Should you remove pubic hair before giving birth?
Mia Horton
Updated on January 12, 2026
In previous years, traditional childbirth recommended hair removal on the pubic area before delivery. However, modern childbirth finds that it's not necessary to shave your pubic hair before delivery. Clinical research shows that shaving or not shaving pubic hair doesn't necessarily affect birth.
Should we remove vaginal hair before delivery?
Shaving pubic hair in the early stages of labour is a standard procedure in most hospitals in India. It is done for both vaginal and caesarean births. It is believed that shaving the pubic hair makes birth more hygienic and reduces the chances of infection. However, there is not enough evidence to suggest this is true.Should pubic hair be removed during pregnancy?
Experts have found that there is a small decrease in infection rates in pregnant women when the hair on the perineum, which is usually removed in bikini waxes, is left in place, In fact, experts now recommend women to not shave off their pubic hair, especially after 36 weeks of pregnancy.What should I do to my pubic hair before giving birth?
Shaving: This is the most preferred method adopted by doctors and midwives before preparing a woman for delivery. If you still have full hair growth over your privates before delivery, your doctor is likely to recommend it. If you plan to shave at home, do it 48 hours prior to going to the hospital.Do hospitals shave you before delivery?
In fact, hospitals used to shave your pubic hair for you—and in some areas, they still do. “Shaving before labour was once thought to reduce infection rates,” says Toronto OB/GYN Dayna Freedman. But medical advice advances with research.10 uncomfortable questions during pregnancy
Do Midwives care about pubic hair?
Doctors, nurses and midwives deal with vulvas and vaginas all day long, and trust us—they literally don't care AT ALL if you look “cleaned up” down there. Of all the useless things that I worried about before labour, getting a bikini wax was high on the list.How can I shave my private part during pregnancy?
Shaving tips when pregnant
- Always use a sharp, clean razor blade. ...
- Use pregnancy-friendly products. ...
- Do it sitting down. ...
- Use a mirror. ...
- Trim and tweeze what you can't shave. ...
- Moisturise and hydrate.
Do doctors shave you before surgery?
We mentioned that surgeons do sometimes shave their patients before a surgery is performed. In these cases, surgeons will typically use an electric razor instead of a traditional razor. Electric razors help avoid the presence of micro-abrasions as the hair is removed, thus keeping the infection risk very low.What happens if you don't shave your pubic area?
Infections. As mentioned above, pubic hair serves a protective function by trapping pathogens that could otherwise enter your body. Removing pubic hair may therefore make a person more susceptible to common infections, such as UTIs, vaginitis, and yeast infections.Can you get a Brazilian wax at 39 weeks pregnant?
Is It Safe to Get a Brazilian While Pregnant? It is generally considered to be safe to get a Brazilian wax while pregnant. While your skin may be more sensitive, and you should always tell your technician that you are pregnant, even if you think it's obvious, there is no medical reason to avoid a Brazilian.Do they shave you before C-section?
It's no longer standard procedure to shave pubic hair, because it could permit unwanted bacteria into the body. (Nor should you shave or wax your own bikini area or abdomen right before a scheduled C-section, also due to the infection risk.) Any hair that might get in the way of the incision is clipped.When should you not shave down there?
If there is an infectionWhether is a yeast infection, bacterial vaginitis, or something else, you must avoid shaving down there. Shaving can spread the infection. In fact, you need to notify your doctor about the same.
How much pubic hair is normal for a woman?
Felice Gersh, MD, there is a “basic normal amount” of female pubic hair. She explains, "Typically it should cover all of the labia majora to the inner surface of the thighs and up to the pubic bone-roughly shaped like a triangle."Why private parts are shaved before surgery?
“Prepping” a patient for surgery usually involves shaving areas where incisions are to be made. Some surgeons believe it is important to remove anything that might obstruct their view. Others see shaving as a way to eliminate bacteria that cling to the hair and can contaminate the surgical site.How do you shave at the hospital?
Shaving with a standard razor
- Wash the face with warm water to soften the hair.
- Apply the shaving cream.
- Shave with the direction of hair growth. ...
- Press the razor firmly, but not too much. ...
- Use short strokes, and be careful around the Adam's apple, mouth, nose, and chin.
- Rinse the blade after every few strokes.