Shaving before c-section

[BenTheScullery]

I'm having a c-section soon and in the info pack I received with my date letter, it states:

'Please do not shave/wax or use fake tan on the lower abdominal area in the two weeks prior to attending for your caesarean section'.

I'm assuming it's ok to use an electric razor to trim/tidy up down there as long as I don't use a bare blade?! Can anyone advise?

Thanks.

[whensmynexthol1day]

Only to trim I think - ultimately they don't want you to cut your skin.

[TorkTorkBam]

Why not leave it for two weeks as asked?

[NerrSnerr]

I would just leave it. They'll shave what they need to in theatre.

[BenTheScullery]

@whensmynexthol1day @NerrSnerr Thanks for your responses.
@TorkTorkBam I'm very hairy and although I don't want to (and nor do I intend to) go against their instructions, I'd rather not go in like a wilder-beast if it's unnecessary to do so.

[Pipandmum]

They couldn't care less what you look like.

[Whycantibetangy]

Its because of the risk of infections, cuts, soreness etc. I’ve had 2 sections. The first one I did as I was told and went in like a yeti...they dry shaved me!! I had so many Itchy scratchy ingrowing hairs for ages afterwards that when I went in for my second, I mowed the lawn myself, there was no way I was going through that again

[gonewiththerain]

I think it’s so they can see where the hair is growing and ensure you don’t end up with an ingrowing hair in the scar area. I was very hairy for my last cs and they didn’t shave anything thank god.
My grandfather had a very small area of skin cancer removed on his face and they grafted skin from his neck. It had a hair growing in it that required another minor op to sort out.

[Lavenderpurple]

I would use an electric razor on a short setting 2 weeks before and then totally leave it alone.

[Lilybet1980]

I wasn’t told that before a planned c section. I had a wax about 2 weeks before and all they said was “looks like we don’t need to shave”.

[mintich]

Also very hairy but I left it. Honestly they dont care and in the moment you wont care either.

[ArdoCycle]

I had a section two weeks ago and they gave me a wee trim with an electric razor just so the bandage wouldn’t stick - I would leave it and let them do what they have too

[IHaveBrilloHair]

They'll barely notice or care, leave it be.

[Nutellanjam]

Hi I’m not in the UK but when I had my first c-section I hadn’t shaved and like a pp mentioned I got dry shaved just before the op. It was hideous and grew back ingrowing and itchy. After that, I did myself beforehand to avoid a repeat although I did check first! Can you ask what is their procedure as I’d definitely do myself if the option was a dry shave

[solarlightexpress]

I was told not to touch the area. They will shave where needs shaved.

[MamaGothel]

I've had 2 c sections (one less then a month ago) and I was asked to shave the area both times or they would have to do it in theatre. Different hospitals/trusts as well. It's weird how much advice can vary.

[GirlCalledJames]

They are going to see your bowels from the inside. They don’t care about hair and until very recently it was quite normal.

[mammmamia]

I had a planned section and didn’t get told this. I was 39 weeks with twins and I had a bikini wax about 2 days before. I was absolutely massive and nearly broke the salon’s table I was glad I did it. I know they don’t care but I felt better about it. That was some years ago though so the advice may have changed.

[Iggi999]

I wasn't told anything and I didn't shave (couldn't have reached it, don't wax) and I don't think it was done for me - my scar(S) not below the hairline anyway

[DeborahAlisonphillipa]

Another yeti here, shaved on table no fuss made, no regrowth issues. I couldn’t reach, I was already too uncomfortable to do anything that would increase discomfort and didn’t want to risk infection. In normal times I do shave under my arms and my legs and trim my bikini line with electric razor. nothing drastic and both my husband and I are happy to have sex when the other is a bit hairy. I can’t imagine anyone judging a women for not diligently removing their body hair at any time, let alone When heavily pregnant and so much larger than usual, uncomfortable, sore, and perhaps more worried about salons due to hygiene/infection risk or harsh chemicals used. It honestly shouldn’t even be on your radar of things you should waste your energy on

[GreenTulips]

They are referring to the area directly below the pubic hair where they will cut to access the baby.

This is shaved so the scar is below the hair line.

They aren’t interested in the bikini area lower down. It’s not on show.

[Tolleshunt]

I didn’t do anything to mine, and can’t imagine how I could possibly have reached. I’m short and proportionally short in the body to boot, so was like a beach ball on two toothpicks by D day. Nobody gave a shit about my woolly mammoth appearance, including me. It was the least of my worries. Are you sure you’ll care?

[Iggi999]

My second csection wound took 9 weeks to heal. I'm really glad it wasn't in an area of hair regrowth. I've seen pictures of csection scars on the internet and lots and lots are not below hair lines.