I wanna cry....

[MissM]

Just when I thought I would be one of those lucky ones, my post-partum shedding has set in. My daughter is almost five months old and it started at the three month mark. Strands are EVERYWHERE, if someone ever gets killed in our apartment after we move out they are going to use this hair as evidence against me!!!

So here is my dilema: ok, biotin is supposed to stop hair shedding, sooooooo should I get back on it and hold on to this hair that is supposed to have come out? Or would it be healthier to let the hair shed, cause it seems like I would only be delaying the inevitable?

I'm just so frustrated and I don't know how much longer I can stand this. I literally have a pile of hair on the bathroom counter when I am done putting my hair up into my bun. And I admit I do run a wide-toothed comb through it daily to get rid of what is going to come out, otherwise it's like double the hair the next day. I have also continued to wear my hair up so that helps.

Sorry to go on...but I just hate this!!!!

The things we women go through to bear children

 

[inthepink]

I hope someone else has good suggestions for you but I wanted to say that your hair is beautiful and I'm sure when the shedding is done, it will still be beautiful and thick and healthy!

 

[Armyqt]

Are you breastfeeding right now? If not, then maybe you can start a vitamin regimen that may help with some of the shedding. Like trying MSM, biotin and a protein supplement for example. I doubt anything topical would help right now, because your shedding is due to internal reasons. In any case, ITA with Hairlove. Your hair is beautiful and I'm sure it'll still be that way after the shedding.

 

[Boadicea]

You may want to try the Biotin B-complex shampoo and conditioner from Avalon Organics. Massage it into your scalp and leave it on for a minute or two.

 

[Miosy]

MissM, don't worry about the shedding. Mine started when my son was 3 months and I shed really bad like a cat. I had hair all over the place...bunches of hair. My best advice to you is to let nature take it's course and not mess around with your hair. Keep it in a protective style. Also, keep up with your relaxer touch ups on time because for some reason when I relaxed and everything was one texture I shed less. It will stop eventually. Just be very gentle when you detangle because I actually broke a lot of hair when I used to pull on the shed hairs. The hairs that shed will sometime pull on your regular hair so be extra gentle when you detangle. Let them fall out naturally. My son is 16 months and it has slowed down drastically. Keep track with progress pictures that why you can see that your hair is still growing even though your still shedding. Also, don't do any styles that will cause excessive pulling and try not to comb more than once a day. It will be okay.

 

[AJamericanDiva]

Girl, I too feel your pain as I am due April 13. That just happens to be my 9 year old's birthday. When I was pregnant with her I wasn't aware of haircare, but for sure I had two thin spots that bothered the heck outta me. It was in the front portion of my hairline. My hairline looked like it receded so much that I wouldn't even wear my hair back. (I felt like an old man!)

It wasn't until reading Philip Kingsley's "Hair Bible" recently that I realized what it was. I remember it being a problem when my daughter was 4 months old... it was receded, so obviously it started sooner. According to their studies, 50% of women have postpartum fall. They showed a picture of a woman's hairline 18 weeks postpartum and that was when my lightbulb went off. It doesn't look like there's much we can do aside from continuing to give our hair TLC. I plan to breastfeed, so I can't overdo the vitamin thing so soon. What I will do is increase my protein intake... I don't particularly care for meat, but I'll eat more salmon, fish, eggs and drink protein shakes. I hope you'll be here to hold my hand when I start bawling in a few months. Heads up, Girlie!

Like you said, "The things we women go through to bear children

"

 

[DigitalRain]

I shed a lot of hair after the birth of my child, but no one could ever tell. The appearance of my hair didnt change. It seemed like I was shedding excess hair that I never shed during my pregnancy. I can tell you that in my case the shedding eventually leveled off. When I get a chance I will upload pics of my post pregnancy hair.

 

[AJamericanDiva]

Re: I wanna cry....P.S.

Although I know this shedding will be hormonal, I will continue using Surge and may even try Nutrine garlic shampoo...

 

[miss_brown]

Re: I wanna cry....P.S.

Ditto on the MSM suggestion (if you're not breastfeeding). I've never been pregnant, so I can't exactly relate, but I do know that MSM has decreased my shedding tremendously. Good luck and it looks like you've already gotten some good suggestions from ladies that have been there.

