Shaving before section?!

[Advice451]

Just noticed in the book they have given me about my c section it says not to shave or wax my lady region for two weeks before ??
Is this true ?!

I think it's due to the risk of infection, if the skin became broken. Maybe try a hair removal cream instead?

I had an EMCS and had 'tidied up' with a razor the day before.

Plus they shave you before the procedure anyway.

I can't imagine it's a big issue.

I don't think it's common practise to shave you beforehand anymore, as the risk of infection and I growing hairs is higher with shaving than with cutting through the hairy skin.

If the leaflet says don't shave for 2 weeks, then don't. I suspect you shouldn't use hair removal cream either - they want the hairs to be there so they can stick you up making sure the hair is all outside the skin rather than stitching you up and then having the hairs grow into the scar.

I shaved before CS, nobody mentioned it/that I shouldn't have done.

No issues with scar healing/hairs getting in the way!

I guess if it tells you explicitly not to- ask a midwife for advice on alternatives

I shaved (just the top inch or two!) and then when I got to hospital they said that I shouldn't have. I was glad I had in the end though -peeling the dressing off bruised, sore skin was pretty painful, the thought of that dressing stuck to hairs makes me shudder! Though maybe they wouldn't tape it to hair...?

(I'm not suggesting you go against advice - I hadn't been advised not to. Agree it's be best to ask your midwife about alternatives)

Shaving increases the risk of surgical site infection, probably due to an increase in bacterial numbers in small abrasions in the skin. If you need hair removing it should be done immediately before the procedure to prevent bacteria getting a chance to colonise, and you should be clipped rather than shaved.

They trim you with an electric razor, so I wouldn't bother
I went in 70s porn style as decided I couldn't care less. And couldn't have got into a position to do anything about it If I had even wanted too.
There was no gasps of horror or whispering behind masks.

I was told not to shave as it increased the risk of infection, but that I should wax or use hair removal cream along my bikini line before going in. It's funny how the advice is different in the different places.

My first c-section was an emergency and they used a disposable razor and I ended up with an infection, but think they're more common with emergency sections anyway...

I'm impressed you could get down there to do any tidying!

Also wanted to know the answer to this, thanks OP!

Anyone know if you wax beforehand, do they shave over it again before the section as a matter of course?