SHAVING???!!!

[elydoll]

Hello!
This might sound like a silly question but...
a few months ago my mum told me I should consider shaving everything down below before I get to the hospital to give birth or they will do it and its not pleasant, now Im no hairy monster but i dont really see the point of a full shave either.
Anyway, I kind of dismissed what she said as being something done years and years ago (sorry mum!) and that times had moved on. There was no mention of shaving in any of the pregnancy books Ive seen and then shock horror... on a couple of threads i saw the mention of this hospital doing shaving and this one not??!!
Now my mum gave birth to me 30 years ago in england but to my little sister 16 years ago in france and in both cases she was shaved....
Can someone please clarify the truth of the matter? I am planning to return to the UK to give birth. Should I really be considering an all over shave??
thx for any info!!
xxx

No.
You might be asked to do the top inch or so of your pubic hair if you have an elective Elydoll, but otherwise shaving AFAIK is just not done these days.
Did your poor mother get an enema when she went into labour too?

I thought it was only for c/sections these days (I had to be shaved .... a little bit mind you ... for mine) ... but when I was in labour and fully planning to give birth naturally it was never suggested ....

LOL Marina ... when I read your post I thought, "What is an Elective Elydoll?" until I read the nickname of the OP

I wasn't shaved with dd, I don't think it's done anymore but for this baby I will definitely be shaved as I am in Spain and in some respects they are 30 years behind UK.

No dont do it.

Women had to have it done in the 1960's ,but luckily not now

No shaving required - there was a thread not long ago about the correct ettiquette here

Oh they still do enemas here too and routine episiotimies [sp]. I am really looking forward to my birth, not! Oh while i'm on a roll, they don't have gas and air either.

Thank you so much LynnC for that link! That thread is not only informative but one of the funniest ones I have ever read online!

thanx again and good luck lucy5 with your spanish birth glad I am not staying in france and going to the UK for the birth (although am glad had my pregnancy in france and not in england..felt better cared for and followed by my gyno/obs)!!!

I was attacked with cold water and a rusty bic razor!

Your welcome - thought it would give you a laugh and put mind at ease - good luck x

had DH banging on door of bathroom while i was in labour and in bath trying (!) to relax , shouting ,

'don't forget to do your bikini line'

oh FFS!!!! i'm sure they'll let me give birth if it's not groomed to within an inch of its life!!!!!!!!!! was my choice reply!!!

and believe me , when i was pushing out DD, no-one shouted at me for not sporting a brazilian or whatever it is!!!

happy birthing xxx

I have given birth 9 times in hospital in England. My first baby was born over 19years ago. Have NEVER been shaved.

9 times!!! wow! thats a lot!

When my mum had me 27 years ago she was shaved BUT gladly my bits were left well alone when I gave birth to dd last year..! .

And if you have a section, they only shave the top bit, near to the scar, the rest if left in place.

NO, never been shaved, except for c-section purposes. Wasn't nice though, a dry bic, and a little blunt too.
My dh was a little embarrassed by the whole thing. I didn't care to be honest!

lucy5 I sympathise as I'm across the border in Portugal & along with all the ones you mentioned we still have to give birth in stirrups!!! Managed to avoid epistomy the 2nd time by arriving at hospital 20 minutes before birth & only getting onto delivery bed 2 mins before!! My advice; stay home as long as possible & hit the hospital running!

Good plan, thanks, we have stirrups too!