Why Do Doctors Shave You Before Delivery of Your Baby?

Pregnancy labor shave of the perineum before delivery is usually debated. Doctors may shave you for hygiene or to reduce the risk of infection from a surgical incision or C-section.

Before delivering, your doctor might suggest a perineal haircut for efficiency and cleanliness.

Reasons doctors might shave you include:

• Surgical incision. Shaving may be done if pubic hair interferes with the incision, providing a clear view for a perfect cut.
• C-section. If you’re scheduled for a C-section, pubic hair might be shaved to prevent infection.
• Hygiene. Long pubic hair can make postpartum hygiene challenging, so doctors may shave you to help maintain cleanliness.

Disadvantages of Shaving Before Delivery

Disadvantages of shaving include:

• Maternal embarrassment. Shaving may make you uncomfortable and is a private matter.
• Infection. Shaving can lead to accidental cuts, increasing the risk of infection from microorganisms.
• Discomfort during hair regrowth. Shaving the perineum can cause ingrown hairs, making regrowth uncomfortable.

Side Effects of Shaving

Side effects of shaving the perineum may include:

• Redness
• Itchiness
• Skin irritation
• Superficial skin tears
• Burning sensation on the vulva

What You Need to Know

Modern childbirth finds that shaving is not necessary. Clinical research shows that it doesn’t affect birth or the risk of infection in perineal tears.

Tips to Help You Before Delivery

Avoid shaving a week before delivery. Don’t worry if you haven’t shaved. It’s acceptable not to shave. Consider alternatives to razor shaving like waxing, sugaring, electric shavers, and hair removal creams.

• Waxing and sugaring. Use these methods to remove pubic hair with minimal harm to your skin.
• Electric shavers. Use them throughout pregnancy for tidiness.
• Hair removal creams. Continue using them if you’ve used them before, but be cautious with new products.

Why Is a Vacuum Used During Delivery?

Vacuum-assisted delivery is safe when certain criteria are met:

• Fully dilated cervix. Vacuum use before full dilation risks injuring the cervix.
• Head position. The vacuum should be placed on the top of the head, not the face or brow.
• Engaged head. The baby’s head should be in the birth canal.
• Ruptured membranes. The amniotic membranes must be ruptured.
• Fit through the birth canal. The baby must be able to fit through.
• Term or near-term pregnancy. Vacuum-assisted delivery is not performed before 34 weeks.

Vacuum-assisted delivery speeds up the process, reduces the risk of injury, and helps avoid C-sections for prolonged labor, maternal exhaustion, high doses of anesthesia, maternal medical conditions, fetal problems, and abnormal head position.

References:

Center for Young Women’s Health: "Removing Pubic Hair."

Cochrane database of systematic reviews: "Routine perineal shaving on admission in labor."

New York University: "Should you shave your pubic hair before giving birth?"

National Library of Medicine: "Randomised controlled trial of perineal shaving versus hair cutting in parturients on admission in labor."

Queensway Carleton Hospital: "Shaving Before Birth."

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center: "Having a C-section? What pregnant women should know."

MedlinePlus: "Vacuum-Assisted Delivery."

American Family Physician: "Vacuum-Assisted Vaginal Delivery."

UpToDate: "Procedure for Vacuum-Assisted Vaginal Delivery."

UpToDate: "Procedure for Vacuum-Assisted Vaginal Delivery."