“Shaving pubic hair can INCREASE risk of infection at the time of birth, even with Cesarean birth,” she wrote. “Leave the bush alone.” Dr.
Follow these instructions before surgery:
Do not shave your abdomen, pubic area, or upper thighs for at least 1 week before your c-section. Take off all jewelry.
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.
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.
“Randomized control trials have shown no decrease in infections with hair removal and, in fact, have shown a slight increase with shaving compared to clipping or waxing before procedures. Hospital infection control doesn't recommend [shaving] at this time.”
Tweezing, shaving, waxing, and depilatory creams are all suitable options for hair removal during pregnancy, as long as the warnings and directions for use on the products you choose are followed. It is recommended that before waxing or using depilatory creams you seek medical advice.
Your midwife may ask you to stop shaving or waxing your bikini area a few days before your c-section. This is to reduce the risk of your c-section wound becoming infected. This may vary from hospital to hospital, so speak to your midwife about how to prepare your skin before the operation.
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.
Before your Caesarean section
Shaving of pubic hair has been shown to increase wound infections after Caesarean sections. We would therefore ask you to avoid shaving for at least one week before your operation. Wax or hair removal creams are safe alternatives.
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.
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.
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."
Returning to Physical Activities After a C-Section
It's important to get out of bed and walk around within 24 hours after surgery.
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.
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.
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. It can increase the chance of infections.
You need to stop shaving or waxing your pubic area or bikini line at least 1 week before your caesarean birth. This reduces the chance of infection.
Overall, the better choice of the two methods is totally up to you and your personal preference. For some, the pain of waxing is enough to put up with all the tedious parts of shaving. For others, the idea of shaving every day is much too high-maintenance. There is no better or worse process—only what's right for you.
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. But, they added, there's no reason to tidy up down there just for them.
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 first 60 minutes after birth—often called “the Golden Hour”—is a magical period rife with bonding opportunities for mama and baby. Many mamas are able to experience this intensely wonderful first hour immediately following that final push or once the doctors have safely removed baby via C-section.