"personal maintenance" - sorry in advance if TMI!

[Tinkerbell43]

Ok ladies, I can't be the only one with this problem..
At 40 weeks its a little bit of a chore keeping things "neat" down below, not being able to see past the bump and from fear of doing serious damage with a razor blade and a blind shave, it's become slightly neglected to say the least haha!!
Does anyone have any tips on how to keep up the maintenance (that doesn't include waxing!! I'm a wuss!) hahaa

[polkadotsrock]

How squeamish is your dp???

[AuntieStella]

Why do you need maintenance. I'd have thought that the later stages of opg were a time when you really needn't bother.

If you need to be shaved because of incision/siting of dressings with a CS, then you can ask MW to do it for you.

It took quite a lot of campaigning to eliminate the practice of compulsory shaving in labour.

[TinaO99]

haha could have been me writing this, I can't see a thing down there! I've had a go doing it blind but made a right mess - can you use a mirror perhaps? Or will your partner help out, they might enjoy it ;-P

[AuntieStella]

Hit post too soon:

It took quite a lot of campaigning to eliminate the practice of compulsory shaving in labour. There is no medical need to remove hair unless you are having a planned section.

[Teaandflapjacks]

I go with waxing - I have for years and years now, if I forget I sometimes do a quick 'tidy up' and then get a wax two weeks later - otherwise get DP or a VERY good mate to help you out, or you could sit on a bath mat, use mirror in front, bowl with warm water, shaving cream and razor job - but just do 'on top' don't go under (!) and then have a shower after to wash off excess foam? Also razor with in built gel (works when wet) is useful? good luck!!

[RightUpMyRue]

Electric safety razor and the memory of where everything is.

Lower your expectations, don't expect a perfect job.

[Flisspaps]

Just leave it until after the birth. You don't want ingrowing hairs or regrowth itch and stitches, bruising or general soreness.

[RJM17]

What about nair cream?? I always use that and u can use a mirror to put it on then just shower it off so u can't hurt yourself using it.
I use this anyway because I am a massive wuss and after trying waxing twice (6 months apart) I decided I couldn't put myself through that pain again lol. X

[CityDweller]

This concern, which crops up frequently on here, perplexes me. But each to their own... If it really bothers you then suck up the pain and get waxed or use a mirror to just to a general trim of area with some nail scissors (but be careful!)

[Littlemissexpecting]

Veet hair removing cream. I bought some that comes with a little s scrubbing/ exfoliating brush that you use to remove the hair. It's safe as you cant cut yourself, doesn't help that you still can't see so difficult to know if your removing too much but your DH might not mind helping with that.

[Quilty]

I'm with Citydweller on this one, just don't see why it matters. For what it's worth, I work with midwives and one of them was saying recently that the risk of infection is higher when women wax/shave right before the birth. I guess it makes the skin more sensitive and also more difficult to avoid ingrowing hairs as you don't want to be exfoliating down there post labour!

[HavingALittleFaithBaby]

I tidied mine with an electric razor this week. At 36 weeks, it's no mean feat! I did it, then looked and realised it was rather uneven! Anyway it's tidied up enough but no, I'm just keeping it neat rather than bald because I don't want any sores or ingrowing hairs. It's going to be bad enough down there as it is! :)

[yellowhousewithareddoor]

I had no idea so many people chose to remove hair down there prior to mn. I still find it a bit creepy!

[Saundy]

I say a lady trimmer to keep things tidy should do it. Good luck!

[MrsExcited]

I'll second the electric razor and trim rather than full on removal and i'm not pregnant.

I think in general people have there own way of feeling "tidy" down there, for some that may mean doing nothing at all and others its a full wax. I don't think pregnancy will change this for many people.

[pegster]

I did Veet bikini cream applied looking in the mirror for keeping things a neat triangle

[Dilidali]

Shaving prior is a breeding ground for all sorts of bugs. I remember the midwife saying she's going to shave me minutes before the energency c-section and before i had time to open my mouth she was there with the blade/ oh, why didn't you say you are shaved? Errrrmmm, causeI was trimmed by my husband and have absolutely no idea what exactly he's done?
At least she did not burst out laughing at the sight.
Anyway, trimming was my answer.

[Dilidali]

Oh, done with his sideburns trimmer. Loool

[ButteryJam]

OP, I'm also very particular about removing hair, and shave every couple of days (don't like the sweat that can build up). I'm 31 weeks so coping OK until now, but I think I will probably need to use a mirror.

I haven't used Veet cream in years. How soon does the hair grow back?

[RJM17]

I use it about once every two weeks sometimes more often but never more than once a week x

[Mandytm]

auntiestella did they really used to shave all women before birth? That's so creepy.

I find the whole shaving thing odd in general and am not sure why women feel they must do it. I will sort out my bikini line if I'm planning on wearing a bikini in public, but I think this would be the last thing on my mind when it comes to having my baby. But I guess each to their own, I'm sure the midwifes have seen all sorts of bizarre female topiary.

[Sunnysummer]

My midwife said specifically not to remove hair by shaving or using creams in the lead up to birth, as can increase the risk of infection - as mentioned earlier, this is also why the standard practice of shaving was stopped in hospitals years ago.

Increased blood flow means I can't wax without bruising, so for now I am sticking to the electric trimmer with some help from DH. It's a whole new [slightly uncomfortable] relationship level!

[Fluffeh]

My consultant advised against removing hair by shaving right before the birth as if it causes a rash it can lead to infection. She said most women don't shave before birth and if they need to remove any hair for cs etc they do it with an electric shaver to minimise risk of rash. She even said for emcs they usually don't have time to shave so just work around it.

[leniwhite]

OH's beard shaver on the main bits, but now I'm overdue I'm just leaving it because it's been itchy as hell. MW's have seen it and said nothing so I assume whatever it looks like is at least workable! My only concern with leaving it to jungle was that they wouldn't be able to tell when baby's head was there...

[VisualiseAHorse]

I wouldn't do it....simply because along with the bruising and any tears etc, I can't bear the thought of that area being itchy.