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've been shaving by touch/memory for a long time, even before pregnancy (I wear pretty strong prescription glasses, which I obviously take off in the shower where I shave). I prefer having no growth/minimal growth there generally, and so far I managed to reach the bits, even with the belly. My plan was just to continue with that. May need to look into whole shaving in late pregnancy thing..

@Bleepers interesting. I had a c section infection and I wonder if that's why 🤔

I shaved from memory both times I probably looked like a patchwork quilt down there but I doubt the midwives cared... I think it was my own insecurities but looking back in hindsight it wasn't worth the struggle lol

I left it alone, I was worried about tears and getting sewn up with stubble coming through and interpreting hairs/chafing on wounds to enjoy.
I sorted it all out later (when access was a ton easier ) 😆

The hair really does my head in and gets itchy so I shave by touch because I haven't been able to see down there for many weeks now (33 weeks now)

I've had some laser hair removal, so regrowth was already well slowed, but have had to pause my last 2 treatments in the meantime. I wasn't having it all off, just a good tight tidy up. Can't get at myself anymore, 34 weeks and only 5'1 so I'm approaching being as wide as I am tall. I lie frog legged and hubby trims what's left with body hair trimmer, just to keep it tidy and cleaner feeling. The bits that have been mostly lasered are really wispy and you'd barely see them!

I was forewarned pregnancy can basically counteract laser hair removal due to surge of hormones making lots of new hair grow, thankfully legs and bikini are still good, but got some lovely new chin hairs

Lady shaver!

Trimming/shaving is far too scary when you can't see a bloody thing! I've been using Veet hair removal cream, the regrowth isn't itchy or painful when it starts to come back in but you feel much tidier. That reminds me, probably need to have another bash at it this week... 39 weeks tomorrow 😂

I saw 'downstairs hair' and thought you were going to ask us for vacuum cleaner recommendations because you kept a big hairy dog downstairs or something

Anyway, moving on... the midwives simply won't notice and won't care.

Go and get it waxed and legs, underarms before. You won't have time or energy afterwards

I thought this was a thread about dogs and hoovers.

Midwives don't give a shiny shite aout personal grooming.
Many women in labour crap and pee.
Mix that with amniotic fluids and blood- they don't care about your neat quiff.

And neither will you.
In the depths of labour they could have brought in the London Philharmonic orchestra and Top gear and I would not have cared.

I saw 'downstairs hair' and thought you were going to ask us for vacuum cleaner recommendations because you kept a big hairy dog downstairs or something

Yes me too!!

@speakout Haha, glad it wasn't just me!

I think this has probably got to be the first generation of women to give pubic hair a thought!
Women have been giving birth for millenia - do you really think midwives are going to worry about hair growth?
For what it's worth, if they need to give you a little shave ahead of a C-section they will.
Pubic hair is normal!

I just left it, my bump was so big I couldn't reach down there anyway!

Last time I attempted a once over with a lady shave, probably just ended up looking like a zebra crossing down there.

I had a sugar wax done at 38 weeks. It was virtually pain free and I was hair free for 6 weeks after so didn't need to worry with hair removal whilst I was healing let alone if I had stitches or a tear.

If you feel comfortable with hair - do it!

I had a regular full wax once I could no longer reach as I can't stand the feel of hair down there. It made me feel nice and clean afterwards whilst having to use maternity pads too. I got my legs done on my last one so I didn't need to think about shaving. I was in for over a week so it was nice to feel fresh. Definitely personal preference though and I only did it for myself.
I also had my 'labour nails' done and it cheered me up seeing my ridiculous sparkly toes while my legs were up in stirrups!
I'm going to do the same this time around.

@Scotinportugal

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 😱

What if you don't consent to being shaved??

@ponygirlcurtis

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!

This has amused me greatly! Thank you.

I lie frog legged and hubby trims what's left with body hair trimmer

No! No! No!!!! The thought of this fills me with horror. There are some things my DH and I don’t share with each other.

Last time I was pregnant I got my DH to run over it with some barbers clippers on a #3 with a #2 on the sides. We called it cuntouring.

I won't bother this time, there are few things worse than itchy fanny regrowth.

@aToadOnTheWhole 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

"We called it cuntouring."

🤣

@BeingATwatItsABingThing I guess I just don't get this viewpoint, maybe some women like to keep a bit of mystery... my husband has definitely seen my vagina so doesn't bother me at all 😂 bodies are wonderful multi functional things, so the context makes no difference.

We draw the line at pooping, that is an adults most vulnerable time and definitely a solitary activity.