Could I Be Pregnant Again?

http://www.dermatology.svhm.org.au/MCH/MCH%20Hair%20loss.htm

http://www.dermatology.svhm.org.au/MCH/MCH%20Hair%20loss.htm

A., Here are a couple of links that explain post partum hair loss. It is normal. I'm a mom of 2, after the first child I had some hair loss, it was annoying but short-lived. After the second child I lost tons of hair, to the point that I was getting some really thin spots. It took what felt like forever for it to all grow back, but I once again have a healthy head of hair.

Good luck, S.

Hi A. M. Your hair usually stops its regular cycle of "shedding" during a pregnancy. Then all the old dead hair falls out all at once during the postpartum stage. I am concerned it might be your Thyroid. An impalance of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) can cause hair loss, tiredness, and weight change. Definately mention it to your Dr. and he/she will probablly check your hormone levels.

I started losing hair around 4-5 months after I gave birth. It's completely normal, but I agree with everyone else, if you're unsure take a pregnancy test or go to the doctors. :)

You should have your Thyroid checked. It is a simple blood test and all of your symptoms add up. Pregnancy does strange things to a body and your thyroid can easily get screwed up. Best of luck!

I so know how you feel! When my daughter was six months old, my hair started falling out in clumps...and it really scared me! But, from what I now know, it's actually residual from my pregnancy...and when my son turned around the same age, I lost a bunch of hair again (and I have very thin, fine hair anyway). When he was about 18 months old, I was having my hair done for a relative's wedding, and the bride's hairdresser asked me if I'd been sick about a year earlier. I said hold old my son was, and he nodded and said, "That's why." I had a few inches of new growth, suggesting that a lot of hair had fallen out at one point.

I don't know about the other symptoms, but in my experience, the falling out is completely normal.

Normal. I am at the same stage (almost 5 month old baby). It happens around this time (hair loss, mood swings, sleepiness). I am especially noticing it now with long hair (it is evvverywhere around the house). I believe it is hormones changing within the body from the birth of the baby. You should just call the nurse line for the local hospital to check on this. They will let you know if you need to come in before you go through the hassle. I am pretty darn sure it is just a stage though and will end soon (the hair loss at least) ;0)

Your lack of energy and hair loss sound like hypothyroid.. a simple blood test is needed to determine that. If you are nursing - fatigue and hair loss could be attributed to that.. women who are pregnant do not shed hair like they do when they arent pregnant... so once you're no longer pregnant, that hair sheds rather quickly, but can be slowed by breast feeding which helps to regulate post partum hormone levels.

I'd get a thyroid test asap

Hi, A. - I'm sorry you're dealing with all that, and as a fellow "Navy widow", I know how hard it is, especially when he's gone! I have 3 kids, ages 10, 7, and 3, and when each of them was between 3 and 10 months or so, I lost LOTS of hair, I believe because of hormone adjustments that go along mainly with nursing. If you're nursing, this may be part of it. Other things to consider with the sleepiness and moodiness are thyroid problems, which can also cause hair loss. Do any thyroid disorders run in your family? It can be hereditary. As for "nothing to stress over", be easy on yourself - it is hard work having a toddler, a newborn, and no spouse there to support you - you DO have more stress than you realize! You may want to see your doctor and talk about what's going on - the sooner it's under control, the sooner you can focus on your 2 beautiful girls. Good luck!

A.-

Pregnancy is unlikely with those symptoms. Losing hair often happens after baby turns 4 or 5 months. Being moody and sleepy can happen if you're not getting enough sleep. And with a 2yr old and a 5 month old, enough sleep is hard to come by. As for "nothing to stress over" two small kids at home with daddy away is enough to stress out anyone. And you don't have to feel "stressed" in order for your body to feel it.

Take a home pregnancy test if you're feeling unsure, but your symptoms sound like post-baby stuff to me.

Take care and good luck!
-B.-

when my daughter was about 3 months I lost a lot of hair. I actually heard it was worse when you're breastfeeding. But I really do think you need to get your thyroid checked, especially since you have been tired a lot.

Significant hair loss is common about this time after you've had a baby. Typically when you are pregnant, you will have LESS than normal hair fallout!

