Ladies - a question about shaving/waxing... and hygiene

[Zee]

Thanks for that Alan!!

I have never had thrush but had heard its quite normal in pregnancy or over cleaning.

[Cricket]

OK, I've got a somewhat related question - mind if I borrow the thread for a sec? How on EARTH do you guys tolerate the itchiness of shaving?!?! I've tried it, and it drove me around the bend! Waxing was a whole other disaster... Perhaps some of you remember the thread - but believe me, there was blood, sweat, and tears. And DH had to finish the job.
Anyways, I like the idea of being neat and tidy, but I have yet to find a workable solution - what do you do?

[Snacks]

I agree with Trillian water is all you need to freshen up the area. Soap of any kind will upset the balance and that's how the nasties grow.
In my antenatal classes the midwife told us to be hairy and proud, LOL, because waxing and shaving will only increase the chance of cuts and ingrowns that can get infected, and possibly cause bigger issues that way. She said Middies just DON'T CARE if you're hairy or otherwise. Seen one, seen 'em all.
Cricket, if you're really concerned about being tidy, how about just trimming with scissors?

[Kitt3n]

I love that post alan, to the point!

I used to get thrush often, but now i ......

- Dont use soap - i use a soap free wash and ensure all dry before i put anything back on
- Only ever wear cotton undies (you can get some kinda sexy ones!!)
- Never wear undies to bed, just my jammie pants
- Take a pro biotic (ever since i started inliven i have not had thrush, not even when on antibiotics!)

GL with getting rid of it hun - might sound yuck, but try putting yoghurt (natural style) all over "down there" and leaving it for a little while, its supposed to get rid of the thrush!

Hope the UTI isnt too uncomfortable.

[Curly]

Hi Cricket

I always used to wax but I have so much trouble getting the time to get to the salon now that I just maintain it the best I can with my epilator (which really hurts so only the bikini line gets done and I just trim the rest). I have the epilator for my underarms. I've tried shaving and depilatory cream on the bikini line and I get horrible itchies and redness as well. It's great for the first day and then I have to spend the next few days resisting the urge to scratch in public, what a nightmare.

Just the other day I heard about a gadget called the Seiko Clean Cut which is an electric razor specifically designed for the pubic area. It only works on stubble so you have to trim right down first but the reviews for it have been amazing, everyone raving about how smooth and irritation-free the shave is, it's been called the pain-free Brazilian. I am seriously considering getting one.

Back on topic, while pregnant I have been using Sebamed Feminine Intimate Wash which is specifically pH balanced for the female genital area so I can just generally feel as fresh as possible but I am not troubled by thrush anyway. Believe me if hair caused thrush I would be continually plagued by it.

[Jacksta75]

Hi Leasha,

you poor thing, it must be so frustrating. I get thrush every time i have antibiotics. The thing that clears it up for me is Inner health tablets. They are just capsules with 25 billion good bacteria in them. I'm sure they would be safe to take whilst pregnant. Ask your obs or pharmacist - they will tell you if ok to take. Guaranteed it will clear up in a day or two!!

[Phteven]

Cricket, you could get a men's beard and moustache trimmer/clippers - it will tame the jungle but not so short that there's any issue with ingrown hairs etc.
They usually sell them near the hair-dryers in k-mart etc.

[smiles4u]

Yeh, just as ALAN said

... my midwives said the same thing & just go without knickers when at home ... which was nice as it was a hot Summer when I was pregnant & I was happy to shed any clothing

[didispunk]

i would say get waxed.... you will never go back!!

[Olive]

i think pubic hair acts a little like nasal hair, keeps forgein things out!! its also there to prevent chaffing during DTD!! we have it for a reason!! i also like to be trim and neat too!!

[Cricket]

I've actually got a clipper for DH's hair. (I cut it for him.)
.....hmmmm..... I wonder if I should try that. I've got all different length attachments for it. It could be STYLISH!
Of course, he might not like the idea of me cutting pubic hairs with his hair clipper.
Maybe I'll try it and see how it goes. Sounds like a much nicer option than the waxing or shaving.

