Elective c-section shave or not

[Mum2025]

Hi mums

Anyone who had an elective c-section or any c-section did you shave or not ?? The reason I ask is because I want to do the shaving myself . I don't feel comfortable with a midwife or anyone else doing it . Was there any problem when you shaved yourself ?

I make sure I've had a wax before delivery. There's apparently more infection risk if you don't have hair but I think the risk must be pretty small. It's so much nicer for afterwards as well.

I did it myself beforehand. If you leave it to hospital, it's a scratchy Bic razor. They only do the top inch or so so you don't need to go full Hollywood (unless you want to).

How is that ghoulish? She seems quite anxious?

When I had DD nearly 6 years ago they didn't shave me so they may not need to.

In my experience (I’ve had four c sections) during the pre-op they will have a quick look and tell you whether you need to shave or not in advance and then you can do so. The section line is higher up than most women’s public hair line.

My midwife asked me not to shave at home as they'd rather do it in theatre where everything is sterile.

I'm a midwife.... we advise you not to a it increases the risk of infection. Theatres tend to use trimmers, not razors so it doesn't break the skin and they can use a new sterile head on each patient. It's only the top couple of centimetres. You could ask the midwife to do it before going in to theatre if you'd prefer.

I work in maternity theatres. Once the anaesthetic is done, we put the catheter in and shave if needed. I always keep the woman's dignity by covering her and only exposing the areas as needed. Shaving is very quick so minimum exposure. Once the surgeons are ready the abdomen is exposed and cleaned before the drapes go on, at which point only the bump is exposed.

Hopefully that is reassuring. You can also ask for minimal staff at the bottom end whilst this all takes place. I would also suggest some music to distract you, although the anaesthetists are usually quite chatty at the head end which can be a good distraction as well.

@Dyra

In reality though, as the person that would be shaving you in theatre if needed, most women shave/cream/wax beforehand. If it would bother you to have someone do it, just do it. I shaved before both my inductions, as I don't think I could have looked any of my colleagues in the eye afterwards if they had had to shave me. I know it's not much, but still.

Sorry just to clarify, are you saying that most women having c-sections are already shaved so you don't need to do it? I'm really surprised at this.

I was really embarrassed about getting shaved but I made myself feel better by telling myself they shave bushes many times a day

They will have seen thousands of fannies and your's will be no big deal to anybody at the birth, I'm certain. Please don't worry unnecessarily.

I'm reminded of this from One Foot in the Grave...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aCaAa-6KDUQ

I had a hysterectomy earlier this year which was keyhole thankfully but in the advice they did say not to shave, wax or anything that could potentially become infected for about a week before.

IME yes, but please don't feel bad about it. I still shave plenty of people! The recommendation is to not shave beforehand, so you were doing the right thing. To me someone already being shaved just means my mental check list of things to do gets ticked off and I can move on to the next thing to do. It's all part of my job.

I've had 2 sections, first I cannot remember this at all. It was emcs.

Second was meant to be planned but again turned out to be emcs as waters broke and I do remember someone mentioning it. It took a few seconds, they just shaved a little bit off the top. I wouldn't bother they will sort it out.

I had an emergency c-section and definitely wasn't shaved... I didn't even know this was a thing. If they had shaved me I wouldn't have cared!

I don't think I'd have noticed if they'd have dyed my muff like a Union Jack, never mind taken a tiny bit off the top of my pubes with a disposable razor. You're going to get a baby pulled out of an incision in your frontage, that bit will make the rest of it seem completely immaterial. Speak to your midwife if you're worried. They have literally seen it alll before.

I was told you’re not supposed to shave. They will shave the bit they need to.

Thanks by
My post I mean if it was okay to shave because I don't feel comfortable midwife doing it

I don't feel comfortable with that , the reason I want to do myself 😭

Why don’t you get a wax 2-3 weeks before? Problem solved. No shaving and long enough time for everything to heal.

I've had an EMCS and when they went to shave me they found I'd already done it as I'm a shaven heaven lass. It's no problem to be shaven

You might need a partner to be helping by the end though 🤣

I had a c section 2 years ago. Was told at my pre-op not to shave. I normally do so it wasn't a full bush but more than normal (bump was massive!). They didn't shave me at all.
Wish I had shaved though because I just personally prefer it especially when using pads etc and couldn't shave for ages due to scar.

I had a feeling my induction would result in an EMCS - I was right - so I had shaved but not right to the skin! I figured an ingrowing hair digging into a fresh wound/scar might affect how well the scar healed or didn't so there's no way I would have gone all the way down.

I tidied it up but the hair was pretty short all over, but at least a centimetre or so. In the end they didn't have to shave at all as it was short enough. I remember them saying in theatre it wasn't necessary.