Get your thyroid checked too.. hair loss can be an indicator of an out-of whack thyroid too... common after giving birth too. Sometimes it level itself out after a while.. or it might be a permanent thyroid problem. See your doctor, explain your symptoms and ask him to check your thyroid and run any other tests that may give him clues.

Like everyone before me said, have your thyroid checked...and make sure they check all three levels (T3, T4, and TSH)! I had these symptoms and was relating them to new-momness and a car accident, was tested once and they only checked the most common level, which was normal. Months later another doctor checked all three and two were WAY off. I got on medication and have been doing great ever since! I lost hair, half my eyebrows, and was extremely moody and tired, plus I was unable to lose any baby weight until I got regulated through medication. And you don't want to get pregnant again if you do have a low thyroid, it's really bad for the baby! Good luck, remember to take care of yourself so you can take care of your family!

my hair started falling out when my daughter was about 5 -6 months old. i think it just has to do with hormonal changes after giving birth and the stress of parenting. i was told at the time that everyone's hair falls out a few months after giving birth. it eventually stops and goes back to normal. my daughter's 9 now and my hair is normal. it will come back. good luck!

Ahsley,
The same exact thing happened to me about 5 months after my daughter was born - I even had thick, long naturally curly hair like you! It got very thin and relaxed, but a few months later started growing in thick and curly again. Now my daughter is 13 months old and I just cut the last of the thin scraggly ends off (yay!!!).

I don't think you could be preggers because you don't lose any hair during pregnancy - which is why you're losing a ton now. It's natural, and if you're breast feeding it's probably happening now because you are just beginning to feed your little one some rice cereal or baby food, right? That's what my doc told me - that when your baby starts eating things other then just breast milk your hormones change (AGAIN), and you can get moody, lose your hair, etc. Coming from a fellow curly girl, I know how depressing it is to lose your thick curls - but at least know that mine came back even better then before!! And if you need some help in the mean time I found this awesome site: www.naturallycurly.com.

Good luck!

i have a six month old and have those exact same things. i have been losing a lost of hair for 2 months or so and my moodswings are constant. i am considering going to the naturopath but if you get any great advice please feel free to share. good luck, k

You may want to have your thyroid checked. My sister was having problems with hair loss, weight gain, mood changes, and thought it was her birth control. Her labs kept coming back "within normal range", until she finally went to a specialist. They diagnosed her thyroid problem and she's on medication and doing fine now.

did you take a quick home test?

are your breasts tender too? what about food, do you crave anything?

Hi A....I would go to a doctor and get yout thyroid tested because those are all classic and very common signs of hypothyroidism. It's also very common to develop this condition after having a baby. I am hypothyroid myself so i am familiar with this scenerio! Good luck! P. Sue

Hi A.,
Do you get what seem to be hot flashes as well as all the other symptoms....?
Sounds like you have a thyroid problem. Be checked by your doctor now... There are many effects from have your Thyroid out of whack, the biggest one is a stroke.
I know I have had the problem for a long time and I was not tested and treated for this and had many small strokes. It was not discovered until after my fifth child turned 3 yrs old. Please go to the Doctors and talk to him/her, if this is not your thyroid your doctor will help figure out what is going on.
Good Luck

It's most likely the normal process of the changing hormones post pregnancy. You said you have a 5 month old, so do I. I am going through the hair loss period right now too. This is a normal occurance post pregnancy. I've had it with both my pregnancies. If you're really concerned, just give your OB a call. They will reassure you this is a normal happening.

You could take a pregnancy test... or, it could be a thyroid problem

PLEASE go to the doctor about this. I have never heard of losing gobs of hair when first prego. Only when you're a few months post partum. It could be nothing, but it could be thyroid, hormone imbalance...I guess that could mean pregnancy, but why not just ask your doc and put your mind at ease?

You may want to have your thyroid checked. Of course, you will need to go to the Dr.s in order to do this. But I recently had my first child, and it is fairly common for women to have hypothyroidism when they reach their 30s and/or with pregancy. Something like 1/10 pregnant women may end up with a thyroid problem.

If you are really concerned about pregnancy, go buy a test. They are very accurate, now.

OR - you may just need a break. Find a sitter or family and give yourself a treat. A pedicure, spa day or just take yourself to dinner and a movie. Try to get some "you" time once a week, even if only for a couple hours.

