Of all the challenges mums face when they’re expecting, one that most don’t consider is how to keep their lady garden trimmed. What was once a quick task to take care of in the shower can be much more difficult when you’re working around a belly bump! But with a little planning and some creative techniques, you can keep your pubic hair nice & tidy throughout your pregnancy.
First things first – decide what kind of look you’re going for. If you don’t already have a favorite style or are thinking of trying something different, check out my guide to pubic hairstyles. While there are plenty of cute designs to choose from, it’s best to keep things simple while you’re pregnant. For the purposes of today’s post, I’ll break it down into three main categories: completely bare, partially bare, and trimmed.
Completely bare is the neatest option, but it does present some risks. Besides being more work than the other grooming techniques, there is a greater risk of infection during delivery. In fact, doctors used to shave women before they gave birth, to keep things neater and make it easier for them to see any tearing or other trauma. Most don’t now because of the risk of infection from the little nicks and cuts that often accompany the use of a razor. So if you do decide to go bare, be careful not to break the skin and consider letting it grow out for a few weeks before your due date.
Partially bare has many of the same risks as going completely bare. However, you can leave a fun design in your lady garden, and anything that makes a pregnant lady feel pretty is A-OK with me! Trimmed is the least risky and easiest option. No razors or wax need be involved, so your chance of damaging your delicate skin is minimal. Of course, if you are used to shaving or waxing, it will feel weird to have a bush again, so consider how it will make you feel.
Now that you’ve decided what kind of pubic hairstyle you’re going for, it’s time to mow the lawn! Here are 4 ways to tame the hair down there during your pregnancy.
- Get waxed
Getting a wax at a salon is the easiest option, but painful. Definitely go to a good, reputable salon and ask for an esthetician who has waxed pregnant women before. If you haven’t gotten a Brazilian or bikini wax before, I strongly recommend you don’t go for the first time while pregnant. All of the pregnancy hormones will make you more sensitive, and it will hurt even more than it normally would. - Get a helping hand
If your partner (or a very good friend) are willing and able, this is a good option. Obviously, if your husband cuts himself shaving every day, you will want to save yourself the pain and try something else. But if it’s not too embarrassing for either of you, it can be an intimate experience. Use scissors or a trimmer to get things short. Then if you’re going for a bare look, have your partner shave off the hair you want to get rid of. Even when you want the completely bare look, it’s best to start with shaving the bikini line and work up to the full monty. Always use a sharp new razor and a good shaving gel or cream to avoid little cuts that could lead to infection. - Use a mirror
When you’re flying solo and need to trim the hedges, you can use a mirror to see and reach all of the areas you need to groom. If you have steady hands, you can hold a hand mirror in one hand to get a good look at the area you’re shaving with the other hand. Another method, which is a little awkward and requires a bit of prep, is to lie on the floor in front of a full-length mirror with your legs propped on the wall on either side of the mirror. You’ll want to put a towel under your butt and prop your head up with a pillow to see everything. (Like I said, this way is awkward, and laying on the floor may not work at all in your 8th or 9th month.) However you set up your mirror, go slow and get used to everything being backwards. - Use the force
If you were shaving or trimming before you got pregnant, you can “use the force” and rely on muscle memory to guide your trimmer or razor while it is out of view. This works better with trimming than shaving. You may want to use a mirror the first time or two to get the hang of it. And although it may seem silly, it will be easier if you close your eyes while you’re working. Closing your eyes forces your body to rely on your other senses, which will heighten your awareness of where your hand is in relation to your other bits.
So there you have it – four ways to keep the lady garden from becoming overgrown while you’ve got a bun in the oven. Let me know if you have any other grooming tips for expecting moms!