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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:
susiestripes · 15/05/2017 10:25

Just pissed me off seeing all the self righteous comments!

I personally wouldn't bother until the baby is born, and you have washed and feel clean and fresh.

You and the baby can be clammy, sweaty and covered in all sorts however the baby is born Grin in theatre they stick all sorts to your skin and put the antibacterial stuff all over you so you can feel a bit gross afterwards.

It helped me feel like I was back to normal tidying my hair up and putting some makeup on. I wasn't done up like I was going clubbing or anything, just light natural looking makeup and washed hair.

Guess that means I made the day all about me and I didn't prioritise my new baby because I look ten minutes to tidy myself up while my husband had a cuddle with his daughter Wink

Namebot · 15/05/2017 11:26

I couldn't agree more susiestripes

Furthermore, I saw a psychiatrist during pregnancy and he emphasised that certain things can help stave off post natal depression - getting out side, gentle exercise but also taking a few minutes doing hair/ makeup ( if that is something one usually does) to help you feel like yourself.

I'm still laughing at the horror that I wore mascara during my section though. I'm also still waiting to be told how this put make up above the health of my baby. 💅🏾

Gennz · 15/05/2017 11:44

I had a an ELCS 2.5 years ago for DS. Did my hair, put on my normal make up and get this - got a spray tan 😂 Self centred or what. Having stacked on 20kgs I needed all the help I could get.

The docs only said no nail polish/ waxing, make up wasn't mentioned.

Emlou07 · 15/05/2017 11:53

YANBU, but I was told to take mine off and was told nail polish isn't allowed

AceholeRimmer · 15/05/2017 12:02

Definitely agree that rather than take attention and care from the baby, it can contribute towards a mum feeling better quicker and being more able to be more efficient in caring for baby.
I felt such a mess after my section, one of the main things being having a wound drain attached to me so I had to do everything with this big bottle of old blood and material with me. I was dreading it being taken out as heard it was really painful. I kept putting it off... Then baby was asleep so decided to put my nail polish back on and some light make up. It made me feel a bit more alive and then I had the strength to deal with the drain (midwife let me pull it out myself!) which then meant I could have a shower and then finally could put some pj bottoms on instead of wandering around in my underwear with other peoples visitors around. I felt like I could deal with everything better. It's not that baby didn't get my care when I felt shit, it's just that he had a happier mum instead of feeling stressed. So many little things in life can have a big impact psychologically... making my bed makes me feel more ready for the day 😂

Iamastonished · 15/05/2017 12:15

Do people really do their nails in hospital? Wouldn't the fumes from the nail polish piss off the other new mums and babies?

SusieFlo · 15/05/2017 12:19

The guidance on this might vary by hospital. When I had a planned C-Section (at West Middlesex Hospital) I was given a set of instructions a couple of days ahead, which included a note requesting no make up or nail varnish. There were a few women having C sections that morning and one lady had toenail varnish on and she was made to take it off before she could be prepped for her op, and as a result she was last in the queue for the op.

I brought a make up bag with me in my handbag so that I could put on a little bit of slap after the op, for photos with the baby. They tend to do the planned c-sections early morning so I was in bed with the baby by 9am.

IamALEGOFigure · 15/05/2017 13:01

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/surgery/Pages/preparing-for-surgery.aspx

See under hygiene. A C- section is major abdominal surgery

greenkite0 · 15/05/2017 13:12

I had a section 11 weeks ago, wasn't allowed make up and my nail polish was taken off. The no make up I appreciated when it was 11 hours later and I was sweating like a pig from not being able to move

Original poster
sailorcherries · 15/05/2017 13:20

IamLEGOFigure I am well aware of the rules for surgery, having been under general anesthetic before.

As I have repeatedly said my midwife and anaesthetist consutant both said that light makeup was allowed because the operation was not done under general anesthetic.

And to repeat myself again, if the hospital had told me that makeup and nail polish were not allowed I would not be having ths conversation. However, as it is allowed as advised by my medical team, I was wondering whether others would do the same if they were in my position.

OP posts:
greenkite0 · 15/05/2017 13:24

Sorry but just because a midwife said it doesn't mean she will be there when you have your section. No midwife was with me when I had mine.
If you're wanting to know if others would wear make up, my answer would be no. You will be very sore, unable to move, tired, trying to feed and your mascara will be the last thing on your mind. I love the raw emotion in mine and my baby's first pictures. No make up will ever be able to come close to making it more special.
I was sweating after my section as I was unable to move, so it could just sweat off.

