nail polish for labour

[PuffsMummie]

I know this sounds so shallow, but what is the actual rule re wearing nail polish?

I've heard you're not allowed but lots of the women in my antenatal group have been wearing it in their delivery photos. So what is the actual rule or does it vary from hospital to hospital?

I usually have gels, but I think around due date I will opt for regular nail polish in case it does need to be removed.

Please dont advise me to ask my midwife as I am too embarrassed to ask about something as trivial!

[LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD]

I don’t think there’s a rule - but it wasn’t in my top 1000 concerns in the maternity ward to be honest.

[blueskiesbrighteyes]

It was never mentioned to me by a midwife, only in NCT (and it really surprised all of us!). I wore nail polish and nobody said anything, same with all the other ladies in my group. I wouldn't worry about it x

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

According to the booklet given to my friend, which I read all of to pass the time, nail polish was permitted for people giving birth on the maternity unit but needed to be removable in case of surgeries. People with planned C-sections were asked to have naked nails.

[NotSoThinLizzy]

I think it's just the gell and acrylic nails that might cause a problem if you are needed to go for a section but not 100% on that.

[TokenGinger]

I had gel polish on my toes that just happened to still be on from my baby shower.

I usually do my own gel nails but decided not to prior to my due date simply because it's a pain taking them off and I didn't fancy trying to soak my nails in acetone with a newborn screaming for a feed x

[Expressedways]

It’s in case you end up having a c-section. They put the pulse monitor on your finger but nail polish or gels can affect the reading and they also want to see your nails because them turning blue is a sign that your oxygen levels are dropping. I was told this before my ELCS. Personally I wouldn’t wear it- if you do need an EMCS I wouldn’t want anything complicated or delayed due to my nails. That said it’s obviously not that critical or else it would be standard advice given to all pregnant ladies.

And I don’t think it’s a stupid question to ask your midwife at all!

[20viona]

I had gel polish done the day before and it was absolutely fine the probe can still read your pulse rate.

[stucknoue]

You cannot gel or extensions because they need to be removed before a c-section, kind of tricky in an emergency. I think hospitals are a bit more relaxed about that 10 years ago because they are so common, but it's probably better to have natural nails for the first few weeks anyway, who has time to get in fills with a newborn???

[bigbluebus]

The only reason I can think of is because if you need your oxygen levels monitoring (usually if you have surgery) then the probe is attached to your finger nail. It cannot pick up a accurate measurements through nail polish - which is why you might be told not to wear it. I was once told by a respiratory consultant that lighter polish is fine but dark colours are not ( but don't know how accurate that info is).

[cranstonmanor]

In case of emergency do you really want a nurse to take time to take of your polish? Tbh I looked like shit giving birth, polish wouldn't have helped me look any better. Most people look sweaty and red faced in the first pictures with a bad hair day as well. Just take your time the next day to look good for the photo's or even better, do what a cousin of mine did, plan a professional photoshoot after two weeks. The baby looks nicer at two weeks (not so wrinkly) and you will look soooo much better too. They turned out so nice, I really recomnend it.

[FaithInfinity]

It certainly used to be that oxygen probes couldn’t read levels when you had nail varnish on but more recently I’ve noticed we don’t seem to have that problem (even with gels) (I’m a nurse so use them a lot!).

[VanillaLatteAndCake]

I had polish on my toes & kept my finger nails naked so-to-speak! You could always do the opposite?

[pinkpeoniesplease]

I had regular nail varnish on my toes and they removed it on one toe for a caesarean. They'll have nail varnish remover there, you won't be the first woman to go in with it on! But I wouldn't have gels...

[user159]

I had painted nails - not gel. No one mentioned it

[xJune88]

I had gel fingers and toes had an induction, 5 days later waters were broken, had an emcs, stayed for another 6 days. Nothing was said :) x