QUESTION FOR the LADIES!

[christmas]

I hope this Question is not way OFF TOPIC but I was wondering, are you able to shave your legs during the 7-9th month? If NO, what do you do or how. My other QUESTION is, DO I HAVE CHOICES TO CHOOSE HOW I CAN DELIEVER MY BABY WHEN IAM PREGNENT? or IT SHOULD BE BY PUSHING?

Thank You LADIES

[lisadebow]

I shaved during my last four pregnancies because I had spring and summer due dates. My first baby was born in December, so I only shaved my legs if I had a Dr appointment or for church. How you deliver your baby is almost entirely up to you. I have read and been told that water births are more peaceful, but I am rather bashful, and the idea of hanging out naked in a tub or wading pool the whole time I'm in labor made me rather uneasy. Gravity can be your best friend. If you hold out on the pain meds as long as is possible, you can walk through most of your labor and let gravity do most of your work for you. If you elect to use a midwife, you can probably find one who has a birthing stool, which enables you to sit up and let gravity do a lot of the work for you. In my experience, though, pushing is great because it alleviates the contraction pain. The harder you push, either the less it hurts or maybe I was concentrating to hard to notice.

[daughter of eve]

I had no trouble shaving, but I'm tall with a long torso so in spite of having large babies, my "baby bump" wasn't large enough to get in the way.

I second lisadebow about gravity. It's good to stay up as long as you can. During my second labour experience I discovered the warm handheld shower. You sit on a chair in the shower and spray the water on your belly. It reduced my pain considerably and also helped me relax. I was able to stay up and manage the pain almost until it was time to push. The beds used for birthing here are also amazing. They can be adjusted all sorts of ways so you can sit up as much as you want and still be supported.

[DEE_56652]

nope not by my self. my hubby helped me.

[Chase]

You can shave if you can manage to see the areas ok, and the birthing is your right to do as you wish, there are lots of options out there now.

[shella13]

Well, your balance is way off at that stage and sitting in a bathtub can be tricky, so my advice would be to shave if you can/want to but don't stress over it! All 3 of my babies were born in summer and I just did the best I could. All eyes are on the belly anyway. The doctors have seen it all so try not to feel self conscious.

The way you give birth is your choice. For myself I just let nature take it's course and felt no guilt when I needed pain medication. The babies came out fine! Just do what you're most comfortable with and everything will work out.

Follow your heart and don't let anyone bully you into doing things the way they're *supposed* to be done. Being a mama means making all sorts of decisions for another person for the next 18 years (at least).

Best wishes to you and your precious new blessing!

[Heaven_Draven]

You could always get your legs waxed or sugared, and save all the bother! If you get it done a week or so before your due date, you give yourself one less thing to worry about for the first few weeks after the birth too.

Oh, and if you can handle it, I'd reccomend getting down there waxed/surgared too - makes things decidedly less messy, and saves a little bother if you turn out to need a c-section or episiotomy. If you can't stand the idea, maybe get your SO to shave or at least trim the hair down there.

[Cascade]

I was able to shave but not paint my toenails. I could reach but just not see some areas. You can still do them by touch though.

As to how you should birth, I recommend Henci Goer's book A Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth. It lays out all of the options to you. It really opened my eyes to a variety of techniques.

Have it your way. If you're someone who doesn't like to make a lot of demands--bring someone who is good at that to be your advocate (if you birth in a hospital).

[Alley Cat]

I managed to shave my legs right up to the nine months though it got very uncomfortable. About how you deliver it really depends on lots of things how you progress in labour, if there are concerns about you or the baby, whether it is in the right position. I had 2 caesarians one after 10 hours of labour with no progression, and the other an elective one. So my advice is go in with an open mind don't expect things to go text book perfect.

[Maela]

Originally Posted by Cascade

As to how you should birth, I recommend Henci Goer's book A Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth. It lays out all of the options to you. It really opened my eyes to a variety of techniques.
Have it your way. If you're someone who doesn't like to make a lot of demands--bring someone who is good at that to be your advocate (if you birth in a hospital).

I agree! I'm not pregnant yet (hope to be in a year or two), but the book Cascade mentioned has a lot of great information. I highly recommend it and a doula too! Good luck with the shaving!

[christmas]

WOW, thank you LADIES, it helps alot, I am just scared that I won't be able to handle the pain but IF YOU GUYS can do it, I should be able to do it too? My husband and I really want a baby within a year but now I know my choices.

Thank You again

[mom_of_each]

Christmas the best thing to do is to be well informed. read reputable books,ask your doctors and nurses any and all questions. Talk to women who have "been there done that" but don't listen to the horror stories. Project and prophesy positive thoughts and energy.

[moonchaser]

Invest in a good electric razor and then you can shave by feel and not worry about slicing yourself open.

[Sage]

I couldn't even see my feet let alone shave. Clogs were my best friend, no bending or tying involved.

My tummy made a great shelf though. I could rest my drink or a plate on it with no problem whatsoever