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AIBU?

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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:
Original poster
sailorcherries · 14/05/2017 22:55

onthehighseas even if those working in the theatre have already said it is okay?

OP posts:
thecolonelbumminganugget · 14/05/2017 22:58

I can understand why you'd want to, but coming at it from a different angle how comfortable are you sleeping in make up and waking up in it. I imagine the effort required to have a wash and take it off when you want to freshen up will be quite great. You may feel better afterwards without having to worry about feeling a bit manky with make up you've slept in / been wearing for a long time.

Weareboatsremember · 14/05/2017 22:59

I reapplied my mascara mid-labour (when the epidural had kicked in and I'd had a sleep) as I looked an absolute state and wanted to look ok on the post-birth pictures. I ended up with a section, and was glad I'd taken 2 minutes to sort out my face and hair. No one asked me to take off my mascara and tiny bit of powder. I don't see why they would when I had a whole body full of skin for them to check! (I don't wear nail varnish though, so can't answer that one). Good luck with the section

susiestripes · 14/05/2017 23:03

Bloody hell some posters need to get off their high horses and stop being so patronising.

OP as long as you are following the advice of the HCPs at your hospital then do whatever makes you feel comfortable and happy.

Some posters couldn't bear the thought of having makeup on, couldn't be bothered to paint nails, was the last thing on their minds, etc etc etc. That's fine, for them. You would prefer a little makeup, that's also fine.

LOLd at the poster who suggested a bit of brow gel and mascara was putting the baby at risk.

I usually wear quite a lot of makeup, full coverage foundation, powder, smokey eyes etc, but personally opted for no makeup at all for hospital. It was the thought of sweating, blood and god knows what else getting all over me that put me off bothering. I knew I would end up looking like a dogs dinner.

I did wear nail varnish but my labour was spontaneous, not planned for a specific day. I was rushed to theatre and my nail varnish wasn't taken off. Unsure whether this was not necessary or just that time wasn't on side for removing it before the procedure.

Anyway, ignore the patronising comments, and do what you prefer.

Teabagtits · 14/05/2017 23:08

I've always been told no nail polish as they check circulation and hydration by pressing on your nail to see how quickly the colour returns. My oh has just finished a stint as a theatre nurse and said the same. He also said they prefer no make up. I've heard his stories of women in full slap with tape on their faces taking off make up so they gave odd stripes when in recovery.

I honestly wouldn't give a shit but I don't care what people think of me or my looks.

scoobydoo1971 · 14/05/2017 23:09

Please don't go in with nail polish on. It is really important that the surgical team can monitor your oxygen levels via the nail bed. While I would expect your c-section to be straight-forward, if there was a complication (I couldn't have an epidural with my first baby and needed GA) then it would be removed anyway.

To be honest, once your baby arrives, makeup and nail polish will be the last thing on your mind.

PyongyangKipperbang · 14/05/2017 23:13

If they have said its ok then its ok.

I put a bit of make up on before I was induced with DC5, was more out of boredom than anything as I had been waiting for the induction for almost 2 days. Sods law, I was taken down half an hour later, had him 3 hours after that and looked a right fucking state with mascara running down my face :o

But with an elective you should be fine :)

Good luck!

Onthehighseas · 14/05/2017 23:16

No I wouldnt. Someone's colour is one of the best indicators of their wellbeing. I was trained during the days when pulse oximeters first came in, and staff back then used their senses as much as their equipment. I know its different now, and there is much more reliance on electronic kit, but it's still such an important indicator.

