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February 2011 Moms
How much to primp for delivery room? (come in if you have an "outside" baby)
DH and I are wondering about this, based sort of on the "people treat you the way you're dressed" philosophy. We are planning a drug-free birth (which we know nurses hate), and have some other pretty strict stuff in our birth plan (ie, no family but us in delivery room, which I'd bet my last dime will take hospital security to enforce). Despite the fact that we won't be making any friends, we want to be taken seriously by hospital personnel. The girls I know who are nurses and NPs are some of the cattiest women ever!
That said, I haven't seen my crotch or toes in months and I'm sure both look heinous. Did those of you who have already given birth, shave your legs/vag (daily routine for me when not pg) or get a pedicure before going into the delivery room? I would much rather *not* have to ask DH to help me shave (yeah, I know my vag is obviously nothing he hasn't seen before) or spend $$ to pamper myself when I SAH and we have a baby on the way.
WDYT? Suck it up and get this stuff done? Or can you still be taken seriously if you don't look perfectly groomed?
Mom to a beautiful boy and girl!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: How much to primp for delivery room? (come in if you have an "outside" baby)
I am a nurse and I would never judge! But I've seen some really gross stuff and I guess I'n not the catty type. Just do what makes you feel comfortable. I had DH paint my toenails and I shaved my lady parts before my last delivery but honestly it was the last thing on my mind come labor time
I worked as a CNA and I'd have to agree. As long as you're not "gross" (meaning you stink), no one will notice. There's a chance I'll be induced on Friday and if I can find the time tomorrow without having to break my neck or anything, I'm going to groom myself just enough to feel presentable, but if I don't make it to it I'm not going to worry about it.
Also a nurse, also don't care how well groomed people are. Why do you think the nurses won't treat you well if you don't want drugs? Just curious. The most important thing you can do to gain respect from the staff is be polite.... a little goes a long way.
ETA: That all said, I still shave my legs/vag regularly and got a pedicure last week,. I just feel icky without those things done.
i totally kept up with my legs and did my best to keep the lady bits somewhat maintained. I also got a pedicure the day before I went into labor with my son (my water broke). I have heard about from a friend who is a NICU nurse and how she had her H shave her b/c she knows the nurses talk about it.
Also- I will never forget- and am still embarrassed- I took a shower when labor started, then I paced around and walked out in our courtyard. I guess the bottom of my feet got dirty- b/c no joke, when I was at the pushing point, I clearly remember my OB making a comment about how I must have been walking and I was HUMILIATED about the bottom of my feet. no joke. I have socks on my list this time to make sure I wear during L&D so I don't get neurotically paranoid
Proud mama to a boys- 6/17/09 - a girl 2/23/11- and a boy 8/20/12
I'm sorry...this is funny to me. I'm sure it will be funny to you one day, too. It totally sounds like something my OB would joke me about too. There are worse parts to leave dirty during L&D than your feet...
Aren't nurses educated professionals? This, to me, sounds totally trashy and ignorant. Nurses would talk about about a women negatively when she's in an incredibly vulnerable state like that? Sounds like those nurses don't have enough to do. Cut the staff and make them actually work. Sheesh.
I actually went for a mani/pedi plus had my eyebrows done while i was having contractions but i was also a week early and this was an already planned appointment. I was not going to go all out. My legs were shaved only because of the pedi appt. Nothiing else was trimmed or primped and honestly I couldn't give a shyt what I looked like. When in pain all that mattered was the pain, after DS was born all I cared about was holding him, I didn't even stop to fix my ponytail while family took pictures.
I was not treated any different because I didn't look perfectly groomed. H was in a beat up work sweatshirt since he basically came to my mom's straight from work and didn't have any other clothes with him.
I don't think that primping is necessary. You're not applying for a job, rather bring a life into this world.
I have shaved, DH held the hand mirror for me, but that was more for me that Drs or nurses. I was getting itchy since I had stayed up on it with DHs help holding a mirror. As far as pedi goes, I clipped my own and removed the polish my mother forced on me when visited at Christmas.
I definately wouldn't pay for it just because you are worried about what the hospital staff would/would not notice. I think something like that should be done for you and a little pampering IMO.
thanks ladies! seems i must hang out with snobs.
steenie - the reason is, the hospital birthing classes, and even the nurses at the hospital themselves admit that their job is easier if you take the drugs (labor augmentation = bed freed faster and less time coaching; pain meds = less listening to you scream and youre in a better mood) and to please "Just stay at home as long as possible if you want a 'natural' birth." my state and metro area have pretty high intervention rates, and people generally are upset by those who dont conform.
personally, i dont see it as my "job" to do anything but give birth, but if there were appearance expectations, id wanna know!
sorry for the format, posting from my iphone. :-P
I really don't think you are going to be treated differently based on whether or not you have shaved. Actually, I might think if you are too decked out they won't take you seriously and just assume you are going to be an annoying, high maintenance patient.
That being said, I did shave and wash/blow dry my hair the night before my induction. But I did it for me knowing that it would likely be several days before I could do it again, And I was glad I did because I still looked great after the birth (not to brag, but my mom kept commenting on how I didn't look like I just gave birth) and it just made me feel better.
My Chart My Nest Bio
I don't know if this matters or not, but I am having a c-section. My doctor took my hands and put my fingers right where he was going to cut and told me NOT to shave there at least 2 weeks prior to my scheduled date. I was also given a prep pack that I am supposed to use the night before and morning of. There are instructions with the prep pack that say everything from showering and preparing my abdominal area to changing the bed sheets. It's very detailed and comes with sterile wipes and stuff like that to use.
There really wasnt anything on the instructions that I wasnt going to do but I was just surprised that they had it all written out in an instructional format. I did plan to shave so good thing my doc said not to. I still plan to shave everywhere else though. I also got a pedicure. Not because of what I thought the people at the hospital would say, but mainly because I wasn't sure when I would be able to get one after LO arrives. I did my own nails because I wanted them filed and shaped but not polished. Everything that I have done/will do are things I normally do. So it's more for me than anyone else.
I say do what makes you feel good. Nothing wrong with pampering or primping. But if you are doing it for hospital staff then I doubt it would even matter as much as you think.