Bikini waxing before birth

Bottle or breast. Brazilian or Au Naturel. Welcome to the latest thing women are torturing themselves over: Whether or not to get a bikini wax before giving birth. And online forums are full of mothers and mums-to-be debating the pros and cons of bikini waxing before birth. Except that time never came. When my waters broke at 2 am, completely unprepared for what was about to unfold, I briefly contemplated shaving my legs and bikini line.

I gave birth three months ago and had a difficult delivery and a rare complication that led to extreme hemorrhaging. While in labor, here is something I never once worried about: what does everyone here think of the fact that not only have I not bothered to remove my pubic hair, but did not care to even coax it into any kind of neat, symmetrical form? You are supposed to make sure this tiny person learns to walk and talk and read and write and chew with her mouth closed and be a good and decent contributing member of society. And on top of that, as a woman — regardless of the decisions you make for yourself and your family about child-rearing and work outside of the home — you will invariably feel stretched thin both in theory, and physically. You will wonder how women have existed for so many thousands and thousands of years without being crushed under the weight and pressure of being a mother, of being so completely needed.

But we moms know that so many strangers get a good look, it may as well be on a billboard in Times Square. I got a Brazilian and a pedicure before both of my babies were born. But I also felt like it was practical: In my mind, I was making life easier for the obstetrician and nurses. Plus, labour can be very messy. Why not clean yourself up a little before any damage is done?

Getting a Brazilian wax was one of the best things I did for myself before giving birth. Once I got the mangy mess that had been accumulating for nine months out of the way, it was one less thing to worry about in the delivery room. Let me give you little background: I worked for five years as an aesthetician and then as a laser hair removal technician.