“Shaving pubic hair can INCREASE risk of infection at the time of birth, even with Cesarean birth,” she wrote. “Leave the bush alone.”
But medical advice advances with research. “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.”
A bikini wax might be painful for some people during pregnancy as your body is extra sensitive. If badly done, it may leave open pores or cause allergic reactions and infection. Hence many LMCs will advise against waxing closer to your estimated due date.
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.
We've heard that some OBGYNs will advise against shaving or waxing down there for at least 30 days before your due date to avoid the risk of infection. Others have no issue with it, kind of like the whole solids vs. clear liquids during labor debacle. It all depends on your doctor.
If you're looking for safe hair-removal methods, waxing is fine during pregnancy. There are some things you'll want to keep in mind, though. Because of an increase in blood flow to your skin – and your pubic area – your skin may be more sensitive and waxing may be more painful than usual during pregnancy.
Shaving might be done if the pubic hair is interfering with a surgical incision. Your doctor might need a clearer view of where to perform a perfect incision without causing any injury to you. C-section. If you might be scheduled for a C-section, your nurse might shave off your pubic hair on a selected area.
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.
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."
An electric shaver will make work easy for you and can be used throughout the pregnancy. Make sure to clean and disinfect the blades before shaving to avoid any infection. Shaving is safe and can be done at any time, even a few hours to delivery.
Waxing and sugaring — where a heated sugar mixture is spread on the skin and then lifted off to remove hair — both provide a longer-term solution to unwanted hair and are generally fine if pregnancy hasn't made your skin too sensitive.
Before giving birth, you can trim your pubic hair with scissors in case your private area is too dense. Experts say that the time for mothers to shave or wax themselves is 7 days before the time of delivery - regardless of whether it is a vaginal birth or a cesarean section.
So will that Brazilian induce labor? Probably not. “There are no proven non-medical ways for inducing labor naturally," New York midwife Elizabeth Stein, CNM, told WebMD. But there are still some potential risks and benefits of keeping your standing appointment with the wax technician in the latter stages of pregnancy.
During delivery, many women tear vaginally and need stitches. Any hair waxing close to delivery can mean more pain “down there” overall. It's better to forego any kind of vaginal-area waxing within the last month of pregnancy.
Pregnant clients cannot lie on their stomach and never position the client flat on the bed. I suggest a 40-degree angle instead. Make sure the client is feeling comfortable in the hip area. During the treatment check if the client needs a break or to adjust their position.
Our endogenous oxytocin floods our brain, infusing our pleasure and reward center, providing pain relief, helping us to do the work required in labour, and intensifies labour sensations so that it is efficient. One of the main ways to support oxytocin release is with touch – loving, non-clinical touch is optimal.
You may shower, bathe or wash your hair at any time after the birth of your baby. During your first six weeks, avoid strenuous work. You may choose to limit visits with family and friends during the first two weeks, as it may cause undue fatigue for you and could also be detrimental to your baby's health.
Avoid foods that can give you heartburn and eating too close to bedtime. Get a little safe exercise in during the day. If you nap, do it early in the day. Make your room a comfortable temperature; many experts recommend turning the temperature down for sleep.
Do not shave your abdomen, pubic area, or upper thighs for at least 1 week before your induction. Take off all jewelry. Eat and drink before coming to the hospital unless you are told not to. Eat something light, such as fruit, yogurt, or cereal.
Barring any sensitive skin issues you might have, it's generally considered safe for pregnant women to get waxed during pregnancy. Thanks to your hormones, your hair is probably growing at a much faster rate now, which means you might find yourself more fixated on hair removal than ever before.
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.
Some women feel pressure to ensure that everything is perfect before they go. The truth is that your doctor and their staff do not care if you are clean-shaven or not. They are medical professionals. They know that hair growth is natural and normal.
You do not need to shave before a gynecologist appointment (or any doctor's appointment!). Your doctor doesn't care how you care for your pubic hair, because it isn't a health or hygiene concern. They've seen it all, and how you style (or don't style) your pubic hair probably won't even register.