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PETA TODD MUM SQUAD

Mum-of-four Peta Todd tackles postpartum hair-loss for new mums and how it can affect self confidence

If you experience postpartum hair-loss, then Mrs Todd advises to just let it happen as you'll soon be having fun with hair growing in every direction

GLOSSY, luscious locks are common throughout pregnancy.

Well, for some of us.

It is supposed to balance out the nausea and swollen ankles.

Then the baby pops out and the list of fun postpartum symptoms rolls on.

Ailments can range from annoying to crushing.

After each of my four kids, the combination has been slightly different.

My least favourite hit after my two boys – postpartum hair loss.

I hoped after having Casper I might dodge it. Then . . . pow! Three months later, it began.

It was slight at first – just a few strands here and there – but a few days later my mane was everywhere apart from on my flippin’ head.

My pillows are covered, the children are tangled in it and its blocking all the plugholes.

Mark commented using some fairly spicy language that it was on everything he touched in our house – and he wasn’t wrong.

This time I was prepared, however – and confident it would grow back.

After I had Frey, it knocked me for six.

I knew it wasn’t the worst thing in the world but it affected my self-confidence.

I felt everyone would notice the bare patches above my temples, behind and around my ears.

I mentioned it on Instagram and got a huge response from hundreds of women in the same “shedding boat”.

I realised I’d never heard anyone talk about it before.

The messages kept coming, even from a few amazing ladies who suffered hair loss through other illnesses and treatments.

I’d never felt more like a Moaning Myrtle in my life.

I compiled a list – shampoos, vitamins, massages – and tried them all.

I get a lot of questions on social media about my hair.

It is mostly the work of my magician-like hairdresser Alex Garcia, or using filters on pictures.

I felt like concealing my bald spots wasn’t fair to my followers.

I too was experiencing the not-so-glam side of being a new mum.

Short of weaving your handfuls of hair into knitwear, my advice is simply ride it out, while knowing it is normal.

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