... to want to do c section prep?

[Beeperbird]

So it’s late, hot, I’m 38 weeks pregnant and can’t sleep!
The current churnings of my mind are on very important topics such as prep for a planned c section I’m having in a week so thought I’d get some thoughts!
AIBU to want to get my legs & bikini line waxed as prep for c section?
DH thinks I’m being silly but I’m freaking out at the thought of the surgeon getting in there and not being able to do anything because of all the hair!! Obv they’re not gonna be looking at my legs but I feel like some sort of gorilla monster at the moment

If you want to get them done then fire on. Your consultant will have seen every single type of fandango going and will not give it a millisecond if headspace. Just do what suits you. And good luck!

I used to be an operating theatre nurse - please don’t worry - if the surgeon needs to remove hair from the operative field, that will be done before they start.

And we have seen everything - hair, no hair, everything in between, and I promise you, 100%, no-one will bar an eyelid if you haven’t shaved/waxed your legs or bikini line.

My fact sheet specifically said they would shave as necessary and that I shouldn’t prep - infection control I believe.

I shaved my legs before I went in though.

I was told not to shave beforehand. Something to do with infection control. The nurse did it for me immediately before my section.

I did get a bikini wax, just for my own peace of mind rather than anything else. Check with your consultant on timing? Mine said it was fine at my last appt 1 week before op, but others have said not to do it 2 weeks before etc.

The doctors honestly won't give a flying fig. But if you want hair free legs afterwards then go for it as shaving will be the last thing you care about/can physically do for a bit.

Also the incision is fairly low and usually around where the top of people's hair is. They often shave a little bit so you could remove that area if you wanted but it's not necessary.

I cam on expecting to give good advice about having 2 of everything clothes/ changing wise upstairs and downstairs so you don’t have to keep going up and down, and investing in a changing unit high enough so no bending is required. But see you are simply worried about your hairy Mary. 😂😂😂 so I’ll stand down!

Oh yes and to echo above don't remove hair immediately before as cuts or ingrown could cause an issue with infection. unlikely but still.

I'm 38w6 booked in for section on Monday coming. Came to section school at hospital this morning, went home and waters broke at tea time! Back in hospital now

I was told not to get bikini line done for infection reasons and because surgeon needs to see where your natural bikini line is. I would getvlegs done if it makes you feel better tho!

I’d sort myself out beforehand personally. Didn’t bother with my two c-sections and I had to shave myself with a horrible bic razor in the hospital (not my whole fanjo...but the top of my bush, beneath where they make the incision)

Would have been less itchy post section if I’d have had a wax beforehand 😆

Thanks everyone! After declaring I couldn’t sleep I then passed out about 10 mins after posting! Haha
I had an emergency c section with my first so have a good idea of what I need to do in the house etc to prep
Honestly didn’t think to ask consultant and there was nothing in my pre-op leaflet that I saw... ta for the advice!

I shaved the area before but they still go over it themselves - with a dry razor!!

Eeek @Pleasegodgotosleep hope all is going well for you!

Hmmm based on that I might give the area a go over myself today (if I can reach it around my bump ) at least there will be less to drag off with a dry razor!!!

They will shave your entire bush off anyway before they operate, so you waxing and shaping your bikini line would be a complete waste of time.

I was told not to because ingrown hairs could cause small infections that you don't want to risk if if it in the area they are cutting.
That's why they shave you, you can't get an ingrown hair/infection in the 5 minutes from them prepping you and the incision being made.

I did mine, in fact DH did it with veet as I couldn’t see over the bump and I was admitted (private room). I didn’t want shaving with a bic razor in theatre thanks.
I have a very neat low scar.

I did it the afternoon before my section so no regrowth.

Cheers everyone! I might ask my midwife just to make sure about the infection risk (seeing her today) 👍🏻

I had an emcs and didn’t have a chance to even get a quick bath and was mortified, we’d been to the farm that day so you can imagine how dirty I was. If I had the chance I would do everything to prep myself properly, good luck!

They will shave your entire bush off anyway before they operate, so you waxing and shaping your bikini line would be a complete waste of time.

No they won't!

If necessary, they will take off some of the hair at the top where the incision will be but that is all.

I had to be completely hair free for mine and was advised beforehand that I had to do it myself. The last one was 11 years ago though so things have probably moved on since then

chrisinthemorning
They don't use a bic!
The nurses used an electric shaver on me - I was told not to wax

OP, the best cs prep I did was to get DH to rig up some straps to the headboard so I could pull myself up when I needed to sit up in bed, and not put any strain on my stomach muscles

@Somewhereovertherainbow13
Eeek I think I would’ve felt the same! Although as others have said I’m sure no one noticed. hope it all went ok for you!

@Oopsy41
Your complete downstairs had to have no hair? All I can think is itchy itchy when it grows back! They just took a “stripe” off at the top for my emcs 2 years ago