Shaving pubic hair in the early stages of labour is a standard procedure in most hospitals in India. It is done for both normal deliveries and c-sections. It is thought that shaving the pubic hair makes birth more hygienic and reduces the chances of infection.
Pubic or perineal shaving is a procedure performed before birth in order to lessen the risk of infection if there is a spontaneous perineal tear or if an episiotomy is performed.
When should pregnant women stop shaving? There is plenty of guidance provided online and by nurses that suggests that pregnant women shouldn't shave beyond 36 weeks gestation. This is because shaving pubic hair can increase the risk of infections during labour.
It's no longer standard procedure to shave pubic hair, because it could permit unwanted bacteria into the body. (Nor should you shave or wax your own bikini area or abdomen right before a scheduled C-section, also due to the infection risk.)
If you've heard the exact opposite—that you should shave before labour—that's understandable because it used to be the recommendation. In fact, hospitals used to shave your pubic hair for you—and in some areas, they still do.
Hair is removed to avoid problems during and after surgery, for example when stitching up wounds or applying dressings. However, some studies claim that removing hair could cause infections after surgery and should be avoided.
In previous years, traditional childbirth recommended hair removal on the pubic area before delivery. However, modern childbirth finds that it's not necessary to shave your pubic hair before delivery. Clinical research shows that shaving or not shaving pubic hair doesn't necessarily affect birth.
It is generally considered to be safe to get a Brazilian wax while pregnant. While your skin may be more sensitive, and you should always tell your technician that you are pregnant, even if you think it's obvious, there is no medical reason to avoid a Brazilian.
Never mind that the Royal College of Midwives has repeatedly stated that there is no need to do so, that no health professional will even notice and that pubic hair will have absolutely no effect on your baby's health. If you need a C-section, they will shave whatever needs to be shaved.
“Routine perineal/pubic shaving prior to giving vaginal birth is not recommended,” they say, the concern being for nicks and scrapes potentially being a trigger for infection. They also make it clear that whilst the situation for C-sections is different, it's ultimately a woman's choice.
Shaving pubic hair in the early stages of labour is a standard procedure in most hospitals in India. It is done for both normal deliveries and c-sections. It is thought that shaving the pubic hair makes birth more hygienic and reduces the chances of infection.
So whether you like a close shave, a simple trim, or going au naturale, just keep doing you. The same goes for other parts of your body too. Unless you want to, you don't need to shave your legs, armpits, or anywhere else before your gynecologist appointment (or ever!).
The Royal College of Midwives will tell you that no midwife would tell or expect a pregnant woman to shave or wax her pubic hair before turning up in the labour ward. If you want to, that's fine; if you don't, that's also fine.
Is it safe to get a Brazilian wax during pregnancy? Barring any sensitive skin issues you might have, it's generally considered safe for pregnant women to get waxed during pregnancy.
Waxing is a safe way to remove body hair, but it may not be the best thing for your skin while you're pregnant. Your skin is likely to be more sensitive, especially on your belly and legs. Hormonal changes in your body make your skin more itchy and prone to irritation.
Cool the area with an ice pack, or place a chilled witch hazel pad between a sanitary napkin and the area between your vaginal opening and anus (perineum). Use a squeeze bottle to pour warm water over the perineum as you're passing urine.
Braided styles provide a lot of options for expectant mothers. Weaving hair into a side braid or French braid, or adding hair extensions to create cornrows, microbraids or box braids, are cute styles that will take moms through labor, delivery and beyond.
The decision to cut your hair or go in for trimming before your baby is born is personal, and there is no right or wrong answer. Some new mothers cut their hair for practical reasons, such as to make it easier to care for and manage, while others prefer to keep their hair long for emotional reasons.
The surgical journal Spine published a study that noted that infections were more likely in patients who shaved prior to surgery than patients who were not shaved.
Smooth skin may make it easier for surgeons to make incisions cleanly and precisely. In fact, it's customary for surgeons to shave some patients before they perform surgery.
Removing the garments before surgery means the patient can put those clean undies on when they wake up. We usually still have patients lie on an absorbent towel/pad, just in case. Undies or no, the nurses in the OR are going to make sure the skin is cleaned before the patient wakes up.
An anonymous midwife gave all of the hairy details and the truth is, they don't care at all. As long as the baby can come out and they can safely put in stitches, she wrote, "we don't care if you're full bush, bald as a baby, or something exciting like a lightening bolt/vajazzled. I don't even notice any more."
Post delivery, women are made to cover their head with scarf the whole day as a part of North Indian tradition. It is believed that body heat is lost primarily through one's head and that a new mother needs to preserve her body heat to recover.