Downstairs hair - what to do?

[Daisysandviolets]

Please don't all laugh at me or judge me for posting this, but what's everyone doing with their downstairs hair for labour. I'm 36 weeks and Although I can't see it, don't think it's ever been this hairy before 🙈 now bump is so big even with a mirror is difficult!

Does everyone just go with it or have a wax or have a go at trying to shave yourself?

I just trim mine with a lady shave to keep myself comfortable but I wouldn't bother doing anything specifically for labour. They won't care and you might not want itchy regrowth around your perineum if you end up with stitches so I wouldn't get a full Hollywood or anything like that.

I just go with the hair. If anyone had a problem with that they would be welcome to French plait it for me.

Just leave it. Midwives have seen it all! I've had 2 DC and how my downstairs looked didn't even enter my mind during child birth. And like pp said, you don't want itchy re growth

I'm 35 weeks and feel your pain 😂 I've just been shaving every few days by touch/memory. Definitely wouldn't have a wax at the minute, particularly since I think your bits will be more prone to swelling/irritation. I figure by shaving every few days, the growth won't be too bad by the time I go into labour if I don't have time to tidy up beforehand.

I should note - I'm still shaving just for my own comfort, not because I'm worried about being judged! I'm sure the midwives don't even think about it or notice.

@SummerHouse haha! that made me chuckle!

Might see what I can hack at from memory and just go with the rest!

Last time I booked a bikini wax for my due date and she was early! I must've looked a right state and nobody seemed to care. This time I think I'll just have a trim and a bit of a shave if I can reach

I'm pretty sure I read that you're NOT supposed to shave it in the last few weeks of pregnancy because it increases the risk of infections?

I've also wondered this lol. I use a Philips oneblade (Mens shaver). I often catch myself with it where I can't see, but I never notice as it doesn't hurt lol. I can't stand long hair, find it so itchy but I also do worry about the state of it when I go into labour. Although the midwives, and probably me when in pain, won't care at all lol.

Literally do not worry about it. You could have a bikini wax, dodgy home trim or a wig down there all the midwives care about is you and your baby.

I just like mine to look neat so I will do that but I would no way go for a full Hollywood just before. The itchy regrowth whilst your downstairs is the most painful it’s ever been sounds like unnecessary torture.

shaving increases your risk of infection. there is also research indicating you are less likely to tear if au naturel.

i'd trim for ease of keeping yourself clean post partum.

I've been using my other halfs beard trimmer when he isn't home haha

I went with hair last time and had a c section. OMG it was so painful to remove the dressing. I'll be waxing this time!

I had the full bush in labour both times. Nobody cares and if you have a c section they prefer to be able to see where the hair is growing.

I didn't notice it was a pregnancy question and I was intrigued to see why you might have your hair differently upstairs and downstairs 🤣
I used a lady shaver to keep it short, especially before going in. But not prickly short.

I had a wax just before first baby was due, and I'll do the same this time around. Labour is uncomfortable enough without having stubble interfere!

"Downstairs hair"?! Bit of a weird euphemism!
How about bush or lady garden if you don't want to say pubic hair?!

I guess you don't call it your vulva either?

Now is not the time to be squeamish about your genitals when you're going to be pushing a baby out of them!

It's tricky to reach when you get close to the due date but I've given my hair a trim with scissors, not too short but just to tame it a bit

I'd like nice neat edges but it's not going to happen and the midwives won't care.

I did get a leg wax and a pedicure at the end of my first pregnancy, but didn't want any wax anywhere near my vulva, and don't this time either!

My LO was 9 days late.. by that point I couldn't care what was going on with the hair down there 😂

I’m still early on but sick of itchy regrowth after shaving so i’ve been using this

www.superdrug.com/Toiletries/Female-Hair-Removal/Hair-Removal-Cream/Woo-Woo-Intimate-Hair-Removal-Cream/p/776653?singleResultSearchPage=true

It seems to have mixed reviews but i found it worked really well, i bought it when it was on offer though. I usually use an IPL machine but thats been put away now till baby is here. I’ve found this much better than shaving but definitely do a patch test if you do try it

I feel your struggle OP, I'm 26+4 and already can't see down there

I live in the Algarve and have been told my multiple people including my family doctor that here you don't have a choice... you either shave or wax before you go in to hospital or they will shave you 😱

Don't do what I did - I was a few days from my due date and wanted to shave it all off as it had been months - don't know why, just an odd pregnancy thought I had. But standing was uncomfortable due to horrible SPD and I was generally struggling to get at the area in the shower around my massive bump. Thought 'I will shave half off today and the other half tomorrow...' DS decided to appear several days early and I never got a chance to do the other side. Midwife would have been faced with my extreme lopsidedness. Only remembered months later!

I had the mindset that my midwife was probably going to see me poo so I didn’t worry too much about hair just keep it however you want or like.

I had a wax before c section. I was glad it was easy to see the wound /scar and keep it dry. I don't get any itch regrowth from waxing. I would be a mess if I shaved though.

Pretty sure I read you should leave it for the last trimester as removing hair increases chance of infection during/after labour. Plus, childbirth is pretty messy and no one will give a hoot how much hair you have down there!