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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

C-Section and make-up?

222 replies

sailorcherries · 14/05/2017 21:24

I have a planned c-section on Tuesday and at our pre-op class and clinic visit the midwife mentioned that nail polish was okay, as long as it was pale/neutral, as was makeup.

I mentioned to OH that I planned on painting my nails a pale nude/pink colour and will be applying my normal make up in the morning before we go. He thinks I'm bonkers and cannot understand why I'd do it.

My normal routine is concealer (my hormonal skin is horrendous atm), a mineral powder foundation, eyebrows filled in lightly, mascara and lip balm. It's not ott but enough to stop me feeling self concious about spots when in public, nail polish helps me feel more together.
I hope that it will make me feel slightly more myself post birth and during the first visits from family.

Aibu in applying it before we go?
Would you apply it if you had the chance?
Am I being awfully vain (OH hasn't said this, just thinks makeup before an operation is bonkers)?

OP posts:
PeaFaceMcgee · 14/05/2017 21:33

Keep your index fingernails polish- free for pulse ox monitoring (that thing that clips onto your finger). Light makeup is fine.

ButtMuncher · 14/05/2017 21:33

Nail polish I think masks the symptoms of medical issues that are seen in the nails and also I think it's something to do with the use of oxygen monitor during the operation.

I wore mascara when my little boy was born. Nobody told me otherwise. I looked okay immediately after he was born but judging by the photos mere hours later I look like I've been on the lash for a week Grin I barely remember a thing Grin

weddingopinionsplease · 14/05/2017 21:33

Also I know your midwife has said nailpolish is OK and for a midwife led vaginal birth it is but for a planned c-section it's a no-no.

Rosti1981 · 14/05/2017 21:33

I didnt think nail polish was allowed because of needing the thing on your fingertip to check oxygen levels. But the rest, sure why not? After my first emergency section I looked horrendous and the pics reflect how ill and out of it I felt. I had an ELCS with my second child as he was transverse, and after a week staying in hospital in case my waters suddenly broke, I wanted whatever I could do to move out of the institutionalised mindset! Plus the postbirth pics look way better! I am not someone who wears that much makeup usually, but it did make me feel better (displacement activity, plus doing something nice/normal for myself that wasn't hospital related), so why not?

Do double-check the nail polish thing though....

Good luck with it! Flowers

Cockadoodle · 14/05/2017 21:33

Lol do it! My consultant admired my toe nails! However I wouldn't bet on being up to visitors just after I wasn't! Take fibrogel and oj with you, be see the advice I can give you. No one needs to strain after a c-section! 😁

April241 · 14/05/2017 21:34

No nail polish is so the monitors can pick up your oxygen levels. Sometimes it works with nail polish still but a lot of the time it can't pick up a trace or gives an incorrect reading. Nail beds also show cyanosis which you wouldn't be able to see under nail polish.

Same with face makeup, reasons for not wearing it are so we can see how you're looking, cyanosed/pale/allergic reactions etc etc

Cockadoodle · 14/05/2017 21:35

best advice

Funnyface1 · 14/05/2017 21:35

I had a planned section in September and a midwife came bustling in with nail varnish remover and cotton wool, demanding anyone wearing it to remove it. I wasn't wearing any because I know they ask you not to, but I wouldn't have been let off the hook if I had.

Also make up would be a bad idea in.my opinion. The drugs and hormones make you sweat a lot after the op and you will be bed bound for hours, make up will be really unpleasant, like going to the gym and having to keep it on for hours after.

megletthesecond · 14/05/2017 21:35

Don't wear nail polish. They took mine off for my emcs and I wasn't allowed to wear it for my planned cs or other general anesthetics. They need to see the colour of the nail bed IIRC.

shouldnthavesaid · 14/05/2017 21:36

Also work in a hospital and we strictly don't allow any make up or nail varnish for any sort of procedure in theatre at all - many times I've given ladies acetone the morning of their op. The staff won't care what you look like in terms of make up or nails - they need clear nails for oxygen saturation monitoring and clear skin to check your colour (e.g. foundation would possibly mask a pale or flushed face if that makes sense). Plus you'll be hot , tired and sweaty - maybe take with you for after but I genuinely wouldn't bother on the day of your section at all.

steff13 · 14/05/2017 21:37

I've never had a C-section, but for my births I shaved my legs and painted my toenails once contractions started, and put on mascara and lip balm. For a C-section, I don't think I'd bother with makeup. Except lip balm because I have an addiction issue.

