Shaving intimate area for giving birth?

[Goofypeach]

Hi everyone,

I used to wax before pregnancy and on the first month of pregnancy (when I still didn't know I was pregnant) I actually had a bruise from the hot wax I did, which seemed really weird until I found out I was pregnant
So from that moment I discovered that my skin was ultra sensitive and I stopped shaving my intimate area, because I wondered if we were made with hair maybe we need them to protect us from infections?! Anyways, now I'm wondering
If I need to shave before giving birth?!
I saw different opinions online and just wanted to know what did you guys do and what you suggest? Now with the pandemic is even hard to find a salon open where I live.,. I'm on my 6th month

It’s not recommended as it increases risk of infection.

Nope don't need to, unless you want to of course.

Course you dont need to shave. I think being completely hairless is a pretty modern concept, years ago it wasnt the done thing. No one cares if you have a bush or not!

Personal choice. 25 years ago few people shaved or waxed, now both men and women are keen on hairlessness. Midwives couldn't care less

Why on earth would you need to shave?

God no. Why would you need to remove it? Leave it be. Maybe a little trim if it helps you feel better but no need for anything more.

Why on earth would you need to shave before giving birth? What a strange question? Why would you think that?

And in answer to your the purpose of about pubic hair. It does serve a purpose of protecting the inner and outer labia from getting sore.

50 years ago most women were made to shave before birth!

You don't need to at all.

If you need to have a c-section they will shave the very top of it off so it isn't in the way of the incision.

Years ago we were all shaved in the hospital.

Honestly don't bother! You won't care and neither will the midwives or anyone else.

I have never shaved my pubic area and managed to give birth to 2 children

I'm coming up towards the end of my pregnancy and my midwife has advised me against shaving/waxing from 38 weeks onwards due to risk of infection if there's any surgery needed!

Good god no. I'm about to push a baby out, the last thing I'd be adding to that mix is shaving rash and stubbly regrowth!

When the time comes, you won't care and neither will anyone else.

Please don’t worry about doing that! I get the sense maybe you’re a bit shy about it (calling it intimate area) the midwives really don’t care!

Absolutely no need to shave and trust me once that baby is coming out of you you won't give two hoots what state it's in hair wise 🤣🤣🤣

You don't need to.
I always shave completely because I can't stand not doing it. I do it daily so it literally only takes a few minutes to go over.
I was able to do it myself until I was 37 weeks. After that my husband helped me. To me the idea of not shaving before wasn't an option. But that's just me personally.
After giving birth I waited as long as I could, about 5 or 6 days. I felt so uncomfortable so I carefully done it, I honestly felt I had to.

Only do it if you want to. I only did it so that if I had to have a C-section I wouldn't need to be shaved by one of my colleagues. Otherwise, nobody seeing you give birth is going to care.

Midwives won't give a jot...I wouldn't/didn't but then I'm all for comfort & wdn't want regrowth itchiness & after giving birth too. Good luck to you & your little baby...see you on the parenting pages soon maybe...

I had a planned section & the guidance document actually said not to shave beforehand as it could increase chances of infection.

I just trim mine quite short every couple of weeks or so, which is my usual routine. I had to get DH to do it for me near the end of my pregnancy hah. That wasn't specifically for birth though just what I'm normally comfortable with. Just stick to whatever you do normally.

There's absolutely no need at all.

Don’t do it!!! I shaved about 10 days before I had my baby and I ended up getting labial grazes - You do not want labial grazes plus stubbly regrowth! It felt like my vulva was on fire for weeks. I spent every available moment in the bath for some relief. (By comparison my stitches were much less painful)

In 1986 I had my first child and was shaved by the nurse, (we also had to have an enema back then!) Thank goodness when I had my last in 2004 they had stopped doing it.