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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:
Oswin · 15/05/2017 04:46

Kel1493 don't be such a spiteful knob. Op isn't just an incubator. It's about her too.
FFS. Hate this attitude.

trixiebelden77 · 15/05/2017 04:51

I'm a doctor. Pulse oximetry works through some nail varnishes. If it doesn't give me a good trace I use an ear probe or remove it from a single nail.

Some patients do wear makeup and that has never bothered me, as long as they are aware that it may not look great eg due to rubbing off or taping of eyelashes during a GA. Obviously whilst we look after your safety, we don't look after your makeup.

UnbornMortificado · 15/05/2017 04:52

Meh it's makeup. I had my normal amount on for a cervical stitch last month and will do at my section.

It doesn't deplete my love for my DC and makes me feel more human.

I've had 12 years of poor MH to contend with, I put on my face and face whatever comes most days.

MotherofA · 15/05/2017 04:57

I wore foundation and filled my brows but was told no nails / nail polish for oxygen levels so I had my nails soaked off .
There will be others there and you don't find out who is first second etc until you get there so yes you will want makeup on for that part probably . Good luck Smile

newbian · 15/05/2017 05:08

So people who have worn makeup - didn't you get lipstick/foundation on your baby when you first held and kissed him or her? Seems like something I wouldn't want on newborn skin.

KindraLamb · 15/05/2017 05:19

When I had a surgery ,make-up nail and polish are not allowed because according to the hospital staff it can affect the surgeon's ability to monitor the patient well being during surgery.

fizzingwhizbee · 15/05/2017 05:25

I had a planned section 3.5 weeks ago. I wasn't allowed any nail polish but I did wear light make up. Concealer, foundation and mascara.

I wore it because it's my routine, plus it gave me a bit of confidence on a day when I felt really nervous.

PrimeraVez · 15/05/2017 05:45

I didn't have a C-section but 2 days before my due date, I had a Shellac manicure and pedicure, a haircut, got my eyebrows threaded, waxed my legs and underarms and went for a scale and polish at the dentist. Only reason was, because I knew I wouldn't have time for any of it for a while once the baby arrived!

Hapaxlegomenon · 15/05/2017 05:54

I would do whatever makes you feel confident and in control. When I went into labour I got a leg wax, pedicure and manicure, and did my hair before I went into hospital. It made me feel like I was 'ready'.

ArgyMargy · 15/05/2017 06:01

Hilarious thread. OP you have advice from YOUR OWN MEDICAL TEAM. I would go with that rather than the internet. And take wipes in case you wake up with makeup falling down your face. Best of luck.

WanderingTrolley1 · 15/05/2017 06:22

Follow the advice of your healthcare team, OP.

Feelingkenty · 15/05/2017 06:24

I did it! One coat of a neutral shade of polish on finger and toe nails (ran out of time for a manicure/ pedicure before #2 so applied myself) and straightened my hair and applied a full face of light make up before planned c-sec earlier this year.

Photos still look like crap thanks to DHs photography skills (slightly better than the ones after DC1s traumatic birth) but it made me feel better and more in control focusing on that while waiting to go to the hospital.

I know it doesn't matter to anyone else and it is not important on the scheme of things but I didn't do it for anyone else's benefit.

Good luck OP!

Guitargirl · 15/05/2017 06:40

Am not really sure why you're asking OP. You have the advice from your medical team. You have had medical professionals on the thread give you different advice based on their experience. It's clear from your response that you will do what you want anyway. Why ask then? Confused

HandbagCrab · 15/05/2017 06:41

I wasn't able to clean my face for over 24 hrs after elcs so I'm glad I didn't have makeup on. The oximetry didn't work as well on my painted toenails as it did on my unpolished fingernails.

I bet no man has prepared for surgery by grooming or worried whether he was photo ready after abdominal surgery.

Firstdatesboxsets · 15/05/2017 06:45

It's fine, most women wear make up IME. I am an anaesthetist and I always check the pulse ox on nails before we start to check it's working. If not, then one comes off (polish not nail, it's not a big deal). If things are fine, I always offer to take a picture of the family in theatre after the baby is born so if it's important to you, for you to have your make up on, then do!

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 15/05/2017 07:00

I had an ELCS 3 weeks ago. Didn't wear polish or make up but only polish was forbidden in advance. I did wash and blow dry my hair in order to see me through the first couple of days. I cried in theatre (before they started, and with joy when baby arrived) so would have ruined make up. If make up isn't possible, I recommend eyelash curlers, they make the most of your eyelashes without any mascara.

susiestripes · 15/05/2017 07:01

So people who have worn makeup - didn't you get lipstick/foundation on your baby when you first held and kissed him or her? Seems like something I wouldn't want on newborn skin.

How precious Hmm
So never wear makeup or allow anyone with makeup on to kiss and cuddle a newborn?

It would be traces of makeup if anything atall. Not poison.

PossumInAPearTree · 15/05/2017 07:08

We like to say no false nails/nail polish so the Sats probe works ok. I haven't looked at someone's nail bed to assess oxygen sat levels for 20 years....we're a bit more high tech these days.

To be honest the sats probe works over polish. Our consultant anaesthetist reckons the probe should work over gel nails but IME it doesn't always. However we can always attach the probe to your ear lobe.

Saying that....do what your hospital tells you.

LapinR0se · 15/05/2017 07:10

I didn't want to have the faff of removing makeup having just had major surgery and with a newborn to take care of.
So two days before my c section I had a lash and brow tint, a facial and a pedicure. I had a mani too but no polish just a buff. I also had a bikini wax which I thought was fairly comprehensive but they shaved me in theatre anyway!!

LapinR0se · 15/05/2017 07:11

Ah yes and I had my hair cut & coloured the week before too

Screwinthetuna · 15/05/2017 07:14

I would have worn makeup as I hate my skin but my hospital have a strict no makeup/ no nail varnish rule.

UnbornMortificado · 15/05/2017 07:20

Possum I had too remove a couple of false nails a month back with a spinal.

If there was an emergency for the mother during surgery could polish,acrylics or even makeup hold anything up or risk anything been missed?

Sorry if that's a stupid question, I'm in slight panic mode already

ginflumpsandzebraprint · 15/05/2017 07:23

I has an emergency c-section and my mum brought my make up with her. Baby was out at 7:05 I got feeling back around 10:30 and was up, showered and in a clean nightie with my make up done by 12 ! It made me feel better and surely that's what counts.
If I had the chance to put on make up before my c-section damn right it bolsters me.

LindyHemming · 15/05/2017 07:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Headofthehive55 · 15/05/2017 07:25

Oh the sats probe will work, the question is the accuracy.
I'm a bit of a stickler for accuracy though,previously being a research scientist in the field of dyes / spectrophotometry (that's what sats probes are).

Like suggested, they could use an ear probe and I doubt very much that the accuracy needs to be spot on.