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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

How many of you waxed pre birth?

74 replies

Conkertree · 15/09/2011 07:08

And to what extent? Just curious, having read a few people recently say they are waxed so now feel ready to give birth. Have never waxed that area before as tried it once and should probably have gone to a professional. Not pleasant.

So do people go for a general tidy up, or everything off?

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Besom · 15/09/2011 07:21

Oh god no. Obviously it's a personal decision but I'm never very sure why people do this.

Also, given there is at least a 4/5 week span where, in most cases, baby can come at any time, are you supposed to keep waxing? DD came early so I had not so much as shaved my legs but in the even I couldn't have cared less about any of that.

Dlamis · 15/09/2011 07:27

I didn't bother? As it was, I wouldn't have had chance (babies aren't that predictable) even if i wanted to but I still wouldn't bother. It's not as though anyone ie midwifes, nurses etc. will be standing there thinking "Ooo she's waxed" They'll have seen it all before waxed or unwaxed a zillion times and won't give a hoot.

The last thing you care about in the thoes of a contraction is the state of your ladygarden.

valbona · 15/09/2011 07:29

Yikes, no way! If it's something you do anyway and it makes you feel spruce, then why not I guess - but I'm sure as anything not about to start now. Giving birth is so bloody messy that a few hairs are neither here nor there ...

LawrieMarlow · 15/09/2011 07:32

I didn't do anything to tidy up my pubic hair before DS was born. Discovered this was a mistake as I lost a lot of blood and ended up with very matted pubic hair and once I could ended up cutting chunks of it off . With DD I trimmed a bit and didn't have the same problems afterwards.

But I would never have waxed - really don't see the point.

Bartimaeus · 15/09/2011 07:40

I usually wax. Have stopped (well except for once) since being pregnant because at first I was just too sick, then I just could not be bothered. Far too much effort!

Our midwives have specifically told us NOT to wax or epilate before giving birth, because it can lead to infection of the pores. Shaving is ok, the cream is ok but not waxing.

Before getting to 37 weeks I thought I would wax or at least shave just before the birth. I now can't see that part without a mirror so frankly I don't care! Might trim if I can be bothered one day....

Bunbaker · 15/09/2011 07:43

No. It never occurred to me.

Flisspaps · 15/09/2011 08:35

Ooh no. Wouldn't do it normally so certainly wouldn't bother when my undercarriage is going to look like a car crash anyway.

Besides, you then end up with itchy regrowth when you're already sore. No thanks. Hair's there for a reason. Quick trim perhaps (for the same reasons as LawrieMarlow!)

seaweedhead · 15/09/2011 08:43

Have never waxed anything. When pregnant my bikini line is well and truly out of sight and out of mind (and surely most midwives have seen a bit of unruly pubic hair before!) Actually, to be honest, even when not pg I don't do much with it anyway- its too much effort and what's the point? I do usually shave my legs but now at 28 weeks pg its getting hard work!

SinicalSal · 15/09/2011 08:45

God no.

the poor thing is in for enough trauma. besides adding to it.

Original poster

Conkertree · 15/09/2011 08:56

Thanks for the replies. Makes me feel better - didnt with my other two, but was starting to think I was in the minority. As Bartimaeus said - now I am 39 weeks, and cant see it anyway, so would be a bit of a struggle.

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notveryinventive · 15/09/2011 09:21

DH shaves mine, but he has been doing that since just before I got PG with DC1 7 years ago. Im now nice and trim down there, but TBH I probably wouldnt give it any more thought than what I usually do.

mistressploppy · 15/09/2011 11:01

I didn't have time with DS (4wks early) but I remember thinking perhaps I should have a trim, and apologising to the nurse stitching me up afterwards about the 'dense forestation'

In my defence I was on entonox at the time!

JiltedJohnsJulie · 15/09/2011 11:04

Exactly conker you don't want any little accidents with a razor in that area.

Didn't wax but did have a pedicure. Thought that if I was going to be looking at my feet for a few hours they should at least look good

Pudding2be · 15/09/2011 11:11

PMSL at mistress . To be fair my DP said I was hilarious on g&a too

IShouldHaveBeenAPairOfClaws · 15/09/2011 11:56

Never waxed ever, but I did have a scissor trim which meant that they didn't need to do anything extra for my section, they just sliced me open then and there.

LDNmummy · 15/09/2011 12:46

Personally I wouldn't for the reasons Bartimaeus said.

I am getting DH to trim it this week with and electrical trimmer so it is not short but it is neat, and will keep it that way till birth.

No itchy regrowth and no risk of infection that way.

Ro62 · 15/09/2011 13:51

I think in some countries, they still shave you if you haven't waxed beforehand, so that might be why some people assume it's a good idea. Who would want to be recovering from stitches etc while the stubble comes through from a bad shave job... They don't seem to do it here in the UK though.

One of my friends is a midwife and she moved from a tough inner-city hospital to a smaller unit in a 'smart' area recently. We asked her what differences she'd noticed in her new job, and she said they virtually all have epidurals straight off, and she was amazed to find out what a Hollywood wax was, they're apparently very popular in the new place but she'd never come across one before that.

She's seen it all though - I can't think of anyone who'd be less likely to be shocked by anything so I wouldn't worry about midwives' reactions!

Original poster

Conkertree · 15/09/2011 16:00

Excellent Ro62. Thats what I like to hear. I assume midwives must have lots of stories to tell after hours, but as long as they remain neutral at the crucial time, I can cope with being the butt of a joke later on.

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Original poster

Conkertree · 15/09/2011 16:01

Got to love the gas and air mistress - thats the bit I'm looking forward to.

OP posts:

Cheria · 15/09/2011 16:11

They shaved me a little for my C Section, but I would never have considered preparing anything myself I just don't see why anyone in the medical profession would be bothered by some pubes.

hiss42 · 15/09/2011 18:31

I agree that because of the pain you won't mind as much, but I remember being concious that I was going to poo everywhere....!
but for practicallies regarding stitches care afterwards I'm glad I had a good shave! Then again DS was more than 2 weeks overdue so i was incredibbly bored by the time I got round to doing it!

noteveryinventive You're DH shaves yours???? That;s.... unusual....

JenaiMarrHePlaysGuitar · 15/09/2011 18:38

I was about to ask "what on earth for?" but then remembered that I made a distinct effort to paint my toenails (no easy feat) and I guess waxing one's fanjo is just a few steps further than that in the rather pointless grooming stakes.

Bare fanjos weren't the norm back then though (and aren't now in my world, thank goodness).

BillComptonstrousers · 15/09/2011 18:42

Ok, this is shameful, I admit it, before I start telling you!

I was in early stages of labour with DD2, Midwife came to the house just to have a chat with me and a quick check, confirmed I was 3cm.

In my defence, early stages are pretty boring... So thought I'd have a nice warm bath to help with the backache before I went to hospital.

Ended up shaving my legs/underarms/ tidying up bikini line, getting out, drying/straightening my hair and putting on my make up

I look awesome in the post birth pictures though not like he first ones covered in blood!

meditrina · 15/09/2011 18:50

I didn't.

I really do not understand why anyone would do more (ever) than snip away knicker spiders! Adult women are meant to have pubic hair, and it only needs to be removed for any places to which a plaster might be stuck (eg post-operatively) - not for medical reason, but because of how much it hurts when they take the plaster off and the hair comes with it.

(Don't really want to divert this thread - but am left wondering what is the attraction of a prepubescent look there).

squinker45 · 15/09/2011 20:16

Love this thread. Have seen a similar one where almost everyone was saying the opposite so it's good to know I am not a hairy freak!

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