to wax or not to wax?

[hobbeschild]

Hello ladies.

When I told my local beautician my news, she said "Oh you must come in for a wax underneath before you give birth - otherwise they'll shave you to stitch and make a right mess that won't heal so well".

Obviously it's in her interest that I wax, but she is a qualified nurse.

I'm not sure about messing with my sensitive bits when they're in for a rough ride anyway. Waxing makes me very sore and I have a tendency to ingrown hairs. But I like the idea of being all smooth and tangle-free and easily patched up: There will be enough pain and stress as it is. (By the same token, that could also mean I won't give a monkey's about pubic hair given everything else going on!)

What's the verdict?

[PaleHousewifeOfCumbriaCounty]

Well dont automatically assume you will have stitches! By the time you give birth you wont care... And who is to say you wont get the hallowed wax, go all overdue and end up with regrowth etc? Nah id leave any tidying up to the professionals ;)

Good luck!

[MrsMiniversCharlady]

You wouldn't normally be shaved to do stitches. Even if you had a cesarean it's no longer standard to shave unless your pubic hair grows very high up.

[allchik]

Im not going to risk waxing incase of ingrown hair but going to use a lady shave every other day (im due in 2 days) couldnt give a stuff bout what i look like,this will purely be for aftercare (less hair for blood to stick to etc) think its going to be a very patchy job though lol!x

[NeedlesCuties]

Years ago the shaved you as a routine no matter who you were.

Now they don't.

Also midwives are trained to deal with adult women and as such pubic hair is part and parcel of that.

I've read a few things which say being waxed/shaved before childbirth can hinder the stitches from healing. The whole point of pubic hair is to protect your nethers.

IMO (I've had two vaginal deliveries) I wouldn't bother getting waxed, is pain you don't need at the moment.

[hobbeschild]

Thanks girls, that chimes with my instincts, which is to do everything au naturel.

allchick, I agree that shaving blind is going to be decidedly hit and miss.

I had toyed with the idea of asking my hubster to shave me, but then....NAH! shivers

[VisualiseAHorse]

No way. Although I only had two 'grazes', I felt very bruised for days after, and the thought of hair growing back around that area while it was healing makes me feel sick.

[vallinnapod]

Do you wax regularly any way? If so then I say definitely. I have it all off once a month and continued to throughout my pregnancy (although the first trimester was up there with labour - normally I am as hard as nails). Had my final wax at just over 37 weeks. DS born at 38+4 I also lucked out with no need for stitches. Obviously not connected to the wax

I wasn't too concerned with regrowth as my bits were used to it. If you are prone to ingrown hairs and the like, I am not sure I would!

[KatyPeril]

I was full on fur and I had stitches okay.