Hair Loss After Pregnancy

I guess you got plenty advice on this all ready but I still wanted to put my two cents in. I'm a hair stylist and I just wanted to add, incase you thought otherwise, that using a thickening shampoo will do nothing for hair loss. All it does is plump up or ruff up the hair a little to make it appear thicker. I think the best advice is to treat the situation internally because it's an internal problem so all the vitamin suggestions are great. If you wanted something physical, Nioxin is good, the Arbon is probably good, the Biolage that was mentioned is a great conditioner but not for hair loss and I don't know about the stuff the other hair stylist recommended, never heard of it. The most important thing is not to stress!

Good luck and have fun with you're new babies! Wow, what a handful!

You don't need to use anything. This is one of the normal things that happens after you have a baby. My hair fell out from about 3-7 months post-partum, and then it was fine. Don't worry about it.

Hey Julia!

Congratulations on the babies. Did you ever breastfeed? I know..silly question..having 3 to take care of. But I just wanted to let you know that it is very common if you breastfed to lose quite a bit of hair. I lost tons when I was pregnant and my daughter is almost 8 mo. and I am still losing it. You can cut your hair short (easier and there's always cute styles), or just remember that you are beautiful and I'm sure noone even notices. You are going through so much I can't even imagine worrying about this problem. However you need to feel good about yourself, so I hope something works out for you. Good Luck!!

I had a similar experience after having only 1 child. I lost my hair once I stopped taking the prenatel vitamins. I assumed the extra vitamins were helping, so I went to a vitamin store and talked to them. That helped some. I do think alot of it is just your body going back to how it used to be...sort of :-)

I have long hair, so I tried washing it less often, wearing it in different styles - so the hairband from always putting it in a pony tail didn't cause breakage and make things worse.

Godo luck.

Are you taking vitamins? You need to - prenatal if you are nursing.

Also, my thyroid recently crashed and hair loss is a big symptom of that. I would ask your doctor to check yours - an easy blood test can determine your levels.

Hope you get some better advice than mine - but go get your thyroid level checked for sure.

C.

Julia, Congratulations on your precious gifts! :) There isn't much you can do, it's part of your body's natural way of rebalancing itself. Sometimes it takes about 6 months to a year for your body to fully regain it's "normal self". I'm not sure how long your hair is, but when I was losing mines, it seem better after I cut it, less weight on the hair follicles. Something else you can try is scalp massage treatments. It helps stimulate the follicles for hair growth. Let me know if you're interested and I'll give you more details on it. Relax, and enjoy your babies, I know, easy said than done. :)

The same thing happened to me after I had my son. It totally freaked me out. I have very thick hair as it is but, the amount I was losing I thought for sure I would be bald. I am here to say I am not. Once your hormone levels adjust you start to lose all that pregnancy hair! You could go back on the prenatal vitamin.

It does seem like you are loosing a lot, but your hair growth will return normal and while it may seem thin for now it will return. You just need to wait it out.

Hi, I use to work for a dermatologist and this is a very normal response after giving birth. Many moms came into the office worried about this problem and the doctor told them not to. It's a hormone thing and it could take as long as 9 months after giving birth for your hormone levels to level-off and that is when everything else will return to normal. A vitamin call Biotin was always recommended if you want to do something now to help stabilize your hair loss. It's safe and ok to use if you're breast feeding. I hope it helps and congrats on the triplets.

I also lost a lot of hair- but I wasn't worried about needing Rogaine- I would go see my doctor if I was you- then a nutritionist. The hormones are rough after having babies- I can't imagine what its like after triplets. I would make sure your hormones are too out of wack- and seeing a nutritionist will help you put the right things in your body to help in your recovery. Good Luck!

Hi Julia! Congrats on your triplets.. it makes me tired just thinking of your everyday!
I had 2 babies back to back and after my second pregnancy my hair began falling out as you described. It is very normal and I believe you just have to let it run it's course as I think it is all the hair you should have lost at a normal rate while pregnant but didn't due to the extra hormones that were running through your body. I have hair below my shoulders and found it annoying when it fell out.. it was everywhere.. on my infant, in his diapers, down my pants.. you know what I mean, I am sure. Anyhow, I cut my hair to my chin to reduce the annoyance of having long stray hairs all over the place. That was my solution and it made me happy.. however, I know lots of women are afraid to cut their hair... so it may not work for you. My motto is "It's just hair, it will grow back."

Hello,
I had the same thing happen to me when I had my daughter. It was 3 months after she was born as well. I went to the doctor and he said it comes with the territory. Nothing can realy stop it. Mine fell out for a good couple of months and then stopped. It was really hard on me because I lost it towards the front hairline so I couldn't where poneytails because I had bald spots by my forhead. Once it stopped falling out it grew back right away.I kept taking my prenatal pills for 10 months after giving birth which I thought might help grow the hair back quicker. Hang in there it happens to the best of us

Hi Julia
Congrats on your babies. My hair also came out after pregnancy,I had bought biotin pills from the department store and it stopped coming down in clumps.I'm a hairdresser and we always would use biotin shampoo so try the shampoo and get the pills you will see a difference right away, you could get them at sprouts they are a liitle pricey so check out walmart or walgreens.Good Luck

www.janetesho.freelife.com

Hi Julia,

I strongly recommend that you look into getting acupuncture and taking chinese herbs. I am a licensed acupuncturist and after I had my son 2 years ago the same thing happened to me. Acupuncture and chinese medicine is extremely helpful in rebalancing your mind, body and spirit. I would definitely look into this. I agree with not using the rogaine. You need to treat your body internally and look into Nioxin shampoo and conditioner. I have used that and really liked it. If you have any more questions please feel free to contact me.

