Show Most mothers are often confused about whether pubic hair shaving when pregnant or before delivery is necessary. However, if not done beforehand, you may undergo perineal hair shaving while you are prepped for delivery. This may cause some mothers to feel uncomfortable, more so because of the stress of the delivery. This article discusses why pubic hair is shaved before delivery, how it should be done, and its benefits and risks. Why Is Pubic Hair Shaved Before Delivery?In many hospitals, it is a practice to get pregnant women shave their pubic hair before delivery. Here are the reasons why it is done (1):
Sometimes, the nurse or a helper at the hospital does the job for you but it could be embarrassing to get it done by a stranger. If you want to be clean-shaven for your labor, then you may want to get it done in advance. When Should You Shave?Experts say that you should not shave or wax seven days before your scheduled delivery – be it a normal or Cesarean. This is primarily to avoid infections on the little cuts in your skin, which could attract bacteria (2). Shaving pubic hair has been a highly debatable topic. While a number of hospitals advice mothers-to-be to shave, researchers are against it. You may make an informed decision after weighing the pros and cons of pubic shaving. What Are The Benefits And Risks Of Shaving Pubic Hair During Pregnancy?This information might help you decide whether or not to shave your pubic hair: Benefits:
Risks:
If you are still unable to decide on what to do with your pubic hair, then seek help to clear your concerns. Concerned about shaving pubic hair before delivery?Do this:
Here are various ways you can shave your pubic hair:
Important Tips To RememberIf you are removing the pubic hair by yourself:
If a nurse is shaving your pubic hair just before your delivery, then here is what you can do to avoid any anxiety:
1. Does body hair go away after pregnancy? Due to the increase in estrogen levels during pregnancy, there is an observed increase in the growth and thickness of body hair. But postpartum, these hormone levels return to normal, and so does the hair growth (3). 2. Is it OK to shave before giving birth? Minimal research highlights the benefits of perineal shaving before giving birth (4). Therefore, it is a personal choice that you need to make, keeping the risks and benefits in mind. Shaving your pubic hair is a matter of personal preference. Note that there are pros and cons associated with shaving when pregnant. For example, a shaved vagina offers a few benefits to the gynecologist during delivery and reduces the risk of infection. However, a few women might feel uncomfortable seeking others’ help to shave, and there may be an increased risk of cuts. Hence, if you are unsure what to do, discuss your choices with your medical practitioner. Consider both pros and cons and make an informed decision.
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Angela Grant Buechner, a doula in Toronto, doesn’t beat around the bush when pregnant women ask for her thoughts on shaving down there. “Just don’t,” Grant Buechner told TODAY Parents. In a video that has more than 3.7 million views on TikTok, Grant Buechner, who is also a registered nurse and lactation consultant, explains that grooming is not recommended beyond 36 weeks gestation. “Shaving pubic hair can INCREASE risk of infection at the time of birth, even with Cesarean birth,” she wrote. “Leave the bush alone.” Dr. Kate White, an associate professor of OB/GYN at the Boston University School of Medicine, is delighted that Grant Buechner’s PSA is going viral. She advises all pregnant patients to put down the razor. ”Research and medical studies have shown that there is no benefit to shaving — only clear risks,” White told TODAY Parents. "It's true that for decades, women were shaved in the hospital before delivery — but they were also given enemas, twilight sleep and sometimes strapped to the bed. Thankfully, science has progressed and we know a lot more now." White noted that shaving with razors creates small nicks in the skin, which can promote infection after delivery. Other risks include folliculitis, which White describes as “angry red bumps,” ingrown hairs, and cellulitis, a potentially life-threatening bacterial skin condition. “With Cesarean section — about a third of women will end up having one — shaving has been shown to increase the risk of infection,” she said. “Recovery from C-section is hard enough. You don’t need to add an infection on top of it.” White, who is the author of the upcoming book “Your Guide to Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss,” stressed that doctors are not judging your grooming habits. “I can promise you that your provider is not looking at anything related to your hair because they are totally focused on your cervix and the baby coming down on your vagina,” she said. Related Video: |