Article by Jessica Pierce – Registered Nurse & Nationally Registered Paramedic
It may be uncomfortable to talk about, but we’re all thinking it – how am I going to take care of my lady bits once I can’t see past my baby bump?
Pubic hair removal during pregnancy is definitely a sensitive topic (see what I did there?)
In this article, we’ll discuss safe and comfortable hair removal methods for use during pregnancy.
With or without a bun in the oven, whether or not you’d like to get your pubic hair removed is entirely a matter of personal choice! Unless your OB or gynecologist gives you a medical reason to avoid ditching unwanted hair, many methods for hair removal are completely safe.
Keep reading for a list of tips, tricks, and techniques to keep your most sensitive areas taken care of before, during, and after delivery!
This article is not a substitute for medical advice.
Pregnancy-Safe Options For Removing Pubic Hair
There are many ways to remove pubic hair, but not all of them are ideal for pregnancy. Shaving is probably the most popular hair removal method used by pregnant moms, but if a bikini wax or brazilian wax is more your style, don’t worry – you’re covered too.
Shaving
An electric shaver may be your new best friend. Electric shavers don’t necessarily give as close of a shave as a traditional razor does, but they minimize your risk of getting nicks, cuts, ingrown hairs, or any other number of painful shaving side effects.
If you do opt for a traditional razor, always use a new blade when shaving around your vagina. Make sure you lather on shower gel or cream (instead of a chemical depilatory cream). I recommend you to use a pregnancy-safe body wash that lathers nicely, to get a smooth glide. Go slow, and be careful, especially if you have trouble seeing over your growing belly.
Waxing
In most cases, waxing can still be done safely while you’re pregnant. Do keep in mind though that you might experience an increase in redness or discomfort after a waxing session. This is due to the extra blood flow to the perineum during pregnancy.
Can I Use Veet On My Private Area During Pregnancy?
The safest bet here is to talk with your doctor. Even if you’re already using a hair removal cream like Veet or Nair, the normal skin changes caused by fluctuating hormones can worsen your normal reaction to hair removal creams.
Are Hair Removal Creams Safe To Use For Pregnant Women?
Hair removal creams (depilatory creams) are not safe to use for pregnant women. Most of them contain nasty chemicals. They could lead to an allergic reaction. Besides, there hasn’t been enough research done on the ingredients in depilatory creams to label them as pregnancy safe.
As a rule, it isn’t a good idea to start a new means to remove hair during pregnancy. Your doctor may recommend you to avoid certain (or all) hair removal creams.
Pubic Hair Growth During Pregnancy
Pregnancy can really disrupt your hair growth cycle. You may notice your pubic hair growing faster than you can shave or wax it. Another chance that you may see is more facial hair, more hair on your upper lip or hair growing on your baby bump.
Your hair grows faster and thicker during pregnancy due to natural changes in your hormones. This also makes your skin more sensitive and susceptible to irritation or infections if the skin barrier is broken.
Most women notice that their body hair returns to normal several weeks or months after birth. If bothersome changes persist longer than this, it may be a good idea to consult your healthcare provider or a dermatologist about the issue.
How To Shave Your Pubic Area When Pregnant
Not all women want to shave their nether regions, and that is totally fine! However, it is possible to safely shave the pubic area without adverse effects on the skin.
It may take some time to figure out the best position to get to the area you want to shave. If you have a bathtub, you can lie down inside it and prop one leg up on the edge. Alternatively, you may be more comfortable sitting down on the toilet, or the side of a chair or your bed.
How To Shave Your Legs During Pregnancy
Shaving your legs is a whole different game when you’re pregnant. Use lots and lots of shaving cream to soften your skin, and go slow.
It may be helpful to prop a mirror underneath you to help visualize the area being shaved. A handheld mirror is great if you need to sit on the side of your bed or the toilet to shave, or if you have a seat or bench in the shower, your partner could donate their suction shaving mirror.
Some brave women let their partner shave for them. This is totally up to you and your personal comfort level, but it’s another great way they can help you out while you’re pregnant.
How To Wax Your Private Area During Pregnancy
Bikini waxes will get progressively more complicated as your belly grows. If you’re dead set on waxing all throughout your pregnancy, it may be a good idea to schedule an appointment at a salon a week or so before your due date.
To ensure safe hair removal, it’s probably a good idea to leave that last Brazilian wax to an expert. Just like the hospital staff, a vagina isn’t anything they haven’t seen before!
Benefits Of Removing Hair From Private Areas When Pregnant
Having less hair around the perineum can make it easier to wash yourself. In addition, if your doctor needs to perform a procedure called an episiotomy while you’re in labor, shaving could make it a tiny bit easier for them to see what’s going on.
