Don't shave your stomach or pubic area If hair removal is necessary, your nurse will take care of it with clippers in the hospital on the day of your C-section.
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.) Any hair that might get in the way of the incision is clipped.
By following a few simple steps, you can help prevent an infection before, during and after your C-section. DO NOT shave, wax or use cream to remove the hair on your lower stomach or pubic area for 1 week before your C-section. Hair removal uncovers more bacteria on your skin.
There are other hair removal methods you can try at home if you're uncomfortable with the thought of being shaved at the hospital. These methods include waxing and sugaring, electric shavers, and hair removal creams. You may use these methods to remove hair on your pubic region.
For either a vaginal or Caesarean birth, do not shave or wax your abdomen or pubic area for 7 days before your due date or the date of your Caesarean section. Shaving or waxing before you deliver may increase your risk of infection.
Don't shave your pubic hair within 24 hours of your C-section. This can increase the risk of a surgical site infection. If your pubic hair needs to be removed, it will be trimmed by the surgical staff just before surgery. At the hospital.
The Night Before Your C-section
Try to get a good night's sleep. You may brush your teeth in the morning. Check with your doctor if you are taking any medication. Take a shower before coming to the hospital.
removing hair with clippers and cream may make little to no difference to the number of infections; Clippers and hair removal cream probably cause fewer infections than shaving using a razor. Removing hair on the day of, rather than the day before surgery may slightly reduce the number of infections.
In a video that has more than 3.7 million views on TikTok, Grant Buechner, who is also a registered nurse and lactation consultant, explains that grooming is not recommended beyond 36 weeks gestation. “Shaving pubic hair can INCREASE risk of infection at the time of birth, even with Cesarean birth,” she wrote.
The night before your surgery, shower or bathe, using normal preferred temperature. Start each shower or bath by washing your hair as usual with shampoo. Rinse your hair and body thoroughly to remove the shampoo residue.
Returning to Physical Activities After a C-Section
It's important to get out of bed and walk around within 24 hours after surgery.
Your first shower can be 24 hours after surgery. You can take a bath, too, but it may be too difficult getting in and out of the tub for the first 2-3 weeks.
It is important that your stomach is empty. You may brush your teeth, but do not swallow any toothpaste. Your operation will be cancelled and re-scheduled if you eat food or drink fluids other than those listed.
Shaving too soon before the procedure allows for bacteria to remain in the surgical area. CDC guidelines also suggest that patients shower or bathe using soap or antiseptic agent at least on the night before surgery. Your surgeon will prep the area before surgery as well.
If you plan on having a caesarean, most hospitals don't allow you to wear bobby pins. You will want to choose a style that doesn't require any. You will also have to wear a hair net, so keep that in mind too!
The reason for this is it increases your risk of an infection especially if you have an operative procedure like a Caesarean section. Shaving and waxing cause micro-abrasions on the skin's surface which can become infected – definitely not something you want to be worrying about if you're about to have a baby.
Shaving down there before delivery can actually increase the risk of infection at the time of birth. This is because shaving causes micro abrasions which opens up the skin, allowing for possible infection. Some women prefer to keep things smooth down there, whereas others keep it natural.
As long as the baby can come out, we don't care if you're full bush, bald as a baby, or something exciting like a lightening bolt/vajazzled." The midwife wrote that she doesn't "even notice" what women's pubic hair looks like anymore, and "it doesn't affect stitches or anything to do with our work."
Clipping immediately before surgery (rather than shaving) will likely have an even lower incidence of surgical site infection than shaving. Clipping of some hair-bearing areas should be avoided (such as the eyebrows), while other areas (such as the pubic regions) are very commonly clipped.
Before a surgical intervention, it is common to remove hair from the area of the body that is going to have surgery. Hair can be removed using different methods, including clippers, a razor, or hair removal cream.
Routine shaving should be stopped at least two days before your surgery on all areas of your body, including the legs and underarms. This is to prevent any skin irritation which could lead to an infection.
For a planned C-section, you may have a choice of anesthetic, although you should be aware that a spinal block or epidural are generally considered the safest options for both you and your baby. In an emergency or when bleeding occurs, general anesthesia may be necessary.
Cesarean deliveries with no trial of labor were much more concentrated during the day, especially around 8 a.m. "This makes sense, as C-sections are usually scheduled during the daytime hours and wouldn't be scheduled overnight or into the early hours of the morning," says Jennifer Wu, MD, obstetrician/gynecologist at ...
Restrict solid foods for eight hours before the C-section
However, we recognize that that's a long time to go without food or drink, particularly for something as physically and emotionally taxing as childbirth and recovery. Patients today can drink clear liquids, including juice and sports drinks, prior to surgery.