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Pregnancy

Can you wear make up during a c section?

39 replies

PixieCake · 15/10/2010 19:21

I know, I know, the most vain question in the world!!

I am a bit of a trog when fresh-faced. But would like to look half human for my first pictures with baby after my c section.

Is it ok to put a bit of slap on before I go in, or will they make me scrub it off?

I'm not talking buckets, just a bit of blusher and some mascara.

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:

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Librashavinganotherbiscuit · 15/10/2010 19:23

I am having my eyelashes dyed...

anorexiamummy · 15/10/2010 19:25

Nope, don't think so.

I understand that you are not allowed make up for any surgical procedure - it is important for the doctors to monitor your condition eg if your face is deathly pale/ grey, if your lips have lost their colour or are bluish, if your fingernails have gone blue (so no nail varnish even)........

Of course, you are very unlikely to need that sort of monitoring but, hey, why risk it when you can slap some lippie on straight after if you really want to?

IMO a natural look and a radiant smile will look simply marvellous in the pics anyway.

Panzee · 15/10/2010 19:26

I looked fantastic in my post CS pics, despite no make up and drugged to the eyeballs. It's the smile that does it!

southeastastralbeing · 15/10/2010 19:27

they didn't make me take mine off, obviously wasn't plastered on

chipmonkey · 15/10/2010 20:06

LOL at the question! You are probably not as bad-looking as you think you are without make-up! I have had 4 CS's, didn't wear makeup for any of them and have to say I only looked awful after ds3 but that was because I lost a huge amount of blood.

Marchpane · 15/10/2010 20:11

Sadly you will find after having a baby even putting on a bit of mascara is virtually impossible so get your lashes tinted.

I will be next time. But I'm going to try the 30 day mascara now. I'll see if that extra half an hour a month is worth it

oggybags · 16/10/2010 14:30

just turn the images into black & white, everyone looks better then :-)

DomesticG0ddess · 16/10/2010 15:16

I am sure you CAN wear make up - the only thing you can not wear is nail varnish, as they check your nails for turning blue. I had an operation recently, under GA, and was not asked to remove any make up. I doubt I had much on as I had to be there at 7am, maybe just foundation, but no one mentioned it. When I had my EMCS it was after 36 hours of labour, so any make up had long disappeared!

PaigeTurner · 16/10/2010 15:22

Does anyone know the rules about having false (ie acrylic) nails on during an op? I don't ever take mine off but wondering if I'd have to for birth in case of CS?

passionberry · 16/10/2010 15:28

My friend definitely had lipstick on in her c-section pics.

I'm pretty sure it's just nail varnish they make you take off

I spent quite some time before we went to hospital applying make up between contractions. It all came off in the birthing pool and in the pot-birth pics I look like a panda.

(I am an idiot)

snowmummy · 16/10/2010 15:56

Getting eyelashes tinted is a very good idea. I'm going for that. I hate the no make up look on me.

traceybath · 16/10/2010 16:02

I wore make up and had toe nails painted. In fact surgeon commented on pretty colour

Did fake tan though and get eyelashes/brows done beforehand.

hippychick66 · 16/10/2010 16:19

I agree with panzee the smile on your face as you meet your new baby will make the photo's lovely.

I've not had a CS but I've had 2 labours and had no make-up on for those. I look knackered and my hair has the look of someone who's been dragged through a hedge but even I can see that I look lovely cos I am so bloody ecstatic.(and I usually hate photo's of myself).

If you do decide to do mascara, make sure it's water proof.

I hope you enjoy meeting your little one and that all goes well.

canella · 16/10/2010 16:24

oh i think no-one will ask you to take your mascara off!!

but definitely no nail varnish on your fingers - they need to check the level of oxygen during the c section with a probe on your finger and it doesnt work thro nail varnish - not sure about acrylic nails tho!

but like the painted toes traceybath!! impressed you could reach your toes!

Hazeyjane · 16/10/2010 19:20

I was told no make up, but have never not worn foundation (to cover scars), so wore that. I was very glad that I didn't wear mascara because I cried my eyes out when ds was born, so would have looked very panda-esque.

I put make up on every day after having babies though, even when I couldn't get out of bed. There is something about having a bit of blusher and mascara on that makes me feel human. I don't know why having babies would make it impossible to put make up on?

sungirltan · 16/10/2010 19:23

well i had acrash c section and no one made me take my make up off. good thing too because it was horrid enough!

latrucha · 16/10/2010 19:26

They took mine off. I believe it's to do with 'signs of life' ie. they need to see how you really look.

I had an emergency c-section then got photographed for the local paper. I was on the front (first baby of the year). I was minging. Everyone saw it. Even strangers came up to me in the street. I don't really care TBH.

forehead · 16/10/2010 19:30

I had makeup on when i was in labour, the problem was that i looked so good that nobody believed that i was in labour.

latrucha · 16/10/2010 19:31

pthrp

PickleSarnie · 17/10/2010 13:49

I didn't bother with make up in labour or for the after photos. All I wish is that i wore a bra. I'm wearing a grey vest and my boobs look like they're going opposite directions. Gutted that the photos i have will never see light of day!

Chynah · 17/10/2010 16:43

I wore light foundation and mascara for both my ELCSs and was never asked to remove it. Nail varnish is a definite no tough as they need to see the colour of your nail beds to monitor you.

AbiOllieDex · 23/11/2016 12:31

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GreedyDuck · 23/11/2016 12:43

I looked horrific in my post c-section pics thanks to the shower cap they bung on you, my fringe half sticking up half down. I was as white as a sheet, with a couple of lovely spots on my chin, and my specs on.

It's still the best picture I've ever seen, because I finally have my daughter safe and sound in my arms!

Thurlow · 23/11/2016 12:48

I had foundation and mascara on and was told one consultant would make me take it off, others would be fine with it. In the end it stayed on.

Anything on your finger nails is a no no.

SockQueen · 23/11/2016 16:34

I never get women to take make-up off for any kind of operation, though as has already been mentioned, no nail varnish/false nails.

The idea that some women feel they aren't fit to be looked at without make-up is a whole other problem with society...

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