Hair Loss After Childbirth - East Canton,OH

Updated on January 16, 2009
A.M. asks from East Canton, OH
27 answers

I recently had a baby a little over 3 months ago. Since her birth, I have noticed my hair has started to fall out. I have read about this, and it has to do with your hormones and how they change after you have a baby. I experienced this with my first daughter, but not to this extreme. It was just a few stands here and there but now it seems to be getting worse and actually noticable. I was just wondering if anyone else has gone through this and at what point I should be concerned, or if there is anything I can do about it at this point. Also, on a totally different subject, I also have not had a regular period since having my baby. I'm nursing so I'm on the mini pill which I religiously take every morning within an hour of the day before. Again, I'm just wondering at what point I should become concerned. Any advise would be much appreciated. Thanks!

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S.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

Totally normal! I lossed more than I had gained so my hair is thinner now. But, at 9 months it started to grow back in. I have really obnoxious whispies now, but they'll grow out and then I'll have normal hair again.

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N.K.

answers from Toledo on

My little one is 5 1/2 months & my hair still comes out by the handfulls. I read online that it should start to go back to normal around 6 months postpartum... I hope that's true! I literally have to "collect" my hair in the shower so it won't clog the drain!
I can't wait for this to stop & for my hair to go back to normal!!

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J.C.

answers from Fort Wayne on

Hair loss is normal after having a baby. My doctor told me if I was worried about it, I could continue to take my prenatal for 6 months or so afterwards. She said it was due to the strong dosages of vitamins that came along with the prenatals, and suddenly not having them going into my system

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E.M.

answers from Indianapolis on

There are many women (nursing or not) who completely stop having their period on the mini pill. There's really no health concern with it, just that it makes it harder to tell if you get pregnant again because you won't know if your period is late or missed.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.K.

answers from Columbus on

After 4.5 months I thought I was going to go bald, but it did get better!!

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E.I.

answers from Cleveland on

http://www.mirtadeperales.us/

Try this website. this Shampoo and conditioners and other products u can use to u.

good Luck

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E.S.

answers from Toledo on

I had massive hair loss after both my kids, starting about three months after giving birth and lasting about three months after that. It was very upsetting, so I know how you feel! Make sure you are getting plenty to eat and taking your vitamins, however. Your body is using a lot of nutrients to feed the baby and if you are deficient in some nutrients hair loss could be more severe.
And if you are breastfeeding I wouldn't expect to have a period until the baby is 6 months old or more. Whenever she starts to go 4 and 5 hours between a feeding, like if she's sleeping longer at night or you are giving her solids (which really you don't need to do until she's closer to a year if you are breastfeeding, although everyone and their brother will tell you to give her cereal at 6 months). Regardless, breastfeeding exclusively every 2-3 hours will prevent you from ovulating. Nature's way of making sure you don't have another baby before your body can handle it! Sounds like your body is adjusting normally so relax and enjoy your little ones!

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J.C.

answers from Cincinnati on

I was in the same situation with the hair loss. I lost a lot but it eventually slowed down. As far as your period, I nursed for a year and did not have a period at all. I thought that was a wonderful perk for breast feeding! :)

Good Luck!
J.

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B.R.

answers from Indianapolis on

I'm not sure about the hair loss, but I didn't have a regular period until my son was about 7 months old. It's due to nursing and it's TOTALLY normal. I was on the pill too to try and encourage it, but it'll just come in it's own time.
Kudos on the nursing, btw! It's so hard sometimes, but I swear you'll miss it when it's over.

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J.L.

answers from Cleveland on

Well, technically you shouldn't have a regular period while you are nursing.

Have you been pretty tired, retaining water? I'm just asking b/c I lost a lot of hair, was really tired even when my daughter slept through the night and a few other things and I turned out my Thyroid was completely on the fritz. I also couldn't get a full milk supply in and that due to my Thyroid. I chalked all of my symptoms up to being a new first-time Mom, then at one point I thought I was pregnant again b/c I kept gaining weight despite dieting. Thankfully, my job had a health fair and the blood test caught it for me. It might be worth following up with your Doctor about.

Sometimes you loose more hair/less hair with diff. pregnancies, but it's difficult to tell. They can check your Thyroid with a small blood test.

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K.W.

answers from Columbus on

Hair loss after delivery is normal not mention that it is also winter. It is not abnormal that your period hasn't returned. This is because you are nursing.

