This has been bothering me so I'm going to ask...

[bigredtractor]

I'm expecting my 1st baby in October and something has been preying on my mind...

When you go into labour and eventually head to the hospital, should you have 'ahem' tidied yourself up a bit down below? You know, had a trim? Or a wax?

Do they shave your bits before you give birth and if so, is it better to do it yourself beforehand?!

There - I've asked..!!

Fingers crossed for your VBAC GoodLifeMummy!

They used to shave everybody in the 40s, 50s, 60s or was it 70s? because they thought all that hair would increase infection rates (dirty, dirty hair!). More recently they came to realise that infection rates are actually higher in shaved women so they stopped bothering!

Not just shaving either, according to my work colleague they used to give everyone enemas too

Shave or trim if you want to. But honestly, there is absolutely no earthly reason why you should.

I feel a bit squicky at the thought of removing pubic hair pre-birth to be honest, but I accept that I am in the minority. For me, giving birth was a 'ROARRRR SEE ME BRING FORTH LIFE' sort of sweaty, powerful thing, and shaving your pubes is more of a Reader's Wives sort of porn sex thing.

why? why are people so scared of their body hair?

lol floot? why didn't it come back again?

I have a stretchmark too down the middle

almost looks like a perfect centre parting if I let the hair get too long

thats hilarious OP.. have you ever seen a birthing video? Theyre all wild down there!

I have an ick thing about hairy bits.. im aware its probably some kind of buy in to female oppression or something but in that respect maybe im a sad product of this fucked up society because I feel unhygenic if im not baldycoot. So I did have a hollywood before I went in to labour. The midwife commented on how it was strange to see someone who could be bothered to though so it must be rare I guess...

I thought this was going to be about pooing in labour.

I had a trim the second time round, because I got fed up of lochia all over my pubes first time round. Just a trim with a ladyshave though - nothing extreme.

fox, where have you been for the last 500 years?

hey pointy x!

had building work done on the house, coincided with v busy time at work grrr and dh going away for work, thought I'd never see the light of day again. Is just calming down again now. Not sure where last 6 months went tbh!

how are you

I am good thanks. Probably did you good to get away, you know

I don't know. Was so stressful. The problem with both of you working full time is you never get anything done. Well we don't, maybe other people do lol. We had planned building project at a quiet time for both of us but evil neighbour kept making a fuss about everything which threw it all back and hit our busiest time. We are such easy going people and never made a fuss when she did her building work. To say I am still seething would be an understatement lol.

Anyway, coming back down to earth now . Is always good to have a break from here I think!

you must be on hols now you lucky thing, off anywhere nice?

Just back from france. Fantastic sunshine

oh good, glad you had a nice time (after your wet holidays last year!)

oh yes! I forgot about my rain worries last year. And I agree, with both working full-time it's hard to get around to thinking about any major work, never mind carrying it out.

No trimming down below for me. But I did have a pedicure and leg wax.