamins or a regular vitamin, you may want to start again. It has helped me before. But I would ask the doctor about the thyroid as well. If it is the thyroid, a little pill each day is usually the fix.

Hi A.,

I can totally relate!! My son is 6 1/2 months old and about a month ago I finally stopped shedding. I was going batty.. my hair was EVERYWHERE!!!!! It only lasted a little over a month for me, which believe you me felt like an eternity. Just know it will slow down and you will return to your regualr shedding process of 100 hairs a day!!

Hi A.! I went throught this 3 times. When I had my first daughter I lost so much hair that I went to the Dr. and he did an exam and blood work. I had no idea this was a very normal part of post pregnancy. It stopped each time(thank God) around the time my babies turned 6 months. Hang in there. The good news is it does grow back!