 

[balleryna]

Re: I wanna cry....P.S.

Sending mommy a big {{Hug}}. It will be ok. And good idea! IF YOUR'RE NOT BREASTFEEDING try also adding MSM to your regimen.

 

[balleryna]

Re: I wanna cry....P.S.

oohhh and how about some lavender oil too. It will make you and baby feel wonderful!

 

[14got]

Re: I wanna cry....P.S.

what you can't take it while breast feeding

P.S Diva I check out your pic and you look so cute pregs!!!

 

[AJamericanDiva]

Re: I wanna cry....P.S.

[ QUOTE ]
Kei said:
what you can't take it while breast feeding

P.S Diva I check out your pic and you look so cute pregs!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Awe, thanks, Miss Kei!!! I feel like my belly is taking over my body. Did you see the pics Adrienne posted from the So Cal get together? So Cal LHCF pics
I just know this shedding is going to be an issue for me a few months after my baby is born. I'm wondering if I should continue to do braids even after the baby so I won't freak out about the shedding. Then again, I could feel worse when I take the braids out when I see all the unshedded hair accumulated in one spot. You just can't win. Oh, well.

I will definitely increase my protein intake, be it by eating more fish, cottage cheese, eggs or protein shakes.

 

[Cat_Eyed_Cutie]

Re: I wanna cry....P.S.

My daughter is 9 months old and is breastfed. I just started taking my vitamins last week, after clearing it with my Dr. I haven't had any shedding at all, that God. But my Dr and stylist tell me I'm not out of the woods yet. It takes 1-2 years after breastfeeding for a womans hormones to return to prepregnancy levels. Since the change in hormones is what causes postpregnancy shedding and breakage, it can take a good long while for your hair to stop.

 

[AJamericanDiva]

Re: I wanna cry....P.S.

[ QUOTE ]
Cat_Eyed_Cutie said:
My daughter is 9 months old and is breastfed. I just started taking my vitamins last week, after clearing it with my Dr. I haven't had any shedding at all, that God. But my Dr and stylist tell me I'm not out of the woods yet. It takes 1-2 years after breastfeeding for a womans hormones to return to prepregnancy levels. Since the change in hormones is what causes postpregnancy shedding and breakage, it can take a good long while for your hair to stop.

[/ QUOTE ]

Can I be scared any further???

Then again, you might be one of the lucky ones that have no shedding....

 

[MissM]

Re: I wanna cry....P.S.

Thanks guys, I'll definitely be purchasing that MSM. I decided not to breastfeed so I'll be ok with taking the MSM.

Miosy, girl, it sounds like your post partum shedding lasted a LONG time. I sure hope I don't have to go that long. AJAmericanDiva, congratulations on your pregnancy!!! Girl, I sure don't miss what you're going thru....it's gonna take a while for some "amnesia" to set in before I want to do it again

!!

You know I have come up with an idea for all those strands. I think I'll tape them together to create wefts of hair and try some hair coloring experiments on them!!! Or mayyybee I'll make my own phony-pony!! At least it'll blend in real good!!!

 

[14got]

Re: I wanna cry....P.S.

[ QUOTE ]
AJamericanDiva said:
[ QUOTE ]
Kei said:
what you can't take it while breast feeding

P.S Diva I check out your pic and you look so cute pregs!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Awe, thanks, Miss Kei!!! I feel like my belly is taking over my body. Did you see the pics Adrienne posted from the So Cal get together? So Cal LHCF pics

[/ QUOTE ]

Too cute. I think women look cute pregnant, everybody esle but me. I looked like an 18 wheeler or some Biggie size fries. lol.

 

[Honi]

Re: I wanna cry....P.S.

MissM...I know what your sayin girl. My shedding didn't start until she was 3 months. It seemed that everytime I ran my hands thru my hair there was hair everywhere. On the steps in my home, my husbands clothes, my babies hair! LOL

I got sick of it so I did a rollerset and went thru it with a comb to get all the loose hair out. I took a picture of it along with the amount I had my hubby snip off in my album. When my boom boom is older, I'm going to show it to her!