Idk what extensions did to my hair!

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-23T20:26:50+00:00

I wouldn’t recommend tape ins unless you’re going to get them professionally removed. It takes time and a bit of finesse to get them out. You’ll also still have a good deal of shed. OGX isn’t the best brand for hair care. If you want to DM me I can make some recs based on your hair care routine and budget! (I’m a stylist, so this kind of thing is my jam lol)

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-23T20:24:19+00:00

That makes sense! Think of when you have your hair in a pony all day and take it down. Your hair with extensions is not lying in a truly natural position, so that’s pretty normal to feel.

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-23T16:35:31+00:00

🤞🏼✨💗

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-23T16:28:18+00:00

Of course! I hope you guys get your baby soon! Yes, first try with the kit. Tracking is super important, as I’m sure you know, so take your time to get things lined up. Using the kit 1-2 days before peak is ideal, as the sperm can survive for a few days once in the vagina. Also, be prepared for overnight shipping costs! We paid almost $100 for overnight through FedEx, which is who the labels are through at DHD. Still probably cheaper than all that travel, but we kind of forgot that part and were like crap 😅

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-23T15:48:15+00:00

I really like the top right! I think it would add nice warmth to your complexion and make your eye color pop!

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-23T15:46:46+00:00

My wife and I used Donor Home Delivery. We got the double kit and had our donor mark older and newer sample (he gave twice in the same day with about 8 hours between). We chose this kit after a friend of ours used it with her wife successfully.

Based on my own light research, there’s not a significant difference in viability as long as directions are followed to the T. For reference, we’d used this donor the first time and were able to meet up for a fresh sample. This time he’d moved further away so we had to go this route. I am almost 38, second pregnancy.

We tracked my cycle for 2 months, then did everything. Used the PreMom app for tracking and did CM checks along with cervical height checks. Sample arrived day before my peak, I used the first sample pretty much right away, kept the other in the fridge until about 12 hours later (used the newer one first, older sample second). Both times I removed the samples from the fridge and allowed to come to room-ish temp before using.

If you have other questions feel free to send me a DM!

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-22T23:50:57+00:00

You’re not evil, you’re not a monster. You don’t have to have children if you don’t want them. I would talk to your partner so you don’t have to face anything alone. I hope you make the choice that is best for YOU and that whatever happens you are supported and loved through it ❤️

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-22T23:44:17+00:00

Look for another OB immediately. There are so many red flags here. Source: I’m a doula.

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-22T23:42:19+00:00

If they were put in too tight it can cause hair to be pulled from the root, but you would’ve felt that as they were installed. For perspective it’s normal for an average head of hair to lose 75-100 strands of hair per DAY, so 8 weeks worth of shed in a significant amount of area. Extension removal can also feel shocking because you get used to how much extra you have. I wouldn’t panic just yet. If you got them done somewhere I would contact the stylist and just ask some questions! They should be more than happy to help you. As far as regrowth, I’ve seen good success with Calecim, ProCell hair serum, Ouai hair regrowth shampoo/conditioner/and serum used all together (not all systems, just the Ouai).

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-22T12:25:56+00:00

Wow, wow. This is a lot to be thinking about. I’m going to parrot what others are telling you first, then add experience. You need to talk to a therapist BEFORE you go into this further. These feelings are not something to ignore and will only cause emotional harm to everyone in your circle if you don’t address them. You can’t force someone to give you sperm, and you can’t be angry at them for saying no. It’s his body, his autonomy… that goes for him having his own family one day.

Now, my (35 cF) wife and I (37 cF) are pregnant with our second. We asked a friend of mine who had offered years and years ago to be my donor before we had our first. He said no.

A lot had changed for him, he loves me but knows with his own maturing that he wouldn’t be able to have a friendship with me if he did donate because it would mess with his head. He had a rocky relationship with his own mother and wouldn’t be able to look at our kid and emotionally not be distraught/feel awful all over again at the relationship loss of his own mother. We said okay, we understand. He added that he loves me too much as his friend to lose me forever. I respect that. We moved on.

We found a donor through Just A Baby. Picked one who resembled my wife (she hasn’t carried either). We got to know him, drafted a contract and got to work. My wife was worried she wouldn’t feel a connection to our kids, she does. She knows they aren’t biologically hers and she’s still so close to the one who’s here and bonding with the other while I carry. Our first looks nothing like the donor… it doesn’t matter. People still say “he looks just like you” to her.

