labour - the pube debate - what is normal?

[ThatllDoPig]

Ok. Just wondering . .
Last time I just gave up and there was a wild and natural forest down there. The midwife and baby had to fight their ways through somehow.
This time I have shaved, but haven't been able to see what I'm doing, past bump,for a while, and I actually feel more embarassed about it, as it is probably a lacerated, harry potter scarred, plucked chicken, hideosity. Will the midwife think I am a selfharming pregnant porn star!!
I know in actual childbirth there are more important things going on, but what does everyone else do?
I can't believe everyone goes and gets a professional job done. It's expensive when you're on a budget, and embarassing, and painful, and everything grows back so quickly.

I shave.

I think there is no dignity in childbirth, so I want my bits, pits and legs shaved and my toenails painted!

at "watch my flaps" - hilarious!

FWIW I've been and had a bikini wax today - due next week. Though I can imagine mws really aren't too fussed?

I'm having an Elcs and was told by my midwife that they don't shave you anymore as you're more likely to get an infection if the nick the skin. Might have a trim - if I can be arsed!

Oh good grief. Chances are you'll do a turd, or indeed a whole curly host of turds in front of a group of strangers at some point during your labour. Tidying up your pubes will somehow maintain your dignity and 'feminine appeal'? Really?

'Oh good grief. Chances are you'll do a turd, or indeed a whole curly host of turds in front of a group of strangers at some point during your labour. Tidying up your pubes will somehow maintain your dignity and 'feminine appeal'? Really?'

glad to hear it is not just me

I plan on just going at them with sissors to remove the worst and prevent any awkward tanglings. I'm not attempting to shave what I can't see and dealing with stubble afterwards is definately not for me.

@ readytoburst - I had a emergency CS, so it may be different, but they did shave just the top of my pubes for that. Razor was rather cheap and nasty and had ingrown hairs for weeks!

Last time we lived somewhere which had huge mirrors in the bathroom so I was able to trim it myself.

This time, I can't see anything, even in our smaller mirror as bump is big and low, so I asked DP to trim it for me and shave my bikini line.
Never again - he kept making 'mistakes' and trying to even it out so I ended up looking like a plucked chicken - not to mention the bloody itching!
I am now leaving it to its own devices - DC2 is due in two weeks so it may be trimmed or it may be wild again! :)

i still can't believe anyone worries about this
unless you think the baby's going to get stuck in your pubes don't sweat it

midwives will be concentrating on the baby not your bush

lol @ Poppet45.

I decided that as I couldn't see it, I wasn't bothered by it. My midwife did say I needed a pedicure though so I suggested that she have a go whilst she was down there.

I didn't do any trimming at all with DS. I do actually regret that because it was very wild and hairy and I lost a lot of blood after he was born and so ended up with very matted pubes. Had to cut chunks out afterwards.

So with DD I trimmed a little. And lost less blood anyway. But would recommend if you tend to be hairy of pube to trim a little bit.

I have only been waxed once, for my wedding, the wax removed hair and skin so I ended up walking down the aisle commando as my knickers were too painful to wear.