Embarrassing Questions that need embarrassing Answers

NickandJess7 · February 2012

My pregnancy has come with a boat load of newly embarrassing "problems". For example, extreme weight gain on my knees, stretch marks, faster growing hair, unintentional bladder leakage (like when I sneeze). Not to mention my fashion sense has gone completely out the window due to just fitting into mostly sweats and pajamas. With all of this messiness I do my best to still look and feel the best that I can. I read an article on the main page earlier that was about getting glammed up for the delivery room and it just reminded me of the one question I always wonder about every time the doctor gets ready to have me spread em'. Yes, this is such an embarrassing question and I would much rather ask one hundred women I only know over the internet than ask my obgyn face to face, so ladies, is it crucial to groom your VIP section for your delivery? Pre-pregnancy I've always been one to do routine grooming but with this lovely bump blocking the view from any and all angles it is now the hardest thing to even get to! Am I the only one that feels this way or what?! What is the 411 on what to do in this situation?

A big thanks goes out to those who have reasonable input! (:

Chelsey68 · February 2012

I think it depends on the doctor and how much you got going on down there. I hadnt shaved in 2 weeks when I delivered and they did nothing. I remember my mom being disturbed that they shaved her when she had my sister.

biblionerd · February 2012

I personally still do/will. It's not perfect obviously, but with so much pp bleeding I don't want a nasty bush to deal with. That's just my personal comfort level though. They're doctors and nurses have seen it all. They (well most probably) don't care what it looks like.

Sawyerplus1 · February 2012

If you want to get a wax done while pregnant you totally can. It might be a bit more sensitive but it's still safe. If you do nothing, that's totally fine too! They used to do a routine shave before delivery, but they discovered that it doesn't prevent infection (like they thought) and I think that stopped being "routine" a long time ago now. I've had 2 vaginal deliveries with limited grooming beforehand it was never an issue for me or the delivering OB/MW.

mommygrams0730 · February 2012

it is completely unnecessary for anyone to HAVE to shave down there. it used to be a routine thing prior to labor that was done in the hospital, but now it's not really something they make you do.

i agree with PP about it being personal preference. TMI: i always have shaved...everything and i just keep up with that. i don't shave as much as i used to...i just don't care to take the time to do it. but with my first i think i shaved the day before and i will most likely do the same with this one, again just my preference.

morethancottoncandy · February 2012

I wax. It keeps everything pretty much under control for a several weeks at a time. I have always done it, but I guess it's especially practical while being pregnant. I can't imagine trying to shave something I can't see!

Annie234567 · February 2012

I'm so glad you brought this topic up. My mother always complained about how they shaved her at the hospital before I was born, and this seemed like the kind of thing that wouldn't be routine anymore because it's sort of random, but I didn't have the balls to ask anyone if it still happens.

Rsoc23 · February 2012

I keep things very neat down there but when I delivered I had not done any grooming in MONTHS. I called it a squirrel. Honestly, nobody really cares.

kris_kelsey · February 2012

I am an L&D RN and I would say that it really does not matter. I don't pay attention to hom much hair you have going on down there. The doc really doesn't either. The areas that usually get stitches don't really have hair so nothing gets in the way. if you have really long hair, then it is usually sorta wet and matted after delivery so it still can be out of the way of any repair. There is absolutely no need to do any grooming that is outside of your comfort zone.

I normal just trim my hair short, and shave the bikini area as needed. Toward the end of pregnancy it gets harder to see down there to shave or trim, so I will be getting a bikini or maybe a Brazilian wax soon. I don't do this for anyone else (although it is a bit weird when your co-workers know how much hair you do or don't have), but rather because after delivery you bleed a good bit and have to wear pads so it takes more effort keep the hair clean and clump free. I am doing it for my own sake, certainly not the sake of those in labor or delivery with me.

eav2c · February 2012

You aren't obligated to groom down there and as a girlfriend has reminded me--"they have seen worse." I do personally still continue to groom myself the best that I possibly can and anticipate doing so when I feel like I'm going into labor. However, who knows... maybe I'll have a IDGAF mentality (which, would save me some serious time and energy!) However, I don't anticipate doing my hair/makeup and all that. For me, being groomed down there is a personal preference and it's how I feel most comfortable

But, you do what feels best/right for you. No one will judge regardless.

caitlyn0216 · February 2012

Not crucial, but I feel better with my lady bits on display when I am nice and groomed. If you can't physically do it or just don't want to, don't sweat it. The doc looks at so many vaginas a day, I doubt she cares and/or will remember. I try to stay pretty relatively clean for appointments, but for D-day, I plan to do a full shave (mirror included for help.)

Also, a lot of mommies have told me that grooming right before delivery helps make post partum care easier and cleaner.

ayamc · February 2012

Funny you ask this...I just groomed this morning and boy was it hard! I normally groom (before I was pregnant) regularly and since getting pregnant it's fallen by the way side. I think I'm going to try to keep up with it and not let it get out of hand (I got ten weeks to go) because I think it'll be easier postpartum.

If you do plan on grooming now, good luck! Maybe get your hubby to help!?!

GoldenJasper · February 2012

I'm still shaving by memory (can't see) but it's by no means perfect. Hubby and I talked about this before I even got pregnant and he was cool with helping trim if I wanted the help... So far he's fine with the job I'm capable of doing at this point, and I'm comfortable with him not getting near my labia with a razor so win/win lol

Lesleyjking · February 2012

Yes, I feel SO gross. I even have a cyst on the bottom of my butt that keeps bleeding-feel better now? I too am living in yoga pants and sweats-thankfully Im working from home now.The most dressed up I get is a black pair of leggings with a long top and boots. Oh and I dont have stretch marks but cellulite ALL over my legs. Pre preg I was 106 at 5'5, Ive gained 32 pds and feel awful. I was also in ptl at 27 wks so put on bedrest which didnt help-I lost ALL muscle, where before I worked out 6 days a wk for 2 hrs. Anyway, worth it all in the end right?