Writerwannabe83 · 14/05/2017 21:37

One of the questions on the theatre paperwork will ask if makeup and nail varnish are removed.

When I had my ELCS I didn't even have admission paperwork, let alone theatre paperwork Grin

The midwives didn't even know I had epilepsy and a heart condition until the 3rd day I was there and they saw me taking my medication and asked what it was for....

After that I wasn't particularly surprised that nobody had been bothered about my Foundation Grin

reallyanotherone · 14/05/2017 21:39

I had a planned c-section and was given a strict washing regime, and hibiscrub to wash with.

I had to shower and wash hair- with the hibiscrub only- the night before, sleep on clean sheets, then shower and wash hair, again only with hibiscrub, the morning of the section.

No make up, moisturiser, cosmetics, hair products.

All about reducing infection risk. Hibiscrubbed skin reduces skin bacteria. Start putting non sterile make up, nail varnish etc on, and you're reintroducing bacteria.

So based on what i learned, i'd go as clean as possible.

Pigface1 · 14/05/2017 21:41

You do whatever you fancy!

I'm jealous that you're so relaxed about it that make up and nails are what's bothering you!

reallyanotherone · 14/05/2017 21:42

Oh also- no pubic hair removal. Again to reduce infection risk- waxing/shaving introduces tiny skin abrasions bacteria can hide in.

Sabsy1 · 14/05/2017 21:45

My labour progressed extremely quickly and i entered delivery room with full make up on, without planning it... nobody was bothered about it, all i wanted was an epidural (which i did get)!!!!! So, do whatever makes you happy!

QuietNameChange · 14/05/2017 21:50

I don't see why neutral nail polish is ok but red one isn't...?

But yes, do whatever makes you feel comfortable. If that's what you need?

strikhedonia · 14/05/2017 21:52

I wouldn't put nail varnish, reasons explained above, but if make-up makes you happy, why not. I wouldn't as a personal choice, but neither do I put any before any sport activity. I feel cleaner with a clean face when I sweat and I couldn't go to sleep with make-up on.

It is strange that in this country so many patients are not asked to shower in Betadine or other before surgery.

witsender · 14/05/2017 21:52

Well, why not? If it is what you do, why would that be any different?

Original poster
sailorcherries · 14/05/2017 21:56

The pre-op clinic was specifically for elective sections, held by a midwife who works entirely on that ward and the anaesthetist consultant.
Both agreed that makeup and nail polish were fine, the only thing you were asked not to wear were false nails.

No strict rules re cleaning on the morning of, told to shower as normal with normal products and dress as normal.

The three rules were -

  1. No false nails.
  2. No shaving or waxing your bits.
  3. Fasting, no food after midnight the day of and only clear liquids (water, black tea and black coffee) between midnight and 7am.

It does seem quite lax compared to other surgeries but that was definitely their list.

Trust me makeup and nails aren't the only thing worrying me. My mind has been ten to the dozen since the class last week and I'm floating somewhere around the internalised break down point atm, but outwardly feeling more put together helps me feel more in control.
My first was an emcs and I have one photo of us both post-birth because of my insecurities. The makeup and nails are my way of trying to stay that little bit in control.

OP posts:
LesLiaisonsDangereuses · 14/05/2017 21:57

I personally think this is really odd.

It is a medical procedure and not a social occasion. You want the medical team to be able to monitor you without any barriers - they need to be able to see your body, including your face and nails to check you are ok.

And anybody who you feel would judge you for not looking your best within hours of giving birth has no place visiting you in a maternity unit.

Honestly, nobody cares what you look like. They want you and your baby to come out of this procedure alive and well. That is all.

Iamastonished · 14/05/2017 21:57

Yet again people not bothering to read the entire thread. There have been medical professionals explaining why it isn't a good idea and posters are still saying it is OK Hmm

Namebot · 14/05/2017 21:58

The paperwork for my elective section stated that no make was to be worn. I mostly followed that but put some mascara on and some brow gel on so I still looked like me. I possibly also used a very sheer tinted moisturiser. Nobody checked or complained about it and I was happy to leave my skin fairly bare as it was for medical reasons - normally I'm very self concisous and have very bad dark eye circles.

IamADalek · 14/05/2017 21:58

No nail polish if you are going to theatre.

Iamastonished · 14/05/2017 21:58

Cross posted with the OP's update.