OK, trivial I know but, waxing or shaving before a CS?

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Last time was EMCS and to be honest hair removal was the last thing on my mind, I haven't got a clue what happened down there. But, I've heard references to midwives shaving the area - is that what happens? If so, I'd rather ensure everything is 'ready' in advance - vaguely remember regrowth being itchy though, so would I be better shaving or waxing? Any experiences to share?!

Thanks ladies

True fact! Was shaved for dc2 as dc1 an emergency cs & there wasn't time. Must have itched but was probably the least of my discomforts - can't remember.

I had a bikini wax very low down (ie it almost went to mid pubic bone) two days before my ECS and the consultant upon seeing me lying on the table said "oh dear me, that won't do" and shaved it off!!!

on the advice of a friend who is a midwife, i used immac (or whatever it's called now)

HinnyPet noooo, really? I'd rather not have the whole surgical team commenting on my pubic hair. Like I say, last time I was so out of it I wouldn't have given two hoots what they did with it but going in there without all the labour adrenalin will be a bit different I suspect

JackiePaper hmm interesting - did she say why?

just that it is the least painful method!!

when i went in for my CS a student midwife did come in brandishing a dry bic, so i was glad i was able to say 'you're alright thanks, i've already sorted it'!

Aha - yes I see. Gah, dry bic, yup, I'm definitely going in there prepared

Didn't get shaved for mine - scar is just above my hair line. The worst thing I remember was how hard it was to get all the gunk from the surgical tape off (not just round the scar, but on my back where the epidural line had been taped in place).

Lurcio, oh yes, I remember the gunk from the surgical tape but yuk, had forgotten about the creepy plaster over the epidural hole. Really haven't thought much about the CS until now but it's starting to kick in now!

Nah - the theatre staff have seen a thousand hairy fannies, unless yours is dyed pink they won't bat an eyelid!

Now.... if you are having a planned CS did you know you can have your own music playing? We didn't, but "Rule The World" by Take That came on the radio when DS popped out and it was such a sweet, sweet moment!!

Also - and not to scare you cos it is quite rare- remember that if you're lying flat whilst being stitched up, the "gas" from your tummy can rise up to your shoulders and hurt like f*ck so if you feel pain, tell them and they will raise your shoulders, it was sheer bliss after!

Good luck with your CS.

I can't remember any tape or plasters where my epidural was...eek.
I do remember though keeping very quiet when a friend of mine went on about how weird she thought it was that women has their bikini line waxed in preparation for birth (mine was booked) - they just shaved a touch off the top for my cs, but frankly I was past caring at that point!

Now there's a thought Hinny

Ooh, didn't know about the music choice, think I might just leave it to chance and see what's playing though (last time it was fairytale of NY, have had a soft spot for it ever since!)

Thanks for the warning re the weird gas thing, will def remember that - thank you!

Jaynie yes, I remember being terrified to take the plaster off in case it was an open wound or something. Was so squeamish about it, in the event there was nothing there at all I don't think. The waxing in advance thing is partly cos I feel like it'll be so long before I have a chance to get anything like that done again, at least when everything else is falling apart, leaking or sagging in the early days, I'll have a neat bikini line!!

I shaved the nigh before my ELCS to about 1 inch below bikini line which was fine. IF you have sticky tape patches after nail polish remover cleans them off really well.

as mine was an EMCS they shaved me and as far as i can remember it was like barbers clippers - i have a vague memory of a humming noise! so i wasn't hair free but like a no 1 level of hair.
not at all itchy but if i'd had any sensation left down there i imagine it would have felt v prickly!

I shaved the night before too with both mine (first I had an emergency section after a very long labour but had prepared just in case) One of the only things I remember about my first CS was one of the midwives laughing about the fact that I'd already 'prepared' but I just said I didn't want anyone shaving me with a dry bic. 2nd time round was elective and did the same (no comments from the team that time!) 2nd time round I also had my own music playing (compilation of my favourite songs) - they said they were happy to play it as long as it wasn't death metal or whale song!

Damn, there goes my plan to give birth to the sound of death metal

Righto, think I'll probably shave then (possibly with the help of DH, starting to get a bit hard to see down there now!), am now thinking waxing is not such a good plan due to potential ingrown hairs in scar area... yuk

I got complimented on my shave job for my elective CS . I was paranoid that someone else would need to do it. I ended up having about 20 people* seeing my lady garden, so I don't know why I was so prudish.

• NB: DD2 was born with a rare birth abnormality, so a lot of staff asked to attend the birth (with my permission!) This number is not normal.