When you give birth...?

Question

Do you shave "down there"? What is good ettiquette for when you are giving birth..or having any doctor "down there" for that matter?

Answer 1

Girlfriend, let me tell you! When you are up on that bed, screaming, pushing, crying, elated, and every other emotion you can think of, nobody and I mean NOBODY is going to care whether you are shaved or bushy. Just make sure you are clean, and that's all that is important. Most doctors and nurses have seen IT ALL! A girlfriend of mine took a massive poop while pushing. She was mortified, but the nurse cleaned it up and the medical staff kept on going. No big deal. I will tell you that most of the items in your "going to the hospital bag" you may not need. I spent $50 on this adorable gown. Well, because you bleed so heavy after your child's birth you really don't want to ruin it with stains. Therefore, I just wore my hospital gown the entire time. The other thing about shaving or waxing (which some ladies do before birth) is that after your child is born (vaginally), you cannot wipe yourself with toilet paper. You will be using what is called a "peri-bottle." You fill it with water and squirt yourself clean. This is also important if you tear and need stitches. I personally like a nice clean landing strip, but again, I didn't care what my funbox looked like while pushing out my 8 lb. daughter. But, if you wish to feel good, maybe go and get your hair fixed really cute, in a ponytail or bun style (because you will undoubtedly sweat it out), and a mani, pedi. Congratulations Mom to Be!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

By the time you are ready to give birth and are 9 months pregnant, you can barely reach "down there", let alone safely shave. If you are really that concerned, waxing is always an option, although painful I have heard. Shaving is going to be awfully uncomfortable when it grows back in, and believe me, by that time, you are ready to get that baby out -- ettiquette is just not at the top of the priority list. And, the doctors have seen it all and then some -- so don't worry. By the time this is all over, there is no modesty left, and you won't be able to take your eyes and mind off of your new little joy! Best of luck! By the way, I had C-sections, and the nurses took care of shaving just a bit near the incision line.

Answer 3

Ettiquette? Ha. when you're in labor, there are words coming out of your mouth that you never thought you'd hear, and you're body is doing things that no one wants to hear about. Unless you normally shave, don't worry about it, it's soo hard to reach by the last months of your pregnancy that even if it's an everyday thing it's close to impossible. If anything needs to be shaved, then the doctor or nurses can do it, but i didn't think that they did that anymore anyway. Don't worry about anything else, after your water breaks, there's almost constant fluid coming out anyway. Normally though, for "down there" appointments, just make sure you're clean. no need to douche or anything just a regular soap-and-water cleaning will do. hope this helps. email me if u have any other questions about giving birth i'm an open book. Hahaha

Answer 4

Hehe, the last thing you're gonna be worrying about when you give birth is how it looks down there, but I'd shave just to make sure that everything goes smoothly and you don't have hairs pulled on top of squeezing a little one out. Just keep it clean with good antibacterial soap and water.

Answer 5

You will be going to the doctor frequently during your pregnancy. The only thing you have to do for those appointments is just be clean, neat and reasonably fresh. As for the birth, don't worry, they will shave you before it happens. By that time you will have lost a lot of inhibitions, but it will be fine. During the birth process, etiquette will go right out the window.

Answer 6

When I gave birth vaginally, I did nothing and the doctors did nothing...no shaving, no enemas. When I had my second baby via c-section, they shaved me, but it was just the top inch or so of my hairline. They do it to keep hair out of your incision and keep the area clean after they wash you with betadine.

Honestly, your ob or midwife has seen EVERYTHING. You could be growing the amazon rain forest down below and it wouldn't phase them in the least. :) They're not there to check out your Brazilian bikini wax...they're there to deliver your baby! When your labor starts and you're really into it (contracting hard, ready to push, etc.) your pubic hair will be the last thing on your mind...trust me. Doctors and nurses also wear masks. I'm sure every doctor has been pooped on, peed on, sprayed with amniotic fluid...you name it. Nothing phases them. :)

If you're truly concerned (and you have time) you can shower before you go to the hospital, but it's really not necessary.

Answer 7

I think the idea of having to shave down there is demeaning to the woman. They used to do it but it's not done now. You will be in labor and by that point you probably won't give a rat's **** about what the doctor thinks (really, it consumes you). You just be your big, beautiful, birthing mama self, and let them handle anything they don't like.

Answer 8

You dont have to shave anything. They have seen everything in giving birth and doubt they care if you have hair down there or not. I doubt there is any good "etiquette" for giving birth. I was in too much pain to give a damn what they thought of what I looked like "down there". I just wanted my daughter out, and they just wanted me to give birth without complications.

Answer 9

ha!! vanity question! i waxed. during both of my two kids and the pregnancy now. One, it's smoother. second, someone else does it so you have no worries about not being able to reach. third, it feels so much cleaner and doesn't itch when it grows out.

after you have the baby, it grows back slowly so when you are expelling all the afterbirth weeks later, it doesn't smell as bad. Especially since you have a newborn to take care of and might not get to take a shower everyday. If you really can't stand waxing, use a diplitory cream and make your hubby help.

and don't worry about finding a salon for waxing, they have seen anything and everything. My own esthitician (sp) waxes men's balls as well. so don't be embarrased.

Answer 10

I agree - - they do it for you - but to me much more comfortable to get it done with at home and not have that as one more humiliating stage with your legs flung up - and they don't shave all (if memory stands correctly for me - but it has been almost 13 years)
One good thing - once your in labor you do seem to lose any natural modesty that you may have and you get to the point that you almost don't really care who parades in and out while in labor - its kind of like that part of your brain that also helps you forget how bad the pain was after the delivery and after you are holding your baby..