Shaving the bikini area can also keep dried blood or secretions from becoming trapped in pubic hair, which may be helpful in preventing infections after a C-section.
Removing or trimming your pubic hair is just one part of keeping your private parts clean during pregnancy. Don’t forget about changing that cute panties made from synthetic fabric to breathable maternity undies and use only pregnancy-safe feminine wash that is made from natural ingredients (and free from harsh irritants).
Risks Of Removing Hair From Private Areas During Pregnancy
Some doctors suggest that having pubic hair completely shaved can contribute to increased infection rates. Nicks and cuts from shaving can not only be painful, but also increase your infection risk as they provide an avenue for germs on the skin to get inside the body.
For this reason, many pregnancy experts suggest trimming pubic hair with a pair of scissors and a mirror. You can also use a comb to get stray hairs into place for clipping.
The added benefit of opting for a trimmer is that it helps avoid itching around the bikini line as shaved hair grows back. This is probably the easiest way to maintain your ladyscape without risking getting an infection.
Do I Need To Shave Pubic Hair Before Giving Birth?
Many women are more than a bit embarrassed about what their nether regions will look like while they’re in labor. Is it important to remove pubic hair to give your labor and delivery nurse a better view?
The answer (from basically every nurse out there, trust me, I’m one of them!): we promise you we don’t care! Our top, and really only, concern is that both you and your baby are safe and happy. It’s basically impossible to gross us out – and it’s nothing we haven’t seen before either!
How Should I Clean My Pubic Hair Before Delivery?
There are some ways that you can “prep” pubic hair before you give birth to ensure that everything down there is clean and sanitary. Use a gentle, unscented soap and warm water to wash the whole area before you head to the hospital, if you have the time.
If you’re going to have a C-section, you may be provided with a special cleansing agent to use at the hospital. The pre-op team will explain any steps you need to take before going to the operating room, and can help walk you through the process.
Once you are in the operating room, the surgery team will shave the upper segment of your pubic hair near the bikini line to keep hair growth from getting caught in your sutures once the procedure is finished.
You can do this in advance if you’d like; however, preparing your bikini line is part of the medical team’s job. Don’t be afraid to kick back and let them do the hard work – after all, they’re the ones getting paid to do it!
Do I Need To Shave My Other Body Parts For Delivery?
There’s no need to shave, wax, or sugar any part of your body for delivery, unless it makes you more comfortable. Seriously, no one will care what your armpits look like while you’re in labor.
If you feel more confident going completely bare everywhere, go for it! If you’re too tired to shave your legs before you head to the hospital, that’s one hundred percent your call. Do whatever makes you feel the absolute best!
Removing Pubic Hair After Delivery
Once you’ve had your baby, it will likely be exciting to start getting back into your pre-pregnancy self care routine. Here are a few key considerations to help you ease back into “down there care” after you get home from the hospital.
Shaving Hair From Private Areas After Childbirth
Just like with having sex, it’s typically best to wait about 6 weeks after delivery to get after that excess hair. You want to give your perineum plenty of time to heal up before introducing more blades, wax, or chemicals to the region!
Laser Hair Removal After Childbirth
There isn’t a lot of research on whether or not laser hair removal is safe during pregnancy, so most doctors recommend against it. After birth, experts suggest waiting anywhere between 6 weeks to 6 months before beginning laser hair removal.
If you’re breastfeeding, avoid lasering over the breasts or nipple areas. Breastfeeding can lead to irritation of the areola and all kinds of discomfort, so chances are you won’t want anything else contributing to that!
Article By Jessica Pierce, RN
Jessica Pierce is Registered Nurse, Nationally Registered Paramedic, writer, and contemporary dance artist based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She holds two undergraduate degrees from Oral Roberts University – a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (2018) and a Bachelor’s of Art in Dance Performance (2019).
The purpose of this article is informative. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice or medical care. Remember: safety first! Consult your doctor/pediatrician in case of any doubts. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here.
Resources:
https://cafemom.com/parenting/217194-midwife-honest-pregnancy-shaving
https://www.momjunction.com/articles/reasons-why-you-should-shave-pubic-hair-before-delivery_0099826/
www.refinery29.com/amp/en-us/2017/12/184335/shaving-while-pregnant-tips
https://www.pullingcurls.com/how-to-shave-while-pregnant
Hello Moms! I am Zooey. I am a wife and a mother of three amazing kids: almost 5-year-old Haley and 2-year-old twins Jesse and Matthew. I am a jogger, cooker and blogger.If you have a question or a comment, do not hesitate to write to me! 🙂