When you are in labor that if you aren't shaved "down there". That the doctors will laugh and you and have to do it themselves? My friend told me this. I really don't believe her she was pregnant and had a miscarriage but never actually went through child birth.
2007-10-09 16:17:05 · 34 answers · asked by Wendie 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
No, they quit shaving people 'down there' about 30 years ago.
It originally started because so many people had pubic lice
[ along with hair and body lice ] down there, because of lack of sanitary facilities [ baths/showers ] and infrequently washed clothes.
Doctors got annoyed when louses jumped off patients, onto
the doc.
2007-10-09 16:29:53 · answer #1 · answered by Nurse Susan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The doctors won't laugh. The doctors won't shave you unless you are having a c-section. They used to shave women back in the day, but now they realize that shaving makes tiny cuts and leaves you wide open for infection.
If you are worried about it, you could get one of those $10 touch up trimmers from the drug store and trim the hair down very short. I wouldn't actually take a blade to that area once labor starts. Plus, you can't see down there, so how do you know you aren't about to cut yourself?
2007-10-09 16:21:39 · answer #2 · answered by Alyssa and Chloe's Mommy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not up to the hospital, it's up to the individual Doctors as to whether they want you shaved or not.
I have had 5 births. The first Lamaze class that I went to, they told me that I had to be shaved as part of the prep and that the shaving would happen at the hospital. Well it never happened. I kept wondering when they were going to do it, but they never did.
I was never shaved until my 4th child. The Doctor was very old fashioned and he made the nurse shave me and give me an enema too. That was also a first, but again, in that first Lamaze class, they told me to expect that too.
It's better to be shaved and have the enema, but it depends on the circumstances of the birth (if the baby's coming quickly) and the Dr.
2007-10-09 16:24:24 · answer #3 · answered by J9 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Years ago they use to make you shave down there because they thought that the hair would keep in germs and viruses and they could be passed on to your baby and make them sick. Later after years of studying they found out that the hair actually keeps germs and viruses down so it is actually healthier for you and the baby to keep it. Now days it's pretty much up to you whether you want to shave or not before labor. They don't make it manditory anymore though.
2007-10-09 16:22:41 · answer #4 · answered by b1alto 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A doctor laugh at you for not shaving your pubic area? Give me a break. And besides, shaving there for childbirth is like from the 50's. They don't do that anymore. Sounds like she's making stuff up for some reason.
2007-10-09 16:20:18 · answer #5 · answered by boo kitty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heavens no, you don't have to do that, the nurses do that for you. Of course that was decades ago. lol In fact with my first child I went into labor on a Monday and he was born on a Friday!!! The nurses shaved me and then since it had been so many days it started to grow back and the nurses said they would have to shave me again because the doctors will notice. lol Honestly this is a true story. I would suspect that it depends on the hospital policy. I would imagine that it would be done especially when they were going to have to do an episiotomy. It would make for a clearer area to put in stitches.
2007-10-09 16:19:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
that is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Any doctor is a professional and wouldn't "laugh" at a patient, especially not for something so stupid. You don't have to be shaved down there anymore. They used to do that but they don't anymore. Your friend is seriously mistaken.
2007-10-09 16:20:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. That is ridiculous! I don't know any doctor that would be that unprofessional.
Most likely the Labor and Delivery Nurse will shave you, before the doctor even examines you. It won't be an embarrassing procedure.
Some doctors don't even request that their patients be shaven anymore.
2007-10-09 16:25:23 · answer #8 · answered by conim2002 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No that is generally not true. What you have down there is your business and your business only. My mom is an RN in a labor and delivery unit and I've never heard anything like this going on.
2007-10-09 16:19:26 · answer #9 · answered by skuuuuur 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not true at all. You can have never shaved before or always shave it doesn't matter. They won't laugh at you.
Though it is easier for them if you trim it or whatnot, but that can be hard to do when you're 9 months pregnant. Don't worry about it. They're concerned with making sure your baby is safe and healthy, not how much pubic hair you have
This So deserves 10pts ;)
2007-10-09 16:19:46 · answer #10 · answered by Ashley 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