Shaving before c-section?

[Honeybee79]

Sorry for the slightly grim question! I'm booked for an elective on Fri (eek). At my pre-op assessment the midwife said I had to shave my public hair down as far as the public bone.

I got waxed this morning (can't stand the thought of the itching following shaving) but no idea if I have gone low enough tbh. However the scar from my EMCS is visible.

They will use my previous scar so assume I have done enough? And if not, they will shave it in theatre if necessary?

They didn't shave anything when I had my EMCS!

TIA.

I think if your scar from your previous section is visible you should be fine.

As you say, if it's not enough they'll shave you again, it'll only take a second.

Thanks oldlaundbooth

I thought the advice was not to shave something like 2 days (maybe 2 week?) before to reduce the risk of micro-cuts and infection? I'd imagine that waxing well in advance though would probably be ok, though and I would assume previous scar is a suitable guide. No experience of a CS yet, however, I will be having an ELCS.

I had 2 emergency c-sections and they shaved me in hospital both times. Did not have to do it myself. Guess they are used to doing it so shouldn't be a problem. Good luck with it all.

They shaved me lower on consultant's request

Current best practice is not to shave or wax as it causes tiny tears and abrasions where bacteria hide out and cause an infection risk.

Some hospitals and hcp haven't updated their procedures though despite it being in place in 2005 when i had dc1

Dear OP,
No problem with you waxing but please do not shave yourself. Any shaving needed should be done in theatres to reduce the risk of post operative wound infection. Your midwife gave you poor advice and I say that as a HCP.

I was shaved before mine. I'd done a tidy up at 38 weeks but by 42 weeks clearly I needed so,e work doing! Nothing like being shaved by a stranger! 😀

I had an EMCS in June. My pubic hair doesn't come anywhere near my scar. Do they do incisions for emergency sections higher up? Or is mine just higher than usual?

My scar from my section is towards the top of my hair. Sounds like you've shaved enough OP.

Mine was shaved during surgery with a disposable bic 😱 Oh the discomfort during the regrowth!

I was explicitly told not to shave and was shaved in theatre. Scar lower below hair line than I expected as I am not particularly hairy. I think they go through the same scar if you need another section.

I trimmed the night before with dp's beard trimmer and they didn't shave me in theatre or tell me to!

My scar is a good 2 inches below knocker line, I could never show anyone as i'd flash all my bits!

Good luck op

For others reading:
DON'T shave! It increases the risk of wound infection.

Trim the hair with a hair strimmer instead :)

Thanks v much everyone! Soooo glad that I waxed instead of shaved. I did think it a bit odd when she told me to do it as shaving can cause lots of skin irritation, hence I am a waxer not a shaver! Will leave alone now and they can do what they will.