I never shave, but do trim. A visit may remind me it has been a while and I may neaten but I'm not concerned if I don't--as others said, they've seen everything!
Although I did admittedly have an "it figures!" moment recently. As mentioned, I do usually prefer to trim, but hadn't at the end of my last pregnancy this year because it is very difficult in that condition (see niki28's story!). Then it was confirmed I needed a C-section (footling breech). I know OBs used to shave even before vaginal births and that is very rare now but I guess they usually still do before a surgery. But this OB doesn't like when it is done--he was like, "Eh, there is still really no strict reason to, and many people don't like having the nurse go to town [my words] with the trimmer right before surgery, and the prickly regrowth makes an uncomfortable recovery that much more uncomfortable, blah blah blah". I was like, "Cool, this guy is open-minded and enlightened and looking out for our comfort". Fast forward to a week after. I end up getting a hematoma and my incision burst! I had to have visiting nurses come and pack the gaping wound for almost a month. Not ultimately serious insofar as long-term repercussions or risks, but messy. And that darn hair was soooooooo in the way while dressing was being changed constantly and with the very slow re-healing. I sorta wished I or they had shaved after all!
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trigger for brief non-graphic mention of medical trauma
Date: 2012-03-27 06:00 pm (UTC)Although I did admittedly have an "it figures!" moment recently. As mentioned, I do usually prefer to trim, but hadn't at the end of my last pregnancy this year because it is very difficult in that condition (see niki28's story!).
Then it was confirmed I needed a C-section (footling breech). I know OBs used to shave even before vaginal births and that is very rare now but I guess they usually still do before a surgery. But this OB doesn't like when it is done--he was like, "Eh, there is still really no strict reason to, and many people don't like having the nurse go to town [my words] with the trimmer right before surgery, and the prickly regrowth makes an uncomfortable recovery that much more uncomfortable, blah blah blah". I was like, "Cool, this guy is open-minded and enlightened and looking out for our comfort".
Fast forward to a week after. I end up getting a hematoma and my incision burst! I had to have visiting nurses come and pack the gaping wound for almost a month. Not ultimately serious insofar as long-term repercussions or risks, but messy. And that darn hair was soooooooo in the way while dressing was being changed constantly and with the very slow re-healing. I sorta wished I or they had shaved after all!