M.

Hi julia, first, congrats! I understand how excited you must be with your new babies. I just had a baby and my hairdresser tokd me that it is normal. My baby is 8months and my hair just Finally stoped falling out in clumps. My hairdresser told me it is the changing back of hormones. I am breastfeeding so your hormones take a little while longer. I talked to my lactation consultant and she said to take lots of vit. E (Fish Oil) . Hope this helps. Good luck for an exciting first year. J.

Hi, I have been a monitrice doula for 24 years so I know about the hair loss situation. It usually doesn't help to seek product as the loss comes from the shift in hormones, and vitamin loss. Also the thyroid plays a big part in after birth hair loss. Potassium, a good vitamin B complex, calcium/magnesium,have your thyroid checked. Also chiropractic and massage therapy helps.

Hi Julia. Congratulations on your new babies! And, Yes! This definitely happened to me too! I lost so much hair after having my son, but it started growing back slowly. I had these short, little, spiky hairs all over the place, but mainly in the front. It looked crazy for a while, but my son is 3.5 and it has totally all grown the same length now. :)
But, I wanted to respond to your post because I have found a product that works so well in helping mommies keep their hair and/or help it grow back quicker. It's Arbonne Intelligence Thermal Fusion Hair & Scalp Revitalizer. It's awesome, and it feels SO GOOD on your scalp! It smells good too, so I always feel like I'm pampering myself whenever I use is! :) Here's some info on it:

Arbonne Intelligence Thermal Fusion Hair & Scalp Revitalizer:
Revitalize and support the scalp naturally, with this sophisticated blend that supports hair follicles, thanks to a synergistic blend of nature and science.

Proprietary Blend: Thermal Fusion

Key Ingredients: Nanospheres, saw palmetto, horsetail and yucca extracts, vegetable protein, vitamins A, C, E

Hair Types: All

If you're interested in trying it out or have any questions, please let me know. Or you can visit my website to purchase it online yourself at: www.mandyolsen.myarbonne.com. Hope this helps! Good luck!

Sincerely,
M. O.
Executive Area Manager and Independent Consultant
Arbonne International
www.mandyolsen.myarbonne.com

I have a friend who swears by a product called Nioxin - available at Beauty Brands or Ulta. You can also purchase their oral vitamin supplement. Congrats on the triplets, you hang in there!

I had a ton of hair fall out at the three month mark after having my baby, and so did three of my friends. I think all you can do is wait it out because it is from hormonal fluctuations. It happened again several months later.

Julia, I too cried after I had my son via-C section. Between the surgery and not taking prenatal vitamins the thick hair I had grown while preagnant was coming out in clumps. So I went back on the prenatals. The hair fell out for a year but grew in. I had grown my hair out while preagnant but cut it all off and started new. My husband saw all the hair laying around I use to tell him oh its the cat. Ha Ha. I even was afraid of washing it. It happens, I feel for you. I was also postpartum which didnt help. And you have three wow. If you ever need someone to come over and help just email me. But short hair when you have kids, looks just as sexy and feminine and less time consuming.Enjoy those 3 darlings...

Hi Julia,

Not to worry! I have four kids and after my third (and my fourth) my hair too was coming out in clumps so much so I thought I'd be bald in a few months! Apparently it is somewhat common and will resolve on its own. By six to seven months post-partum you'll start regrowing your hair and it will be back to normal once it fills out. Keep your drains clear as they will back up quickly no matter how much you try to keep the hair out! Hope this helps!

J.

Don't worry too much, you'll eventually stop losing hair and it will grow back. I lost clumps of hair for about 2 months when my kiddo was about 3 months old. I was told it was hormonal. In the mean time talk to a hair stylist for recommendations. Also, if you're real worried, you could talk to your doctor and have your thyroid checked. That can cause hair loss too. But I'm sure it's just post pregnancy.

I had the same problem after having my daughter. My hairstylist told me that the best thing to use on your hair is Biolage deep conditioning balm. Its supposed to be used as a treatment like once a week but she told me to start using it daily and it made a world of difference. I have been using it ever since and havent found anything else that even comes close and my uncle owns a salon so I have tried many things and even he agrees that its the best. I know I will never use anything else and I swear I have tried EVERYTHING. Hope this helps.

I heard that flax seed and flax seed oil is good for the hair. The person who said she used it regularly had beautiful thick hair and swore it helped her hair health. I haven't tried it myself, but have taken flax for other things. Maybe it can help. Vitamin B vitamins are also good for health and stress/hormones. Try to google these to read more. My hair did change after my baby and it took a while to get back to normal, but I also attributed that to hitting my mid thirties. Best to you, you must be busy and I hope you have some extra hands for the three little angels.

K. B

Hi! I feel your pain! I lost a lot of hair with both my kids. Especially with my first. But almost all of it came back within a year. But I won't lie its not quite as thick as it was before I had my first...but not noticeably. The only thing I'd recommend is making sure you are still taking prenatals and getting enough iron and eating plenty of fruit and veggies...that way your body has all the nutrients it needs to grow back healthy hair! Hang in there it will come back!

i lost tons of hair for 6 months after pregnancy. it was awful, i thought i'd go bald! lol but it eventually slows down and gets back to what it was before.