If a woman is preparing for mikveh while she is in the mourning period of shloshim, it is best to have a non-Jewish woman cut her nails. If this is not possible, then having a Jewish girl under 12 years old would be next best, followed by having an adult Jewish female cut them. If none of these options are available, a woman can cut her own nails. Other preparations, such as washing and checking for chatzitzot, are unaffected during this time of avelut.