Prior to preg I was lasered down there, but hair started growing back some so I shaved as best I could. I decided to get a brazilian last week as I just dont want to deal with potentially nipping myself. It wasnt bad, felt just like it did pre preg-I recommend it!

xoladiebug · February 2012

Even though I can't see down there, I still groom. I actually shave everything and so I just do my best to "wing it". It may mean a little extra time in the shower, but to me it's worth it. I've even gone as far as to bring a hand mirror into the shower with me so I check my progress. That said I'm not going to freak out if I miss a spot or if I've let it grow out a little prior to delivery. You can only do so much, and those doctors have seen everything!

cmurphy09 · February 2012

I do for personal preference...haha.

But these days I only use a trimmer. The schick quattro has a built in trimmer & works well.

gekeler6 · February 2012

I used to be concerned about this, but now I really could care less if I have hair down there or not. Since my bump has been in the way I'm just letting go of my OCD of shaving perfectly. Me and my hubby laugh and call it the "chia pet" because we both know I'm never going to let it continue to be like this after. If I were you and it really bothers you, either have your husband help you or go get a wax (personally I wouldn't wax pregnant). Or, you could just not even stress about it since no one is going to care (including you) when you are having a baby. It's not like the area looks like it normally does anyways, and I would rather have hair to hide all the parts people are staring at than to be completely bare for all to see every stretching part. This is just my opinion. It's really what you want to do. I'm just going natural....I really don't care what it looks like at this point.

winter-shock · February 2012

I really don't think it matters. And when you are in that moment trust me when I say it is the last thing that will be going through your head! With both pregnancies I have tried my best to just do what I can to shape it up a little bit, but really don't stress about it.

HollyBee013 · February 2012

Its crucial to me, but thats just personal preference! It takes awhile, at 2 days shy of 37 weeks, there is NO seeing what is going on down there! I just feel around, and I will be groomed to the best of my ability when I have to go to the hospital. lol I just feel llike there is no reason to go in lookin like its 1970 down there if I dont have to. DH makes fun of me for it, and I cant see it so I shouldnt care, but I do! Im even getting my toes did before I go in. lol

cs1007 · February 2012

It is not necessary, but I feel cleaner and just better about myself and my body if I am clean shaven down there...you can always use a mirror:)

lucianevgarcia · February 2012

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melpoteet · February 2012

With LO#1 DH helped me trim towards the end. He did ok but I am avoiding that so far this time. I use a mirror and an electric trimmer instead of a razor and sit on the edge of the tub so it doesnt get as 'shaved' but I use the lowest setting so it gets pretty bare. I don't really care what anyone else thinks but I do it for myself because I would like it more manageable with pp bleeding etc.

benandsus · February 2012

I try to keep up with it as best I can, but it definitely gets hard towards the end! I will never forget the moment my water broke with DS though - first words out of my mouth after "My water just broke!" was "I need to shave!" I hopped in the shower and "cleaned up" - shaved my legs too! I knew I wouldn't get another chance for awhile, and it just made me feel more comfortable about the whole thing. Of course 24 hours of labor later, I didn't care who saw me naked, who saw me poop on the table, and I'm sure hairy legs/other parts would have been no big deal either!

jessandandy09 · March 2012

nope. I am au natural all the way. legs are hairy, and so is the labia (oh and DH doesnt seem to care about the hair) and I have considered stopping caring about my pits now that they are fat too. I just had a friend tell me I should put my hair in braids when I go into labor because they are cute. I asked her which hair she was talking about, I think she was mortified. I have given birth two times and the last thing in the world me or my doc cared about was a bush. :-) Then again I also don't care about putting on cute clothing or make up for the birth, or even much for the pregnancy ( preg t-shirt and preg jeans everyday and a pony tail). I just care and focus on the actual delivery and baby afterwards. But of course you should do what makes you comfortable, its your body after all!

Alta Kelly · March 2012

I've worked as a doula for years and I can tell you OBs and midwives couldn't care less AND it doesn't not effect the birth if you are hairy in any way. Shaving is not done anymore hospitals... That was thrown out with the idea that dads should wait in the waiting room. Whatever makes you comfortable go for it

SFESQMOM1 · March 2012

is it crucial to groom your VIP section for your delivery? Pre-pregnancy I've always been one to do routine grooming but with this lovely bump blocking the view from any and all angles it is now the hardest thing to even get to! Am I the only one that feels this way or what?! What is the 411 on what to do in this situation?

I don't think it's crucial, BUT for me it is. Pre-pregnancy I was fairly good at maintaining the VIP area with brazilians. Even early in my pregnancy I still did and with my OB's consent I was able to use numbing cream (Rx strength) sold at my spa, since it does get MUCH more sensitive down there. I'll probably go back and get a brazilian in a couple of weeks to keep that area free and clear of any obstruction but that's because I don't like hair period and I like feeling groomed and clean. Granted, I also can't go to the podiatrist without getting a pedicure or go to the nail spa without shaving my legs, so I'm a bit wacky.

I would suggest a brazilian wax or if that's not your thing, then perhaps have your SO take care of business down there for you.

nurse_maya · March 2012

It's not required by any means, but it is appreciated by the hospital staff. I much prefer having a labor patient that is well groomed then not. I'm not gonna jugde a person for not trimming, but it is less smelly when the woman is shaved and I can tell you that about 80% of ladies have done significant groooming before coming in.

Netty_3 · March 2012

I had just happened to haveshaved and trimmed right before...but I think your Dr. is well aware that hair grows there naturally.

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