First of all, I am very happy to have found a community of people who can relate to what I'm going through! I just came across this site today and joined. I was diagnosed about 2 months ago with alopecia areata, which was devastating and I've been trying to cope. I currently have a HUGE bald spot on the top of my head that started in September and is spreading down to my ear on one side. I can't wear ponytails anymore, but if I part my hair on the other side it does a pretty good job hiding it (unless the wind blows). I am also 29 weeks pregnant and my doctor says they can't give me the steroid injections untill after I have my baby in March. Has anyone else been diagnosed during pregnancy or does it make it worse? I am holding onto hope that maybe this is pregnancy related. I just feel so upset every time I look in the mirror. I've had long hair for years and the thought of possibly having to shave my head of this keeps getting worse breaks my heart. I really don't know how to cope with this. I also feel guilty because I know it's just hair, and so many people have worse problems with their health. But it's just hard. I had never even heard of alopecia untill I was diagnosed with it. Vent over.