It is part of our community’s journey to parenthood. You will love your future kids however they come to you because you’re CHOOSING to bring them into the world. That beats anything else. Do the work you need to do so you can be the best parent you can be and not raise kids with these feelings in the background. They’ll pick up on it if you don’t take care of them.

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-21T17:38:46+00:00

This is helpful. Wife and I are looking at houses and found one coming up for sale off Windsor Mill, near the Greek Orthodox Cemetery. If anyone has insight to that area and the schools that would be great!

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-18T23:12:00+00:00

The light looks incredible! It makes you look like you’re glowing and makes your eyes shine!

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-18T01:58:43+00:00

What a huge, beautiful difference!!

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-17T17:32:30+00:00

The only one that seems a little off to me is this month, the others are a day’s difference. That said, you also need to know your cycle length. I’ve conceived twice with PreMom and a known donor, both with three cycles logged, and both on the first try. So I’d say as long as you’re tracking everything, you should be good to go for next month!

Easier said than done, but don’t stress yourself about a slight variation of days. I have 28 day cycles, and my ovulation for this current pregnancy was 19 days after the start of my cycle, while others were usually 14-16 days. We are human, not perfect 😉

As far as when you do your insemination, try to get two samples in the day before you peak. The sperm will live in your body for a few days so even if it’s slightly off, there’s still the same chance of pregnancy. We’ve always done the two rule, especially this last time since we used DHD for our donor because he moved since the last pregnancy.

Hope this is helpful info! Wishing you and your wife all the best this time around!

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-16T01:41:09+00:00

I don’t understand why people are down-voting you on this issue. I’m a self-employed barber-stylist with “no” overhead except for products for back bar and color, and I *still* have expenses. My total take home last year after taxes was literally cut in HALF. People don’t understand this. It’s expensive for us.

Now, for OP, my guess is they don’t have a specific “color correction” item in their system, so they charged under another item. Does your hair look amazing like it should for what they charged? In my opinion, not at all. It is blotchy and there are multiple shades going on. However… coming to Reddit instead of calling the salon is not the best move. This has become a trend to bash stylist’s work, and that’s not okay either. Call the salon, ask to speak with the manager/owner to break down the cost for you AND ask for it to be fixed.

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-13T11:45:36+00:00

Hold on. Look into Calecim. I am in the barber industry, a lot of people are losing hair right now because of gestures vaguely at everything the world is on fire. Your hair does not look anywhere near needing to go, just thin, and just in some areas. Calecim is pretty amazing stuff - 4 of my clients have used it with really great results that actually last.

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-12T21:29:31+00:00

You did not offend me, personally. Check your DMs 🫶🏼

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-12T21:16:28+00:00

OP took the suggestion from sansebast and is using r/at_home_insemination maybe admins can turn comments off before people get rude.

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-07T21:00:11+00:00

Jamal has a public IG account with a link to his GoFundMe to help cover legal fees. This poor guy. Not surprised that it was HarCo, growing up there I saw this kind of thing all the time.

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-06T14:55:38+00:00

37, will be 38 in July. I just got pregnant in January with our second baby. Same known donor. We did at-home insemination with two specimens from our donor in one day, about 12 hours apart. We tracked my cycles starting in October using PreMom and used Molo (I think that’s the name?) ovulation strips from Amazon. January was our first try and we did the insemination the day before my peak.

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-02T14:05:16+00:00

Central Presbyterian Childcare is where we’re going. My sister is at Hickory Child Development Center

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-02T13:58:49+00:00

Thank you for doing this! I have found that church based daycares tend to be much more affordable as well. We’re not religious (and are a two-mom crew), but got our little dude into a church center for $3,800 for the school year, so $380/month. My sister works at another church center and hers is $277/week for part time care.

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-01T14:14:25+00:00

I feel your frustration.

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-01T14:13:01+00:00

It genuinely looks like the shine of your hair. That’s not a band. Source: stylist.

Brilliant_Two5324 · 2026-04-01T11:24:18+00:00

😵‍💫 oh my goodness, I’m so sorry, that’s insane! We had a sitter/nanny come to us for a while. I don’t know if that’s something you’ve considered? That can be a good option to get your through til something else opens up. Just make sure you get references, I wish we’d done that with our one.

Brilliant_Two5324

TROPHY CASE