Shaving legs in pregnancy--for those who get lots of nicks

[Anonymous]

I'm in my first trimester and admittedly have not been shaving my legs often so far. Whenever I shave my legs I end up with a lot of nicks on the front of my shin bones, always have. It has nothing to do with the sharpness of the razor or the length of my hairs.

Anyhow, my question is: is it safe to shave and get a ton of nicks while pregnant? I am just wondering if all those nicks are bad.

[Anonymous]

What exactly do you think would happen, in relation to being pregnant, as a result of the nicks?

(the actual answer is "absolutely nothing" - but I'm fascinated to know what you think could be possible)

[Anonymous]

Well, I bled a lot more when I was pregnant, so I can see how this *could* be a legitimate question (versus a crazy first trimester worry about everything question). OP - have you tried those razors that are surrounded by a bar of moisturizer? I seem to cut myself less with those.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What exactly do you think would happen, in relation to being pregnant, as a result of the nicks?

(the actual answer is "absolutely nothing" - but I'm fascinated to know what you think could be possible)

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What exactly do you think would happen, in relation to being pregnant, as a result of the nicks?

(the actual answer is "absolutely nothing" - but I'm fascinated to know what you think could be possible)

OP here. I guess risk of infection due to a lowered immune system with all the cuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, I bled a lot more when I was pregnant, so I can see how this *could* be a legitimate question (versus a crazy first trimester worry about everything question). OP - have you tried those razors that are surrounded by a bar of moisturizer? I seem to cut myself less with those.

OP here. I actually only use my husband's Mach 3 razors, which help a lot (none of the female razors ever worked for me), but i still get plenty of nicks, but only on my shin bone and one side of calf. Thighs and back of calf never get any. I just get razor burn really easily.

[Anonymous]

I assume you're using at least some type of lather (not shaving cream/gel necessarily), to help soften the gliding?

[Anonymous]

It may be the angle your holding the razor at too.
Have you ever considered laser hair removal? Can't do it while pregnant, but think about it for after.

And no, there's no risk to cutting yourself while shaving if you're pregnant!

[Anonymous]

Don't worry. If you're like me, you'll be done with shaving soon anyway. My leg hair stops growing completely when I'm pregnant. I gave up shaving by the time I hit 12 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't worry. If you're like me, you'll be done with shaving soon anyway. My leg hair stops growing completely when I'm pregnant. I gave up shaving by the time I hit 12 weeks.

OP here. No chance of that I'm sure for me. I'm very hairy and I've noticed my hair seems to be growing faster now (at least on my face--chin, eyebrows, etc.). I let my legs go for a few weeks last month and they were hairier than my husbands.

[Anonymous]

Is your immune system lower when you are pregnant? I've never heard that before. I imagine you'd actually be in good shape, given the prenatal vitamins and (likely) better attention to diet, rest, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is your immune system lower when you are pregnant? I've never heard that before. I imagine you'd actually be in good shape, given the prenatal vitamins and (likely) better attention to diet, rest, etc.

Yes, it is. Hence the increased risk from listeria, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is your immune system lower when you are pregnant? I've never heard that before. I imagine you'd actually be in good shape, given the prenatal vitamins and (likely) better attention to diet, rest, etc.

Yes, and it's pretty well-documented. However, I had one tiny cold that lasted for 3 days this winter, and that is all. And I flew 3 times and was around sick people. I certainly haven't noticed the compromise. I did get the flu shot after the first tri in mid January, and THAT made me sick for about 15 hours (low-grade fever, chills). I had never gotten one before, so I don't know if that would have happened if I wasn't pregnant.

[Anonymous]

You should be fine. But I would advise not shaving your legs before a pedicure, if you get them. But that's advice everyone should follow.

[Anonymous]

It's a myth that your immune system is "lower" in pregnancy. Here is a fairly technical article about it:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3025805/pdf/nihms263791.pdf