Does it really matter? Unshaved/waxed during birth

[Willow]

I am glad it's not only me who isn't concerned by my own pubic hair. And tbh, I really don't want it all hanging out... the more coverage the better (and trust me I have a lot of coverage!!) LOL.

Tanya, that is a very good point! I have a friend who tells this horror story about having a brazillian done for her IVF transfer (same as birth, you worry for these procedures what your dr, the nurses etc might think) It wasn't until she was laying there in the stirrups with all her glory bared to the world that she thought "why the hell did I do that??!!" She felt completely exposed and self concious.

Another point I like to share on this topic (and we recently talked about it in the PAML thread too!) is that I think from experience it's better not to overdo the shaving/waxing. For my first lap I went and had a wax done (not a brazillian but very minimal). My surgeon obviously misjudged where my public line would normally be and now my scar is above it, rather than hidden by it! Every time I see it now I think IDIOT! WHY did I do that??? So as a precaution, I wouldn't do it. If you did end up having to have a caesar, I think it's best to let them take care of that aspect!

So for me, it might be a general tidy up and trim a few weeks before my due date, but that's it. I agree with Bath, I prefer to look like a woman rather than a girl. Very personal choice though. Also the thought of trying to climb up onto the bed, let alone the waxing itself does not strike me as a pretty picture!!

Sush - I've always been told by beauticians etc that I am not very hairy either - I have no asian genes to thank so not sure what the story is there! Never really had the opportunity to compare either so I'll just take their word for it! LOL!

[Cricket]

Well, I'm not American, but I don't think there's that much difference between our country and theirs. ( and they don't check to see if you're waxed or not when you cross the border. ) When I worked as a nurse in L+D and on the maternity floor, I can't remember seeing any waxed bits! (Of course, I was only there as a student, and didn't get to see piles of ladies, but still, we were there for six weeks. I think that it's not so common to have it done, and certainly a matter of personal choice. I wouldn't worry about what your caregiver is thinking/saying. If they would be gossiping about that, then they certainly need to work on their professionalism! I'm sure they see all kinds, and your bits, "covered" or "uncovered" aren't going to be a shocker to anyone!

[Inanna]

I am a nurse and I have seen far less unwaxed hoo haas than waxed!!!! I would probably notice a manicured or Brazillian one more than a non manicured one!

I loved Coolabahdee's comment! I have NEVER heard anyone comment on pubic hair or lack there of.

It's what makes YOU feel good... I feel good with pubes!

Oh man I made a mistake! I mean I have seen far more unwaxed than waxed hoo haas!!!! Sorry Placenta brain!

[mrsr]

I had to snigger to myself imagining how my nether regions would look after a "blind" shave with a big tummy. It'd be a patchy mess I bet!!!

[totalfrog]

I think I would feel weirder going into the delivery suite with a brazilian than just natural. But then I think it may be the last thing on my mind LOL.

[reneenay]

I watched 'Knocked Up' on the weekend and it showed the baby's head crowning and she had NO HAIR, nothing, ZIP! TBH I was shocked haha, I must live a sheltered life!

And then I found myself wondering if it's the done thing since they showed it in a movie!

[Inanna]

I would imagine it would look quite bizarre!!!! I have never seen a shaved hoo haa give birth (or a brazillian hoo haa!!!). Maybe because it's an American movie???

[Coolabahdee]

PC it was more about this hospital's policy and not wanting to be sued should something go wrong.
FC I have but it makes no difference.

[visitor1]

What do nurses prefer tho?

I know theres alot of people saying do what you want, wat ever makes u comfortable...or they dont mind wat you look like... but wat is prefered

[Yael]

Now i'm worried i'll be looked at like a freak when i rock up to the hospital!

And i hardly want to go into the 'i only do it for my eczema'.. i just pretend we both don't notice these kinds of things.. maybe my obs missed the fact he is looking at my hoo-haa altogether??

[Inanna]

Kimbaz - I think you can be very confident that there is absolutely no preference. If you feel comfortable with a Brazillian than go for it. If you have pubic hair and are comfortable with it than do that.

Nurses/midwives/obs have far more important things to look at other than the grooming of fandangos!!!!

[Willow]

Nurses/midwives/obs have far more important things to look at other than the grooming of fandangos!!!!

Well said Deb!

[Bathsheba]

I'm not sure it's all about what the hospital staff prefer? Wouldn't it be best to do what is right for the individual? If hospital staff prefered I had all my pubic hair removed I would have a huge issue on my hands as I personally associate an absence of hair down their with pre-pubescence and I have a few psychological scars about that time of my life. I've no desire to return to the vulnerable state that is girl-hood. Also, at the end of the day the hair is there for a reason (thanks again for posting that Katkins) and nursing staff/doctors would most likely acknowledge that. I guess we all have our own thoughts on the matter but I just can't get beyond the associations I have with it not being "right" that pre-pubescent hoo-haa's are doing all these sexual things like giving birth. It's a huge shame that some women are feeling pressured into spending time and money and enduring huge ammounts of PAIN to remove their hair. What does it all mean? Is being a woman down there so ugly?

ETA: thanks FC, very comforting

[Inanna]

I agree 200 percent Bath... Sorry if my humour offended anyone...

If I was told I had to remove my pubic hair I too would have huge issues (I too have scars). Not only that though. I am proud of my woman ness. I don't need to remove my pubic hair to feel clean (I personally believe it would be very ouchy to have it waxed off and I personally - and I concede we are all different this is just my opinion... that it's most unattractive. (a bald pubic area that is...) I am a woman and women have pubes. We have boobs, we bleed, we give birth, we make love. It's normal, natural and I am very very comfy with it.

But for those who like the "clean skin" look than that's cool too. I agree though do what YOU want not what you feel that would visually please someone else.

I know if I shaved my pubic hair off my DH would think I needed medication!

[ShootingStar]

Yeh i think the midwives/OB's delivering are gonna see alot worse than pubic hair while down there! And also when you get close to that time, you cant see down there anyways to do a personal job! lol. I had a trim.. lol but that was it.. when the time comes you dont really care, you just want the damn thing out!!

[visitor1]

Im really funny about my region... i hate it.. want it gone..but then i dont want to be exposed and atm.. i think OMG those poor people looking down there....but thats me.. and i should be happy... and theres no way id let DH near me to trim.. cos he'd 'slip' and it would all be gone...

[Bathsheba]

Awww Kimbaz, that's terrible you feel that way... but I'm sure it's quite common it makes me so angry really... that at such a fragile, vulnerable time we women have to feel this way. Grrrrr! And why? Why are we having this debate? Why can't we be focused on the important stuff like having a positive birth at this time??? At least these open discussions are shedding some light on the reality and that's that no one cares either way! Honestly I really think it's just ourselves that are putting us through this needless torture... and if it's our DHs putting pressure on us to look like pre-pubescents/porn stars then i really thinks it's their issue... not ours! I really don't want to offend anyone by that... I also have given consideration to getting rid of it all... I just found myself questioning why. I do shave my legs because they are a more public part of me... but our privates are our privates... and a whole different story I think.

[reneenay]

At my antenatal class last night the midwife told us a little story I thought I would share here.
Earlier in the year the midwife asked a woman who was having a cesarean to shave her pubic hair as she was booked in the next day. The following day they discovered that she completely shaved ALL her public hair including underneath. They midwife said they had a little giggle because it wasn’t necessary at all.