Caesarean - wax or shave?

[neverknowinglyundercatered]

Hi All, as a regular lurker and only occasional poster I never imagined I'd be brave enough to create a thread but I need the kind of help that you can only get on MN!

I am now 40+5 and am having an elective c-section on Tuesday, I was anticipating having a vaginal delivery (as I had with DS1) and the requirement for the section has come about quite unexpectedly, I am therefore playing catch up on planning what I need to do.

The hospital suggested that I de-fluff before the procedure (with DH's help as required ) but I have got myself all hung up on whether I would be better to shave/immac/wax. (I'm worrying about itchy regrowth, ingrowing hairs, the pain of waxing causing me to go into labour, all sorts of nonsense!)

I have waxed previously though don't regularly. So what's the collective wisdom around what's best?

(I do recognise that I am expending time and angst on a minute issue in the grand scheme - it is however providing a distraction from the more significant issues that got me into this situation in the first place!!).

Thanks in advance for any insights.

I did a rather botched and uneven immac job myself, and the regrowth was pretty soft.

Am surprised the hospital suggested it though as the incision is usually way above the line of pubic hair. Best not to risk the midwife with a bic though.

It is unusual to be asked to de-fuzz (unless there is a lot of fuzz down there!) as it creates more problems than it solves and the incision is usually above the hairline anyway.

I was handed a razor in the hospital and asked midwife for help. what she shaved off was the very top of your pubes, the bit underneath your bump, they are not interested in the rest as they don't even go "down there" They cut into the very bottom of your tummy, like where the elastic of your knickers would sit

If you shave, it will grow back itchy. You will NOT be th ankful for htat.

I think its good idea actually, I had a CS last year (emergency so no chance to de-hair!) and although they cut above hte hair line, the dressing was STUCK TO MY PUBES - I had to ask the MW to help me remove it with scissors [shame] , I could have really done without that tbh

I'd immac as its pretty gentle. you'd prob need to do it a couple of tmies imo

They did this for me when I got to the hospital, with a Bic, nice. It was quite itchy when it grew back, but then so was the scar healing.
You don't need to remove very much hair. Maybe just use Immac or something, get DH to help if he doesn't mind!

BTW, I thought that when you have the spinal block/epidural for the CS, and your legs are numb, they should give you a proper leg and bikini wax while it won't hurt. Once less thing to worry about in the weeks after giving birth.

Good luck with the CS!!

I'd wax because the dressing does go over your hair, even if the incision does not. Ouchy.

I had a midwife with a bic job (em cs) and I can safely say that the itching with regrowth added to the very uncomfy process of recovery.

I say wax or immac the top of your, erm, triangle off - that's where they need to get to!

Good luck!

i just a had a quick tidy up when i had my cs :0

I used immac had a good tidy and took off top of triangle. My scar is a bit beneath the line of pubes and didn't have any issues with regrowth!!

Thanks so much guys - I knew you wouldn't fail me! Sounds like shaving is definitely out, so I just need to decide if I can steel myself for waxing and if not get the immac out.

Penona you make a good suggestion, I think it should be part of the procedure!

I had a MW get way too enthusiastic with a dry Bic before my emcs. I had to point out that there was no way the surgeon would be cutting that low. I second the advice to go for immac. My cut was above the bikini line but the dressing was about 3 inches wide.

Also don't forget big comfortable knickers. My cut is exactly where the elastic lies on most of my usual pairs.

Penona I must remember that if I have another CS.

Good Luck

Depends on where your hairline stops. My stopped about 1 cm below the cs incision. I did not have to shave for emcs or elective cs.

Hmm, well I was given a blunt razor for my elective, and the itchy regrowth was DIRE. For my VBAC, I waxed, which was horrific, your blood all congeals down There, and it's ultra sensitive, so my waxing was a mess of blood, TMI,sorry, but even the waxer advised not to do it. This time (VB)I am going au natural, feck them.

I shaved and it was fine, but thats what I'm used to. and my scars are really really low, below hairline definately, it's like on the very edge of the boney bit down there, so couldn't possibly be any lower.

I've seen some scars a lot higher, so I've always thought that if the surgeon goes to start your op and there's hair there, he's always going to go a bit higher than the hair isn't he? So take it all off I say for better chance of a neat low scar. well that's what I think...

immac

I got DH to help me take the top off triangle the night before. They did ask in my pre op in the morning if I had and took a quick peek to make sure I had taken enough off.
I shaved and didn't suffer any itchy regrowth.