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A.N.

answers from Cleveland on

The hair loss you describe sounds perfectly normal to me. I lost a lot of hair after both my kids were born, and it lasted up to six months or even more. The second baby was worse than the first, but it has all grown back now.

I breastfed exclusively and did not get a period until 8 or 9 months after delivering. I didn't take the pill, so I'm not sure what effect that might have though.

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T.V.

answers from South Bend on

I have had 7 babies and have had lots of hair loss! It has gotten worse with each one. At times I feel like I will be bald but it does stop! At around 10 months is when it will end and get better!

On the period thing, I do not have one while I am nursing. My last baby is about 3 months old and until I quit nursing I do not get a period. Yes, a great perk of nursing! Enjoy it while it lasts! Some people I know get their periods sooner but I never have until I am done! I actually think I will still pump until she is two so I can put off this part of my life! Congrats on the new one, it definitely is an adventure! With every new one has brought new and greater challenges! Treasure every one because they grow fast and before you know it there gone, my oldest is 17! Hope this helps!

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M.D.

answers from Muncie on

I am actually a cosmetologist, and your hair loss is called post partum alopecia. I know it can be very stressful, but there are some things that you can buy that might help. Women's rogaine has worked for some of my clients, I would try that, but check with your doctor first. Also, about missing your period, I wouldn't worry. You only had your daughter three months ago, and since you are breastfeeding, that makes your period take longer to come back. I breastfed my 4 year old until she naturally weaned herself at about 8 months old, and I didn't have a period for the first year after her birth, plus I lost all of my baby weight plus 15 more pounds. This all will pass, trust me, you just need to consult with your doctor about a treatment for your hair, but my advice is women't rogaine. Hope this helps!

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D.C.

answers from Cleveland on

I too had a lot of hair come out when I washed my hair (I also had thick hair) after having my kids. It seemed to take a quite a few months till it adjusted itself. My youngest is nine now, but I nursed him and my now 14 year old. I remember them telling me you won't get a period when breastfeeding, although, you could get pregnant while breastfeeding. Once you stop nursing, your body will adjust itself to start back up on your cycle. I think it was within that first month after stopping. It's always good to ask your OBGYN or one of their nurses for reassurance. I had a lactation nurse who was really helpful.

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M.C.

answers from Youngstown on

Hi A......about 4 months after I had my daughter my hair started to fall out...bad. I was shocked everytime I took a shower handfulls would come out. I have very thick hair, so it did not become noticeable to anyone but me. I lost a lot! It stopped after about 3 weeks or so.

I don't have any advice really, I just wanted to let you know that it happened to me too. I did not have to do anything about it because I did have such thick hair to begin with. I would call your ob/gyn if you are getting concerned. Good luck and congrats on your baby!

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P.R.

answers from Indianapolis on

If you think it is a hormone imbalance and you are back on the "mini" pill it is time to speak with your physician because your hormones should be getting back into balance by this time.

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A.C.

answers from Dayton on

I had that happen after my pregnancy with my daughter. I remember that I didn't lose ANY hair during the pregnancy. Exactly 3 months after giving birth, I had CLUMPS of it coming out. It was EVERYWHERE and I would swore I was going bald. After about a month, the hair loss slowed and went back to normal. Now my hair is the same as it was before I got pregnant. I know it's disconcerting to see it all come out, and the difference between the thickness of your pregnant hair and current hair is probably pretty noticeable, but I'm sure your hair will go back to normal soon. I would be very surprised if it ends up any thinner than before your pregnancy. Good Luck!

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J.F.

answers from Toledo on

LOL, I'm not laughing at you don't worry. Its just funny to me to actually see that someone else is going through exactly what I'm dealing with.

The hair loss does seem to get worse (and last longer) with each kid. I had my 3rd in May (8 months ago!) and I am still losing just as much hair in each shower and style as I did when it started about a month after she was born. I am totally convinced that I have lost twice as much hair as I gained during pregnancy. So if you figure out a way to stop it, pleas let me know.

As for the other issue, I too am nursing and on Micronor. I have nursed all of my kids. My first weaned herself a week before her first birthday and I didn't get a period until she was about 14 months old. I still haven't had a period with this one yet either. Don't worry about it and just enjoy it. That's how I look at it.

