Preparing for a c section

[Sw1234]

Embarrassed to be asking this 😳 but what prep did you do for a planned c section down there eg waxing/razor? I don't know whether to book a bikini wax but it's been about 10 years since I've been for one and feeling quite anxious about it all 😱 I'm nearly 31 weeks pregnant

[Hidden]

To be honest by the time you get to the date it will be impossible to shave properly anyway. I contemplated a wax but in the end didn’t bother doing anything apart from tidying up a bit as they butchered it with a razor how they wanted it anyway! X

[PenguinBlue]

hi, I get regular Hollywood waxes and in my first pregnancy had one at 37 weeks in case I went into labour Early. For this pregnancy, I’ll be having an elective section and planning to do the same again. It’s quick and means you don’t need to worry about what’s going on down there before your section - it also helps me with ingrown hairs so hoping it will help when it regrows after the scar starts to heal 🤞🏽

[Sw1234 in reply to PenguinBlue]

Thank you 😊 I've not been waxed for years! For my last birth it was a general anaesthetic so I was unaware of what they had to do to prep more but as this ones planned feel I have to have it all prepped!

[McQueeny]

I get waxed regularly, and so did the same at around 37 weeks last time before my c section - but if that’s not your normal routine I wouldn’t worry about it, they don’t really care and if they need to shave anything I’m sure they will - they’ve seen it all 🤪 x

[Peony85]

I ended up getting a wax although couldn’t cope with doing a full Hollywood as I usually would given higher pain sensitivity so I asked them to do a modified one that basically was a bikini wax + went far enough down that it would give enough clearance for the incision and the dressing. I was originally planning on shaving but my midwife actually recommended a wax as ingrown hairs and stubble can be more painful for the dressing coming off.

[Sw1234 in reply to Peony85]

Thank you. Going for a bikini wax tomorrow and got another one booked in before c section and this sounds like a good idea to see if they can keep going further for the incision. I hope I am prepared for the pain 😅

[MissSaoPaulo]

I used to wax pretty regularly and had a wax at 37 weeks thinking that would see my through - then my little girl stayed put until 41 weeks!! Don't stress about it, I don't think they care xxx

[JuicyLu]

they specifically told me not to shave before. They do it themselves in the op but I think they don’t want you to do it to minimise infection. I really wouldn’t worry - honesty they’ve seen it all and won’t be bothered in the least about hair! 😁x

[Habibi87 in reply to JuicyLu]

I had exactly the same instructions!

[JoyfulStar]

I think whatever you do, wax or shave just give a week before you have the surgery to allow your skin to bounce back. I think I used an electric razor my husband uses to give me a very close shave and that was it.

[BettyBe]

Hi Sw1234,

I’ve had 2 c-sections at different hospitals and both told me not to shave or wax before operation as they will shave the area on the day to reduce the risk of infection on incision site. Hope this helps? Good luck with it all 🌺

[flamingopher]

As a nurse who has been involved in countless elective and emergency c sections and seen many, many people’s private parts, I will give you this advice: WE DO NOT CARE! Do what you need to feel comfortable, but all the team cares about is you and your little one being healthy and well looked after. As others have said, if you’re going to shave or wax don’t do it too close to your planned date.

Good luck with your section!

[Sw1234 in reply to flamingopher]

Thank you. That's really helped

[Positivechangeplease]

Zero. I don’t care what anyone thinks, in the end I had an emergency c section after thinking I’d be having a home birth so I hadn’t done any prep down there. I was so big I couldn’t have seen down there anyway. I read that midwives really don’t care - so it’s whatever your preference is. I’m not sure I’d wax given how painful it can be with baby inside. But it’s whatever makes you feel comfortable. All I’d say is do what you feel comfortable but try not to stress about it

[Chiefy]

I was told not to shave or wax too close to the date as it could have meant there were tiny openings in the skin and so there was an infection risk. I used hair removal cream on the top of the area 2 days before.

[ki50]

I didn't do anything ... I really didn't care by that point as there's no dignity left anyway lol

[Jay0]

I was told not to do anything 7 days before and they’ll do what’s needed. I just found it funny when I heard the clippers came out! The only thing I would say is recovering after and the growth back with shaving is rather interesting and the glue from the dressing took ages to come off. Told to use olive oil for that!

[Sw1234]

Been for a wax today and the lady was lovely. Wasn't as scary as I thought. Have another one booked for 3 weeks before c section date. Feel less embarrassed now for people seeing me