Jemimapuddleduk · 15/05/2017 13:24

My understanding is that they say no nail polish or make up is because they need to see the colour of your nails/lips if there was a medical emergency and you started to haemorrhage after the section. I had a large bleed after my planned section as I was being wheeled back up to the ward with my ds. Apparently I lost all colour.

lobsterface · 15/05/2017 13:33

Can't be bothered reading the entire thread now but be wary of lip balm and things. If you wind up with oxygen or being intubated it sticks to the mask etc and can peel a bit of skin off with it. Not nice.

lobsterface · 15/05/2017 13:37

Ps- I'd just wear it, not the nail polish though because of checking sats. I had a light nail polish on for a pre op a wee while ago and it interfered. Its not hard or lengthy to take off make up so you can play that by ear?

newbian · 15/05/2017 13:41

I feel like any claim that they need to see if you lose color doesn't make sense for dark skinned people...I've had several surgeries including a c section and never heard that. I don't go pale when I'm ill Hmm

LesLiaisonsDangereuses · 15/05/2017 13:47

They just want to see your skin, whatever skin tone you have!

IamALEGOFigure · 15/05/2017 13:55

sailor cherries - in your position I would not wear makeup or have nail varnish. I have had a c section and had surgical shock where monitoring is important

Google nail varnish and caesarian - you will see how many hospitals advise taking it off

AgathaMystery · 15/05/2017 14:00

YANBU.

I work in obstetrics and light makeup is absolutely fine. The advice you were given in your pre-op appointment is bang on.

Congrats in advance!

Sallystyle · 15/05/2017 14:03

I would wear my eyeshadow and eyeliner. I would probably put a small amount of face powder on as well. I would leave my nails clear.

I don't care if it seems vain, I would feel better and wearing minimal makeup (if I have been told it is ok) isn't a problem. Caked in makeup so they can't see if your colour changes is very different to wearing minimal makeup.

I did care about how I looked when all five of mine were born. I felt instantly better when fresh makeup went on, especially when photos were being taken. Happy to be vain!

Seriously, wearing a little bit of makeup is not going to cause harm to you or your baby.

Good luck for tomorrow Thanks

AgathaMystery · 15/05/2017 14:03

I meant to add - I wore light make up for my section, & I had gel nails (so naughty). It's really not a big deal. If we can't monitor Sats via a finger we use your ear lobe anyway.

I took makeup and Spanx and a hairdryer in to hospital and I used them all and I felt great! I had a Buck's Fizz too the next day.

Whatever you need to do to feel better, you do it. It worked for me, I had a great recovery and breastfed my DC for 30 months.

MarcelineTheVampire · 15/05/2017 14:07

I would check with the hospital as I wasn't allowed to wear nail polish or make up.

If you're allowed then go for it- I would have done!!!

Sallystyle · 15/05/2017 14:11

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.

Foundation shouldn't rub off.

I don't wear lipstick but I wouldn't find it a big deal if a bit of makeup rubbed off onto my baby. I would wipe it off again. I am sure the baby would cope.

I just feel sad that so many women have so little confidence that they must wear make up all the time to feel good about themselves.

My confidence is fine. I just like the way I look better with some make up on. I like to look good. I am also happy for people to see me without make up if I can't be arsed one day as well.

Original poster
sailorcherries · 15/05/2017 14:14

See my plan was a bit of concealer over my spots (predominantly on my chin/jaw line), a dusting of mineral powder to even it out, fill in the sparse bits of my eyebrows and a sweep of mascara. I always apply lip balm first thing in the morning as my lips are also horribly dry atm. A small sweep.

No blusher, no eyeshadow, no eyeliner, no lip liner, no lipstick/lip gloss, no contouring and highlighting (not that I can do that any way), no false lashes or nails etc.

greenkite again it was the midwife who worked on the post section ward, either looking after the women there or in the theatre. It was also the anesthesiologist. Not just some midwife in the hospital.

OP posts:
AppleOfMyEye10 · 15/05/2017 14:37

Yanbu op, I wore makeup . Foundation , concealer blush, light eye makeup. I didn't do mascara and eyeliner in case it ran/smudged. The day before my csec I went to the hairdresser and did my hair as I knew it might be sore to wash my hair after.
I see no Problem in wanting to feel good before and after. In fact looking at the photos taken during the delivery and after, I'm glad I made the effort!
Good luck with everything Smile

blue2014 · 15/05/2017 14:39

Why don't you do clear polish/French type thing? So they'll still be able to see? To be honest I doubt it matters but also don't assume you won't end up under GA. They couldn't numb me so I was minutes from a GA when it finally worked