[MissWingBat]

Hi All, OMG this thread just made me LOL - everyone is so different with their personal preferences. I agree with everybody who said it is the anti-biotics - they not only kill the bad bugs, but all your good bugs, and put your whole system out of whack. They cause thrush really badly. Try eating more yogurt.
I wanted to share a funny story in relation to your question about the mid-wives caring about the jungle. I too, had the hugest belly and I was really concerned with 'trimming the bushes' before my big debut... Anyways, I asked my hubbie if he could have a go, and he said he would get the whipper-snipper out... So that was a NO.
So, in the birth suite, whilst jacked-up on their wonderful drugs, they had to break my waters. The mid-wife got out a 'knitting-needle' and I said, "Hey, I know I haven't trimmed lately, but it's not that long to make a scarf out of it!"
All my labours were a comedy fest, I cracked everyone up. I wish we were allowed to be on gas everyday...

[SunnyRain]

This is quite funny, Today I shaved down there for the last time (for a few more months). I was pretty much shaving blind. Looked in the mirror and I managed ok, but this was the first time I just could not see over my belly at all and so I was wondering what other women do. Now I know you've all gone feral, so that's comforting. I guess I'll just let it be. There's no way I'm waxing. Like I'm not in enough pain already.

Antibiotics are notorious for causing thrush. You need Canesten which you can buy at any chemist. Antiobiotics have thrown the biosphere of your vagina into chaos which allowed the yeast to take over and it can be difficult to restore balance to your little galaxy without going in with some serious arsenal. Don't hesitate to get that Canesten!!

I lived in Japan and I took antibiotics for a severe chest infection and I had thrush for months because do you think I could find any Canesten anywhere? It was hell. HELL!!!

Cricket > Don't use your man's clippers. Pubic hair sends clipper blades blunt in a matter of seconds. It's too expensive to replace the clipper blades. You sound like you have very sensitive skin like me. If you want to shave, don't ever use cheap disposable razors EVER (not even in a bind). You need a proper razor (I prefer men's razors) and you need a new, sharp blade for your bikini area, especially when you start shaving because your skin has to get used to shaving. My skin is very sensitive to ingrown hairs but this has improved over the years. I had to learn to NEVER squeeze or scratch any ingrown hairs, they will clear up on their own very quickly. I generally shave only once a week and let my skin rest between shaves.

[Phteven]

I've actually got a clipper for DH's hair. (I cut it for him.)
.....hmmmm..... I wonder if I should try that. I've got all different length attachments for it. It could be STYLISH!
Of course, he might not like the idea of me cutting pubic hairs with his hair clipper.
Maybe I'll try it and see how it goes. Sounds like a much nicer option than the waxing or shaving.

Do you mean hair clippers for his head? They might be a bit big for the pubic area. The beard and moustache trimmers are much smaller and designed for wirier hair.

[SugarDust]

I have been CLEAN DOWN THERE since i was 17 (am now 24) even when I was huge with both my boys i still somhow found a way to be clean down there before I went into labour!

I have only ever had thrush twice and my doc told me both times not to use soap down there!

[LimeSlice]

Cricket - I use a remmington hair trimmer like one you get for shaving heads and stiff, just a "Lady" version lol It is ace! no itchiness, and it is short enough....then I just use hair removal cream to do my edges ....lol sounds like mowing a lawn...

Leasha - Soap is not your friend. Do not use soap on the girls. Soap and mucous membranes do not agree (one of the reasons soap stings your eyes). Also, I reccomend cotton undies and none if you dont have to wear them....oh and yeah, the drying thing.
Also, go to the chemist and get some Ural - the best invention ever

OMG I cannot believe you are 36 weeks already!! So excited for you and Shel!!

[Alyssas_Mum]

I have to say i dont think hair has anything to do with thrush or anything like that but i do find that not having any it feels cleaner (lol)

I have been getting waxed (all of it off) since DD was about 1 and even though im pregnant i still go get waxed, my waxer knows me very well and she gets all the bits (like ingrown hairs) that i cant see cause of my belly.
I warn it may be awkward at first for those who are sensitive or shy (i was both at first but now it doesnt bother me) i mean you are laying there with no pants on but its no worse than if you were at the docs.
So if all else fails try getting waxed. It lasts so much longer as well, when i shaved it wold be 5mm-1cm after a week getting waxed it is like that after week 5
If yours in the S.E Subrubs of Melbourne go to Tantilise at Fountain Gate and ask for Kelly, she is awesome and she will make you feel very welcome.
Good luck to all.