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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:
EB123 · 14/05/2017 22:01

I wore nail polish and make up for my planned c section, nobody told me not too and there were no issues. I would just double check op before the day x

M0stlyBowlingHedgehog · 14/05/2017 22:01

I had a planned C section, and the meeting the day before with the anaesthetist, she specifically told me not to wear nail varnish - they need to be able to see your nails to check oxygen levels, as a PP said.

Also, bear in mind that things may not run to schedule (they have to do emergency work too, so if you're unlucky you will get bumped down the schedule - mine was meant to happen first thing in the morning, I eventually got into theatre at 5.30), and also they give you pretty serious pain killers (in addition to the actual spinal block, I also had pethidine via epidural), so you may well find yourself completely out of it. Or rather, you won't find anything, because you won't be in a state to worry about it, but your DH might! (My birth partners joked that it was like something from Trainspotting afterwards... Grin)

But good luck - I found my planned section a really positive experience, all the health care professionals were great, and I healed really quickly. And if a bit of makeup (anaesthetist's advice permitting) makes you feel better, go for it.

strikhedonia · 14/05/2017 22:02

well there's not a single answer, is it. Some hospitals demands that you shower in antiseptic before any procedure, and obviously ban make-up, others seem very casual about it, and a nice medical help removes it just before you go into theater, whilst other places don't seem to have any issue.

It's the same with pubic hair: in some places you are strongly advised not to touch anything because of the risk of infections, whilst others will shave you before surgery even an emergency one (which makes things easier with bandages after).

Helloitsme88 · 14/05/2017 22:02

I had full face of make up and bright red nails for my planned one. Absolutely no reason why you shouldn't

IamADalek · 14/05/2017 22:05

Yes there is a reason - oxygen monitoring and if the anaesthetist requests it (a lot do). They were certainly looking at my hands after my difficult cs

Helloitsme88 · 14/05/2017 22:06

I will say that I got very itchy after the op, in recovery and I wished I hadn't had quite so much make up on as I was getting it everywhere 🙈

robinia · 14/05/2017 22:08

Different op but I was allowed any nail polish on toes but only light/translucent nail polish on fingers. As other have said, they need to see the colour of your extremities.
I also wore eye make up/ lip salve but no foundation etc.

Original poster
sailorcherries · 14/05/2017 22:13

If I had been told not to, I wouldn't even have started this thread.
Since the mw and anesthesiologist said it was okay, I have.

I'm not disregarding the medical advice I have been given and never would.

OP posts:
cardibach · 14/05/2017 22:15

This: 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 is completely nuts Namebot.
You were given medical advice and you ignored it so you could 'look like yourself'. I'm glad it didn't have any consequences, but it could have. The advice isn't given for nothing. I can't believe people would put their appearance ahead of their health and that of their new baby.

Funnyface1 · 14/05/2017 22:21

Oh god yes, the itching! Didn't have that with my emcs but with the planned one I wanted to scratch my skin off! Make up would have made that worse too.

Iamastonished · 14/05/2017 22:21

" I can't believe people would put their appearance ahead of their health and that of their new baby"

I agree. I'm no oil paining, and quite frankly, putting on make-up doesn't make me look much different - just less pale.

44PumpLane · 14/05/2017 22:31

I wore make up for my section, my make up is very natural and just evens out my skin tone and fades the dark circles under my eyes.

I was told it was ok when I asked pre section.

I wouldn't nail varnish though unless it was clear, in case they make you take off a single nail of colour.

I wanted the first pics of me with my babies to be something I could put on my wall if I so desired, and for me I look better with a little bit of make up on my skin.

I'm glad I did it!

Moanyoldcow · 14/05/2017 22:32

I don't know about anyone else by I felt bloody vile after my emcs - makeup on top of that would've been disgusting.

I'd be more interested in taking some nice stuff in so I could pretty up afterwards. How you look during is utterly irrelevant and I don't really get why you plan to make yourself up - to what end?

WanderingTrolley1 · 14/05/2017 22:34

No makeup.

WanderingTrolley1 · 14/05/2017 22:35

Or nail varnish.

eurochick · 14/05/2017 22:36

I think make up would have made me feel worse, tbh. It would have got wiped off with the post section vom clear up and sweating too. And I just about managed to stand for the shower the next morning before almost passing out from pain. An extra minute standing to remove make up might have finished me off!

Wando1986 · 14/05/2017 22:37

Your newborn will end up covered in makeup. Have you ever seen a baby after it's brushed past it's mother's caked up face for it's first kiss? You'll be lucky too if they don't tell you to scrub it off.

specialsubject · 14/05/2017 22:38

Paint your toes (if you can see or reach them). Doesn't seem worth chancing fingernails, why obscure what might be a lifesaving piece of info?

Italiangreyhound · 14/05/2017 22:39

YANBU, do what you like, it's your face and nails. But in reality once your baby is out you may not worry too much.

Good luck, it's a great time and whatever makes it better for you.

Thanks
Original poster
sailorcherries · 14/05/2017 22:41

wando I've no idea how much makeup you wear but mine is so sparse it doesn't even transfer on to my clothes or current children.
A mineral powder foundation and concealer are not heavy.

OP posts:
treaclesoda · 14/05/2017 22:44

I was checked over for nail polish etc before going to theatre for both my c sections, although they were emergency ones, so maybe that was what was different?

But with my first I took my makeup bag into hospital and did my makeup properly when I got back to the ward because I knew that people would take photos of me. I know it's vain, but there you go. If you saw my photos you'd think I was the picture of health, but actually I was severely anaemic and really very unwell. After my second I was in so much pain I couldn't face doing the make up thing, so I look terrible in the photos, yet ironically I was much more healthy than after the first one Confused

icelollycraving · 14/05/2017 22:48

I wear a full face, false nails etc.
I was induced but knew a cs was possible although not planned.
I removed my false nails, no toe nail colour too. I straightened my hair and wore a light amount of makeup but not really face more mascara etc. My skin is sensitive and I didn't want them using wipes etc to remove anything just in case.

Namebot · 14/05/2017 22:51

What consequences could a layer of mascara have had?

I spoke to the staff and they were fine with what I had on. Had they not then i would have removed it. If I recall they meant full make up and gel nails etc. My nails were unpolished and my skin tone was also clear.

I needed to feel myself because of previous birth trauma, mental health issues and because I was bricking it about the section. It was a positive experience and thankfully the mascara and brow gel didn't cause complications.

Algebraic · 14/05/2017 22:51

I'm hoping I have time to do my face before birth. Perhaps I won't care at the time but it just makes me feel
more confident and together, like you said. I imagine my husband would also think me mad! Do whatever makes you feel good Smile

Onthehighseas · 14/05/2017 22:52

Ex theatre staff here too (with obstetric experience). Please - no nail varnish or make up.