During pregnancy, most women, myself included, stop the normal shedding of hair. And while the pregnancy hormones are still floating around in your body after birth, it stays that way. But then, some time around 10 weeks post-partum, the hormones start to wane and then 10+ months of hair starts to fall. I knew this. I thought I was prepared for it. But OMG, ya’ll! My hair is EVERYWHERE. When I shower I get literally handfuls of it between my fingers which I set aside and thrown away so it doesn’t clog the drain. But guess what? The drain is becoming clogged now and I’m going to have to clean it soon. When I brush it, I get more handfuls. When I wake up each morning my pillow is covered. It’s on all our rugs, in our cars, we find it everywhere. It’s disgusting and fascinating at the same time.
When I look at myself in the mirror I have noticed the thinning. It’s thinner than pre-pregnancy. At my temples and along the front of my hairline it’s especially noticeable (to me). I’ve always had a rather high forehead, so this isn’t helping. It’s a true “fivehead” at this point, and the hair just keeps shedding. My hair is currently just below shoulder length but I’ve had short hair in the past and I know it works on me. I’m very seriously considering getting bangs cut as an intermediate solution. I haven’t had bangs since maybe high school. And If I end up not liking them I’ll just cut it all short. At least the pieces that fall out won’t be as long!
Alternatively, I could start wearing fabulous scarves wrapped around my head a la Little Edie of Grey Gardens fame. Here’s Curly modeling a silk scarf I painted in a fabric class some years ago. What do you think? Is it a good look?
1 In Vermillion 
Ok, fwiw, I’ve never been pregnant, never given birth. But my hair is very fine, and female baldness runs in my family. I was having a lot of problems with my hair falling out until I started using Nioxin shampoo and conditioner. I’ve used it for about 2 years now, and haven’t had nearly the problems I used to have. It’s expensive as hell, but so so so worth it!
As you know, I’ve been dealing with the same thing. I have increased my protein intake (per muy doc) and it has helped a little. I think I’m going to look into that shampoo and see if it works. I read it should stop falling out so much by 6 months post-partum so hopefully we are almost through it! Otherwise we may need to start our own support group for bald women!
This is very curious b/c since I have been pregnant, I have noticed I am sheding MORE, and I have always been quite a shedder as I have thick hair. What does this mean? I don’t like when I go against the norm…..
Crazy! I am not looking forward to that…i already have fine thin hair. yikes!
miles looks just angelic!
I read your site now with an eye towards the future, my future, wow. Thanks for sharing the wacky things about pregnancy and babies.
Same thing happened to me, I had to go short. I was pulling out GOBS of hair…I would scream each time….especially in the shower I would wash and look at my hand and woah it would be like a giant ball!
my wife has been shedding wigfuls of hair too! it’s insane…
Love the Grey Gardens reference– we often say, “Mother adores liver pate” around the house.
I am rather dismayed to hear this, as I’m a thin-headed gal already…
That look is stunning on Miles! 😉
I have really fine hair and very oily skin. When I was pregnant my hair was gorgeous and thick and my skin was flawless and shine free. I loved it! Looking forward to having that again someday soon but REALLY not looking forward to the post pregnancy loss.
I hope you find a happy resolution and I think bangs would be cute on you.
That baby boy is adorable in anything. I loved the video of him cooing….Still waiting for our grandchild number 4 anyday now.
First of all, Miles is so stinking cute I can barely stand it! And thank you for posting this. I thought I had gotten lucky and escaped having my hair fall out, but I guess I just need to wait a few more weeks. Oh and BTW, thanks for posting about foremilk/hindmilk imbalance some time ago. When it happened to us, I knew exactly what to do since I learned about it here!
Thanks for the comments everyone!
Blondie- I might give that hair care system a shot once I get thru the new bottle of stuff I just started. I have scalp issues as well and it seems like the Nioxin could help there too.
Poppy- pregnancy did good things to my skin and so far (knock wood) they seem somewhat improved from pre-pregnancy.
Sorry for all you thinner haired gals out there, but maybe you won’t have the shedding as bad.
KraftyKay- glad to be of help on the foremilk/hindmilk thing. It wasn’t something we’d ever heard of before so I wanted to pass on what we’d experienced.
The hair loss is still slaying me five months down the line. I got it cut last week and the hairdresser made a special point of telling me she was going to do something crafty round my temples to cover up the balding! She also warned me that when it starts growing back it can get tufty!! Great. I’m so sick of picking it off EVERYTHING and hoovering it up.
Oh yeah, and my spots came back too. Post partum sucks. Apart from the baby. That bit is fantastic!!
i love gray gardens!!
Wow – something to look forward to I guess. Miles, can I borrow your scarf if I lose my hair? 😉 He is soooo freakin adorable!!! Do you happen to like TWINS, Miles? We happen to think they are pretty cute 😉
god I remeber at the last stages of pregnancy i was nealy as hairy as a gorilla ! Im glad im not the only one !