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R.B.

answers from Toledo on

Hi A.,
I had the same experience with the post-pregnancy hair loss. I had friends who had experienced this, but it doesn't prepare you for the shock when it happens to you. We don't shed hair while pregnant, which gives us such thick, beautiful hair. However, it eventually comes out, about 3 or 4 months after delivery. With some people it is smaller strands and not as noticable. Mine fell out in larger clumps and was expecially noticable around my hairline. I don't know of anything you can do but wait for it to grow back. That is the real challenge. I had very long hair, and the regrowth areas stuck out all over my head, so I got a shoulder length, layered cut to blend it in. That worked well. With the nursing, I didn't get my period back until nine months, when my baby went through a period of sleeping through the night in a crib and therefore not nursing at night. Everyone is different, and some women who nurse go for even longer before periods return. Hope this all helps to calm your worries! Be well, R.

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M.H.

answers from Cincinnati on

Hi, A.. Congratulations on your new one!
It is normal to lose a more-than-normal amount of hair after giving birth. Though I don't know if there is a point that is considered too much. While I don't have a medical answer, if it were me, I would probably check w/ my dr. just to be sure.

As for the periods returning, that can very widely - especially with breastfeeding. With my two, I got my period back at 11 mos. and 8 mos. I also have friends who never got their period until after they had completely stopped breastfeeding. At 3 mos postpartum, I wouldn't be concerned.

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M.C.

answers from Cleveland on

I did not experience the hair loss, but I do have some knowledge on the periods. After I had my son, I nursed him for a year and I never had a period. I had my daughter a year ago and I am still nursing her. However, I started having sporatic periods about 4 months ago. I talked to my doctor about it and she said it is just my body responding differently to different pregnancies/nursing needs and that it is no big deal. One thing I did not mention is that I am not on any sort of birth control pill. I don't know how that may or maynot affect the situation.

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S.C.

answers from Evansville on

I went through the same thing with my hair after all four of my kids were born. I'd feel like I was going bald. Eventually I'd give in & cut it off shoulder length or shorter just so I wouldn't have to deal with long hair every where.

I read somewhere that you normally lose 100 hairs a day but when you are pregnant you don't lose nearly as many. After giving birth you can lose up to 300 hairs a day! It should only last a few months, so don't lose heart!

As for having no period, that isn't unusual at all. My periods didn't start back up until near or after my kids' first birthdays. It can be one of the benefits of exclusive breast feeding. But keep taking that pill. You can get pregnant even if you haven't started your period yet. I did while nursing my second child. In fact, I never had a period between baby #2 & baby #3!

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A.W.

answers from Cleveland on

Oh yes, this happened to me and especially around my hairline. I just kept taking my prenatal pills. I also worked with my hairdresser who gave me Protein Treatments to strenghten my hair. My hair is fine now. It took about 6-7 months for it to get back in shape. I would recommend staying away from any harsh chemicals on your hair and keep it moisturized as much as possible.

Also, after I had my son, I did breast feed. I think I finally got my period about 6 months after I delivered my son.

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S.L.

answers from Cincinnati on

Ask your OB/GYN to run a thyroid test- sometimes childbirth can mess with your thyroid which messes up a lot of other stuff. It's a quick simple blood test and the results can be turned around in 48 Hrs. The meds for thyroid issues are inexpensive and totally necessary if you have a disorder. They are like one of less then 10 drugs you should take when you're pregnant if you need them. I know, it happened to me. Feel free to email if you have any questions.

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L.D.

answers from Columbus on

My daughter just turned 4 months and my hair just recently has started falling out by the handful!! I freaked out about it after my first child was born but it's normal...ask your hairdresser. You may not have noticed but I bet it didn't fall out at all while you were pregnant!! I have not had a period yet either and am nursing and with my son it was around 6 months (when I started weaning him) that I got my period back!!
All in all, you're normal!! :)

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K.I.

answers from Indianapolis on

Hi A.
Many things can cause these problems and I am sure it's just hormones getting back on track in your body, however I wanted to also add that after having a baby, it's not uncommon for your thyroid to become a little under active and that will definitely cause your hair to fall out and your period to be strange. I know, because I am going through it right now myself and my thyroid specialist has told me that is what is causing it. Just to be on the safe side, ask one of your doctors to do a blood test for thyroid function if they haven't already.
I hope it straightens out for you soon :)
K.

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