But I would go in to the Dr. and check out everything - just to clear your mind of any worries.

Best of luck.

A friend of mine went through the same thing, she lost all of her eyebrows! When she went to the Dr., they said it was her hormones leveling out and while her hair did come back, it was not something that her Dr. guaranteed.

I wish you the best of luck and hope it is just a temporary thing.

I have nothing to back this up, but I wonder if taking Prenatal vitamins would help the hair grow back?

Let me know how it all turns out?

M.

You may want to have your thyroid checked, as low thyroid hormone can cause all of the symptoms you have listed. Some other symptoms are: feeling cold all the time, depression, and (sometimes)slight weight gain. It can be easily managed by taking a pill(synthetic thyroid hormone)daily, as prescribed. In the meantime, hope your Dr. visit goes well & that you will be feeling better soon.

i WOULD CALL YUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATLY. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE A HYPER THYROID. THERE IS A SPECIFIC DISEASE CALLED HOSHIMOTOS THYROIDITIS. THE SYMPTOMS YOU HAVE SEEM EXTREMELY SIMILIAR. I HAD THIS WHEN I WAS 16. IT IS VERY TREATABLE. HOWEVER IT IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT TO SEE YOURR DOCTOR

I'm thinking it's just hormone changes A.. It takes a women who just had a baby a full year to recover, the biggest changes being hormone changes. It sounds like you have your hands full and maybe sleep part could be from not getting enough zzzz's?? Have you taken a pregnancy test yet?

My other thought is something to do with your Thyroid. If your concerned you should go see your Doc and they can run some tests.

Are you taking a multivitamin by chance? If your nursing you should still be on your Prenatal vitamin. :) Hopefully I was of a little help!

A.

wow! your husband is away from home in the Navy while there is a war going on. and you have 2 babies. What do you mean you have nothing to stress about? Denial is an inaffective way to deal with life's difficulties. I'm not saying that your symptoms are caused by stress but I do think it's a possibility.

And if you know what's going on before you go to the doctor then you could give the doctor the answers. I don't think that will work either. Just go and get rid of concern for your health and/or pregnancy so that you will have one less stress in your life. "Should I go? Should I not go?" types of questions are stressful in and of themselves.

I believe that it's nearly impossible to not have stress in your life and that medical intervention could help. But first it will help if you are able to accept the idea that you have stress and that stress may be causing your symptoms. I may be way off. Perhaps you do yoga, meditation or some other stress relieving activites and so have stress under control.

I have had and continue to have treatment for both depression and anxiety. Treatment has made a noticeable difference in my life. It's nothing to be ashamed or afraid of. No one is a super woman or super mom. Some of us need more help than others and that is OK in today's world. Medication and therapy allowed me to be successful in an extremely stressful job. I've found that, on the whole, being a single parent is more stressful than being a police officer.

I empathize with you. I know that what is happeing to your body may be the result of illness or pregnancy but at the same time I would like for you to know that you are holding your family together under difficult circumstances. You are a good person to be raising your children while your husband is away. Give yourself credit for doing a difficult job!

I agree that it could be a thyroid issue - but no one other than your doctor and some tests will know for sure. I have hypothyroidism (specifially Hashimoto's Disease) and was diagnosed 4 months after my first son was born. I take a daily medication and will for the rest of my life and get blood tests every so often - nothing too hard to deal with at all.

Hi A.,

It could be that you are overexhausted. I have been loosing hair recently, and henna really helps to strengthen your hair and significantly reduces hair loss to almost none.

I got some organic henna at a health store - and they have all different colors. Taking vitamins should also help.

You will find out whether you are pregnant pretty soon - just do the test.

Good luck,

K.

A little about me:

I am a working mom with two sweetest boys, 4 and almost 2 years old.

It is possible, even if you haven't started your period again. But it's also possible that you're just exhausted from the new demands of having two small children. I know I lost alot of hair when I was nursing. If I were you, I'd run to the pharmacy and pick up a pregnancy test kit just to put your mind at ease. Also, I don't know what kind of support you have, but try to get a few hours for yourself each week to rest...nap, take a soak in the tub...it will really help you be the best mom you can be. Good luck!