Weareboatsremember · 14/05/2017 23:22

God I hate it when people say "you won't care when the baby arrives". I did, and I know that my friends didn't want to look totally shit in their photos with their baby either. We all have different priorities. What I wish the most is that I could have had my glasses in theatre with me, as no one held my baby close enough to me to see her face, so I didn't actually see her properly until I was in recovery half an hour later with specs on!

kel1493 · 14/05/2017 23:28

I don't ever wear makeup as I CBA with it. And I think your child should be the most important person that day. But if your makeup means more to you then carry on

Fl0ellafunbags · 14/05/2017 23:28

I put a full face on when I went into hospital for my VBAC with DS. The whole lot had to go while they were running down the corridor for my crash section. No one but you gives a shit what you look like, least of all your baby.

craftykaratechop · 14/05/2017 23:32

  • To be honest, once your baby arrives, makeup and nail polish will be the last thing on your mind."

Horrlix - first thing I did post birth was apply my make up and got my sis to do my nails Grin

Each to their own but lets not put out that what you felt is what others will eh?

Iamastonished · 14/05/2017 23:34

DD was born before smartphones and when digital cameras were in their infancy. New mothers were far less bothered about their appearance than they are now.

EastEndQueen · 14/05/2017 23:34

At the hospital I work in we do ask women to take off nail polish, but it may well differ in different hospitals and you can only go on what the team there have told you.

Go for it - personally the sight of my perfectly shellac pedicured pink toenails really really cheered me up during my long chaotic induction. And I straightened/ blowdried my hair and did based makeup in postnatal ward - made me feel like me which was comforting xxx

EastEndQueen · 14/05/2017 23:34

*basic makeup

treaclesoda · 14/05/2017 23:36

My first child was born before smartphones. But in the year or two before I first gave birth, a couple of my friends had babies. I remember seeing the photos of them holding their baby for the first time and being struck by how they looked like shadows of themselves, they didn't look anything like the friends I know. So I decided to fake it for my photos.

I'm the first to admit that it was shallow and vain, but I just wanted to look...like me, I suppose.

Italiangreyhound · 14/05/2017 23:36

crafty we are all just posting from our own experiences. No one knows for sure what the OP will feel.

EastEndQueen · 14/05/2017 23:36

kel1493 - that is nasty and patronising. No need for that at all

HurricaneHalle · 14/05/2017 23:49

No nail polish allowed or make up for my sections either. Gutted as if had a pedicure a few days before.

Headofthehive55 · 15/05/2017 00:03

The nail varnish does from some research I've read (really interested in this subject ) prevent the oxygen saturation machine working quite as effectively. It shines a light onto your nail and measures the amount if red light coming back.
Make up does stop staff getting an accurate feeling of your well being and it a bit if a backstop.
Machines do fail, unknowingly.
I imagine your are having an epidural /spinal rather than GA so it's less critical. But if course it might suddenly have to be so.
However, knowing what I know I wouldn't wear either - but I am very safety keen.

HildaOg · 15/05/2017 00:24

No nail polish but I nobody took off my full face of makeup when I went for an emergency section, don't think that's banned.

SquatBetty · 15/05/2017 01:29

Interesting - I'm having a planned c-section and the pre op is next week. I don't wear much make-up so that's not a problem but I was going to have a pedicure this week and have a bright colour put on my toenails. Do you think this will be allowed or is it only finger nails that need to be free of polish?

susiestripes · 15/05/2017 04:09

I don't ever wear makeup as I CBA with it. And I think your child should be the most important person that day. But if your makeup means more to you then carry on

What a horrid, nasty thing to say. So patronising.

I'm sure you're a much better person and mother because you cba with makeup Hmm

KittyWindbag · 15/05/2017 04:36

I'm having an elective csection and I'm not allowed makeup or nail polish but even if I was, I wouldn't bother. Apart from anything, i doubt I'll be up to properly washing my face in the 24 hours or so afterwards, and I don't want days-old makeup clogging my skin. Skin is likely to go a bit haywire due to hormone shifts afterwards.

KittyWindbag · 15/05/2017 04:40

I'm mildly more bothered by my crappy hair which is always so fine and limp, I'm sure it'll look horrendous after a few days without washing. I've been teaching my husband how to tie it up in a neat and tidy knot so i at least will look clean in pictures.

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