Ladies, I’m about to get real honest up in here.
It pains me to tell you this, but I think you deserve to know that postpartum hair loss is a real thing.
I didn’t want to believe it, but you would be absolutely horrified if you saw the clumps of hair falling out of my head. I’m honestly shocked that I haven’t gone completely bald. My bathroom floor is covered in hair. My shower drain is on the verge of becoming clogged (don’t tell Brett). I have to clean my brush daily, and there are no less than twenty loose hairs on the back of my shirt, tickling my arms, all day every day. The worst of it occurred last Friday morning when I took a bite of scrambled eggs only to find…..you guessed it….a GIANT HAIR IN MY BREAKFAST.
It’s disgusting.
People told me that my hair looked extra thick while I was pregnant, especially after I posted our maternity pictures, but really, I didn’t notice a difference in my hair and thought I was still shedding about the same amount I always had. Allegedly, you don’t lose as much hair while you’re pregnant, so then you start playing catchup after you have the baby.
I’m trying not to panic. My hair stylist reassured me that I have plenty of hair. But when I look at the clumps (yes, CLUMPS) falling out in the shower, I can’t help but have a mini anxiety attack. I have no idea when this madness will end, but hopefully it stops before I need to start buying lots of this and lots of these.
p.s. That’s an old vacation photo of me drying my hair in Hawaii on the bed under a ceiling fan. Just call me an energy conservationist.
p.s.s. My blog is trying to figure out what it wants to be when it grows up. Would you mind filling out this quick survey? I would really, really appreciate it!
Oh boy, not looking forward to THAT someday, especially since I already shed like crazy!
Sarabell´s last [type] ..Thermopolis, Part Two
i was hoping that this was one of those post pregnancy myths which doesn’t necessarily come true–well it is something i have to look forward to around christmas time. everyone wants to feel bald around christmas
Lottie´s last [type] ..i have a watch finally.
Started happening around 12 weeks postpartum for me. Maybe you’ll get lucky…
Yep. Do you have the regrowth baby hairs yet? My hairdresser showed me and I was appalled.
We have a drain snake that we use for our shower drain. It’s really gross. But it works awesome! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BO9204/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000BO9204&linkCode=as2&tag=snapcasu-20
kelsey´s last [type] ..How Healthy Is Panera Bread?
Wait, WHAT?! What are these regrowth baby hairs? Like tiny little hairs growing back in? DOES EVERETT KNOW WHAT HE HAS DONE TO MY HAIR? That boy better recognize!
The regrowth hair was what drove me crazy! Like I was growing in a new set of bangs. The funny thing was that it grew at the same length as my daughter’s, so when her hair was an inch, so was mine. Luckily it’s not too hard to control with a bit of gel or hairspray.
I’ve had baby regrowth hairs around my bang line, and they are only finally (like, this week) to a point where I don’t hate them anymore.
They better buy us really nice presents for the rest of our life.
Lesley´s last [type] ..Why I’ve been seeing a counselor, and why I’m writing about it publicly.
Les, I have NEVER noticed that on you. And yes, they better.
Oh dear. Good thing I carry hairspray in my diaper bag.
I hear ya. After I had my first, I was SURPRISED my hair was falling out. Never in any book I read, never at any doctor appointment, did anyone ever tell me about this. I was surprised it was happening, and Googling like crazy when it first happened. Unfortunately – hate to say it – the growing back part is even worse.
Laura´s last [type] ..So What! Wednesday
You and Kelsey are freaking me out. Where does the hair grow back in? Like lots of tiny wispy hairs??
Oh no-i’m sorry. I am sure they are now lots of products to help, but I understand, I would be devestated losing my hair.
PS- just filled out your survey-hope it helps!
robyn´s last [type] ..Ma familia
Thanks Robyn! Appreciate it!
oh man, I’d freak! I absolutely adore my hair!
Haha…yes it is no joke. Wait till your next baby. It’s much worse then the first time. You’re hair will be ok. I was convinced I had alopecia and was seriously not normal…but it does end eventually. And your hair is still beautiful and I promise you will still have hair on your head when it’s done.
Ooooooooh man. Thanks for the warning with baby #2. Ugh.
Hey Ash –
I remember this happening too. And seriously why isn’t anything written about it in all the pregnancy books we buy and read??? I did not notice a difference between having you and Garrett, it seemed about the same.
And you are beautiful no matter what!!
Love, Mom
It IS written about in the pregnancy books. Maybe not the pregnancy books in 1986, but it is now. I just wanted to believe I’d be the exception. Wrong wrong wrong.
I did hair for ten years and even with experience, after studying trichology, hundreds of hairs fall out a day and it’s normal. What’s not normal is the hair not falling out. Then it catches up after a baby, stress, chemo, hormone changes, etc. You’ll be fine!
Also, maybe it’s the dirty minded person in me, but why can’t this happen in the southern region of our bodies?? It would so much time and money on hair removal devices and appointments!
diana´s last [type] ..August Break
LOL. Now THAT I would be okay with. Why didn’t I know you used to do hair?? A women of so many talents, you are.
I not only lost hair, I lost some of my curls.
The hair that grew back was less curly. And it was the hair right around my face. One more thing we do for our children.
Seriously, Everett better recognize. I’m going to make him clean my brushes when he’s older. Just kidding
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