Is shaving allowed before a c-section?

sarah13xx · 2021-04-08T18:41:32+00:00

Sorry to ask a very personal question.. literally the least of my worries since I’m terrified about the entire thing but for some reason it’s all I’m thinking about 🤣 I don’t think I’d even care about people seeing for a natural birth but the idea of not being able to shave and being fully on show for all to see in theatre is freaking me out a bit for the catheter to get put in 🙈 Can you shave? Even a week before? Can you wax? Do they tell you not to? Help 🤣x

Watto1 · 08/04/2021 19:45

Yes you can. In fact, if you haven’t, they will shave the incision site for you . My bump was so massive I couldn’t do it myself without risking serious injury!

Helpmyhair2019 · 08/04/2021 19:45

It was about 10 years ago now but I was asked to shave bikini area before I went in for my csections so I’m sure it’s the same now

Danni91 · 08/04/2021 19:45

They will shave the top before you go in anyway. So you absolutely can a few days before if you want too!

NEE1302 · 08/04/2021 19:46

Hi. They actually ask you to shave (the top bit at least) beforehand for where the incision goes. So you'll be fine!

Original poster

sarah13xx · 08/04/2021 19:51

Oh that’s great news 😅 I keep seeing things saying not to shave because it causes micro tears in the skin which cause infection but clearly most people do! Doubt I’ll be able to see by then but that makes me feel better x

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GrapesAreMyJam · 10/04/2021 23:23

This reply has been deleted

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster

sarah13xx · 10/04/2021 23:37

@GrapesAreMyJam

I had an ELCS on two days ago and was asked not to shave to reduce risk of infection. I think it depends on the hospital and the team delivering your baby

Hope it went well! I have definitely heard of people being asked not to before, I’m waiting to see what mine will say

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RockCrushesLizard · 11/04/2021 00:06

The shaving rules vary from one hospital to another, as pp have said.

Just to reassure you about being "on show" though, they are really conscious to give you as much dignity as possible. I had a drape over me while they were putting the catheter in, and even during the surgery, there were covers placed over the bikini bit IYSWIM (I had no idea, as I was numb, but we took a photo of DD emerging, which clearly showed I'd been covered up)

2021expecting · 11/04/2021 00:10

I didn't shave beforehand as I couldn't see past my bump and would have risked injury 🤣 So they shaved the incision area for me prior to the c section 😊

Mistressinthetulips · 11/04/2021 00:11

I didn't and wasn't asked to. If they did it to me I've no idea.

AppropriateAdult · 11/04/2021 00:12

Honestly, I used to catheterise women for C sections as part of my job and I couldn’t tell you if women were shaved or not, it’s just not something the staff caring for you will be paying any regard to. You won’t be exposed any more than is absolutely necessary, so please try not to worry about that - you will never be left with your genital area uncovered during a section.

KeyboardWorriers · 11/04/2021 00:14

I would take advice from your hospital.

However, to reassure you - I had been in hospital with my older child for the two weeks leading up to younger child's birth. Had managed a few snatched showers (he was very ill) but didn't even think about shaving. They probably needed a chainsaw to get through the undergrowth but no comments were made!

Original poster

sarah13xx · 11/04/2021 07:45

@AppropriateAdult

Honestly, I used to catheterise women for C sections as part of my job and I couldn’t tell you if women were shaved or not, it’s just not something the staff caring for you will be paying any regard to. You won’t be exposed any more than is absolutely necessary, so please try not to worry about that - you will never be left with your genital area uncovered during a section.

Haha that’s good to know 😂 I think it’s completely different from what I was picturing. I won’t be caring about that when it comes to the day at all. Just had this image of me lying there for all to see surrounded by these surgeons 🤣

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Original poster

sarah13xx · 11/04/2021 07:48

@KeyboardWorriers

I would take advice from your hospital.

However, to reassure you - I had been in hospital with my older child for the two weeks leading up to younger child's birth. Had managed a few snatched showers (he was very ill) but didn't even think about shaving. They probably needed a chainsaw to get through the undergrowth but no comments were made!

I will ask that at my appointment just before it. I’m sure they really won’t care and itl be done in 2 seconds then no one will even see. Just me worrying about the small things 🙄

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Danni91 · 11/04/2021 20:15

Tbh OP, and i know its easy to say but - they've seen it all thousands of times! It really isn't anything to overthink or worry about.
I did use a hair removal cream a week or two before, saves the itchy shaving rash!

Just do you and what makes you comfortable, they'll preform the c section if you are shaved or not!

ivfbeenbusy · 11/04/2021 20:27

Usually you're told you can shave or wax no sooner than 3 days before

I had an emergency c section for twins as haemorrhaged whilst waiting for a scan - I hadn't shaved in months because quite honestly with a twin bump I hadn't seen down there since about 20 weeks pregnant - at that moment it was the least of my worries 🤣

October2020 · 11/04/2021 20:29

I didn't shave and they definitely did not shave me... it was an emergency so maybe that is why but definitely no shaving went on!

Crockof · 11/04/2021 20:30

Honestly the worst thing was them shaving me, I was told by my mum to be 'au natural ' when the midwife got out the razor I died a little

user1636853246842157 · 11/04/2021 20:33

If hair needs to be removed for surgery they use clippers so that there is no infection risk.

ivfbeenbusy · 11/04/2021 20:40

I wasn't shaved - there just wasn't time - it would have been a case of me and the twins surviving or a nice neat you know what

In the words of another poster I'd read once
On a thread of the same topic "they can french plait it for all I care" 🤣🤣🤣

merrymelody · 11/04/2021 20:44

A nurse shaved me pre-op.

Original poster

sarah13xx · 11/04/2021 20:49

@Crockof

Honestly the worst thing was them shaving me, I was told by my mum to be 'au natural ' when the midwife got out the razor I died a little

🤣🤣🤣 oh no! I’m sure they thought nothing of it though

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GeorgesGreenDinosaur · 11/04/2021 20:51

I shaved a few days before I went into hospital for an induction and ended up having an emergency c-section.
Someone in theatre asked if I needed shaving and the surgeon said no, while I was busy vomiting down my husbands arm.
One of my finer moments.

Crockof · 11/04/2021 21:05

🤣🤣 oh no! I’m sure they thought nothing of it though

It was 20 years ago, I still feel the shame

Original poster

sarah13xx · 11/04/2021 21:22

@GeorgesGreenDinosaur

I shaved a few days before I went into hospital for an induction and ended up having an emergency c-section. Someone in theatre asked if I needed shaving and the surgeon said no, while I was busy vomiting down my husbands arm. One of my finer moments.

😂😂😂 haha sounds like it! At least they said no 🤷🏼‍♀️

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