I'm thinking of getting an 'intimate' wax...

[coffeeandcream]

Hello ladies,

Now I know a lot of people are against this type of hair removal, and I know that pretty soon someone will say 'thats the last thing you'll be worrying about in labour' and I'm sure you're right, but both my DH and I prefer it this way

I'm 17+5 and at the moment I can do my own personal grooming but as I get a bigger bump, I doubt I'll be able to!

I've never had a wax for my lady bits and was wondering whether anyone would enlighten me on their experiences? I suppose the pain and having a total stranger examining me down there will be good practice for labour

Do you want to go the whole hog so to speak? As in all off or all off and a landing strip? I used to have hollywoods regularly and at my first ever one I was quite surprised at how hands on the therapist was which is daft really considering what she is about to do. Mine was a no knickers, legs in the frog/smear position for the front then it's over on to all fours and down on to your elbows pushing your bum out whilst she does the back. My therapist was great and made me feel very comfortable and after I'd been once I was fine with the whole thing! Hope that's the kind of info you wanted!!

Hello susieloo,

Yes I was thinking of getting a hollywood. Does it get easier pain and regrowth wise the more often you have it done? I'm due in December, so have quite a bit of time to get a few in before then.

Ta, C&C

I just had one for my hols at 25 weeks, pain on a par with childbirth but I'll be doing it again :)

Well I've had a few bikini waxes and lets face it, not exactly fun! But the pain doesn't last afterwards.

This may be TMI territory but... Problem with having regular waxes is ingrowing hairs. Not everyone gets them but they are a real pain, uncomfortable & unsightly. Exfoliating etc etc has never really worked for me.
I always find the best result was from first time in ages but you do have to 'trim' or use one of those beard-type trimmers as hair can't be too long.

I'm an upduffer too & will also being getting one pre-due date. Can it bring on labour does anyone know?!

Make sure your chosen salon uses 'hot wax' - NOT the normal wax they use for legs (yes I know that technically that is hot wax as well, but actual Hot Wax is different!).

The stuff they use on your legs goes on in a thin layer and then the therapist uses cloth strips to rip it off. Do NOT let them do this anywhere near your fanjo, as this can result in bruising or bleeding and is very painful indeed.

Hot Wax (as in the proper bikini line stuff) goes on as a thick paste, sets firm like plasticine or putty after a few minutes, and then the therapist pulls the blob off by hand (no cloth strips involved). I don't know why, but it's infinitely less painful on your bits.

IME lots of places claim to offer brazilians, but they aren't properly trained - if they use Hot Wax then it is a sign they know what they're doing.

Bliss Spas have a special name for their own brand of Hot Wax, so they're good to try. Alternatively, if you happen to live near Oxford, I know a very good salon there which does Brazilians properly. I used to drive 40 miles to get there after having bad experiences trying other salons closer to home!

It also pays to have the hair as short as poss before your wax (unlike leg waxing) as the hot wax acts on very short hairs, and the shorter they are the less painful it is

Not sure if it gets easier pain wise or you just get used to it!! It only really, really hurts on the extra sensitive bits and compared to any other method of hair removal the re-growth is much better.

Im still getting the Hollywood throughout my pregnacy . I'm 20 weeks now . Ppl say it gets less painful the more u go but to be honest it's all relative! It's still painful! BUT it's only 10 mins max and im sure pain is nothing in comparison to what we will feel in labour !

Def getting one done just before EDD , the aftermath of birth down there maybe messy and as well as stitches etc I don't want to contend with hair getting in the way as well.

Another tip, is make sure ur downstairs is well moisturised and u don't have dry skin. Dry skin makes it much more painful!

Previous to my first I always had hollywoods, so when I got to about 5 months I went for my appointment and I could of wept......my skin was so sensitive (didnt really understand the full extent of how sensitive until it much too late!) and I actually cried on the treatment table. Mu bits felt like they were on fire for about a week......I now stick to immac and haven't had a bikini wax since.

And I'm no wimp!!! :-)

Fresh is right, there are a lot of people who don't know what they are doing. And the longer the hair, the more painful as they get twisted. I go to aveda and it's a bit more expensive but I think it could be a false economy going for a cheaper option that involves hot wax near your bits! I had one done last week as off on hols tomorrow and was a lot more painful than normal. I am 27 weeks. I will get one pre labour too. They used to shave women didn't they?
And yes, be prepared for everything to be on show and pulled around!
Before I was preggers I would take 2 nurofen before and it honestly wasn't that bad

Queen I've never heard of waxing being suggested to induce labour - labour is controlled by hormones, so wax, curry, pineapple and long walks won't send you into labour

what's the regrowth like? i don't want to be sore, sleep deprived with a new baby to look after AND be itching like a beast as well :/
i did have a wax once, it was bearable and i had to run for afterwards! can't remember if it was painful/itchy when it grew back though...

Ive never had a problem with regrowth i.e it's never been uncomfortable or itchy, definitely not like the regrowth you get when you shave, barely noticeable really, that was my experience anyway

Exfoliating with mitt helps with regrowth and ingrowing hairs. And moisturising too

Thanks for reassurance flisspaps. That could be embarrassing! esp if only half done ;)

OP def go for the hot wax sticky putty stuff, it doesn't stick to your skin in the same way. Also, I think plain paracetemol fine during pregnancy, I usually take a couple an hour before a wax.

I know, I'm a big wimp!!

Thanks everyone, some really useful tips and advice.

I have regular (monthly) Brazilian waxes normally and have carried on throughout pregnancy but I have to say they are a hell of a lot more painful since I've been pregnant and my waxing lady has commented that my skin 'down there' is much more red and sensitive looking once waxed now. She said that's pretty normal during pregnancy. Not sure if I'll carry on much longer because of this (I'm 26 weeks) but if I don't, it'll get a bit jungle-like down there as I can't see anymore to do my own grooming...