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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:
BlahBlahBlahEtc · 15/05/2017 14:43

You're not allowed make up and nail polish. They need to keep an eye on your skin tones etc.

anon1987 · 15/05/2017 14:47

I applied makeup and did my nails 2 hours before I gave birth whilst I was in labour with contractions 4 mins apart.
It made me feel 'normal'
Do whatever makes you happy Smile

Original poster
sailorcherries · 15/05/2017 14:55

blahblahblah again I have been told I am allowed. If I were not allowed this thread wouldn't exist.

blue the thought of needing to go under GA has me panicked beyond all belief, so while it is a possibility I am not entertaining it just now. During my emcs he numbness didn't take effect until the last minute either :( I was going to use a very translucent pink colour, you can still see the nail underneath but it a) makes me feel together as I know it's there and b) stops me biting my nails (I'm a stress biter).

OP posts:
DidILeaveTheGasOn · 15/05/2017 15:01

Speaking from having had two sections...

Nail varnish is an important one. They can tell a lot by looking at the colour of your nails during surgery.
I had make up on for my last section, which was a planned one. In response to the person who said this will be the last thing on your mind, love, well, my face being neutrally made up was the last thing on their minds, love. And it made me feel ever so slightly less vulnerable/scared. I also did my hair as I normally would. If stuff like this matters to you on a daily basis, it's not going to suddenly cease to be important when you're going into an operating theatre. Your own oxygen mask first, and all that. You are still a person. You are allowed to take care of yourself. I would suggest any surgeon or doctor that peered at you and got you to cleanse away a simple, neutral make up look would be a bit of a tyrant and quite possibly in the wrong career. There's a lot to be said for kindness.

Good luck, op. Do your usual low key make up but leave off your nail varnish. Bollocks to what anyone else thinks, quite frankly. This is you about to go through this experience. Providing its not unsafe, it should be fine.

GreyBird84 · 15/05/2017 15:18

I'm booked in this week
& ive been told no nail polish & no make up.

Saying that I am considering a tinted moisturiser or a very minimal layer of fake tan just to tone down my red acne for pics.

StealingYourWiFi · 15/05/2017 15:24

I work alongside the anaesthetist for sections.

Depends on the hospital as to whether makeup is allowed, it doesn't bother us to be honest. I also get to take lots of pictures for the parents so I know I myself would like makeup! It's not unusual to feel very hot and sicky once baby is out, you might get a bit of a sweat on, so something to bear in mind. Have you considered a lash tint? This means no mascara needed so no runny eye makeup. I wouldn't worry with hair, they will make you wear a theatre hat.

Light coloured polish is absolutely fine, it's actually the darker colours that cause problems with the oxygen monitoring.

Congratulations! Grin

Mia1415 · 15/05/2017 15:24

I wore make-up when I had mine (nail polish wasn't allowed at my hospital).

The only thing I was asked to remove was my contact lenses Sad in case I had to have a general.

Original poster
sailorcherries · 15/05/2017 15:28

Mia I need to wear glasses too, although unless driving/working etc then my eyesight isn't too bad. I'm just happy it means that anything over the curtain will have a slight blurred look to it anyway, stopping any unwanted memories should I happen to glance anything.

Stealing I had considered a lash tint but I'm due in at half 7 tomorrow morning and taking DS to dinner tonight so no chance of that. My mascara is quite waterproof anyway, it's my eyeliner that always smudges (and isn't getting applied). My makeup never seems to slide off in the heat because it is quite a sheer mineral powder (or I've just never noticed).

OP posts:
NoDramasPlease · 15/05/2017 15:37

I'm surprised they've said your allowed tbh. I'm having keyhole surgery tomorrow and have been told absolutely no make up/nail polish. I wouldn't anyway as I work in theatre myself and know the importance of clean skin/sterile environment in the prevention of post op infections. I do sympathise though as I suffer hormonal acne and hate being make up free.

LesLavandes · 15/05/2017 15:41

I suggest you call the ward and check what their policy is.

Chocolateorangegoblin · 15/05/2017 15:45

I wore a full face of make up for my ELCS as I had horrendous acne, if I had been asked to remove it I would have cried! Luckily no one said anything. I would maybe just do clear varnish on your nails?
I had make up in for my first labour which ended in an EMCS too.
I wear make up everyday due to my shit skin, being in hospital didn't make any difference to my normal routine!

DidILeaveTheGasOn · 15/05/2017 16:52

Nowt wrong with doing your hair unless it'll go nuts under a hairnet. I did my usual super sleek bob and it was immaculate. Actually pretty cool as I needed to be professional and strong following surgery as had a bit of a mixed bag of midwives and having my hair perfect and my cosmetics with me gave me a bit of my pre op self back so I could be a person and not on the receiving end of... Well. The NHS when you're a woman having a baby.

blue2014 · 15/05/2017 17:03

Sounds good to me OP Smile best of luck I'm sure you will be absolutely fine Flowers

LouHotel · 15/05/2017 17:36

I got a pedicure and manicure before my due date and did plan to fake tan but she arrived before i could apply, in all my pictures i look like casper the ghost but didnt worry about it at the time.

Fl0ellafunbags · 15/05/2017 19:28

Sorry if I sounded harsh back there. Think I'm just bitter that the doctors made me take all my makeup off. The biggest mistake I ever made was looking in a full length mirror the day after c-section

Fl0ellafunbags · 15/05/2017 19:30

Sorry posted too soon.

After cs number 2. It wasn't pretty.

velvetcandy · 15/05/2017 19:34

Ergh make up will be sweated off in minutes when that anaesthetist is trying to get that needle in your back. I think it sounds a bit silly tbh. I've had 4 CS make up is the last thing I'd be worried about!

2014newme · 15/05/2017 19:38

Obviously you may go into labour before the date of the planned section anyway. I did so it was an emergency section.

Didn't have time at 2am to do make up but I had en suite bathroom in hospital and had my hairdryer etc.
Goi

DidILeaveTheGasOn · 15/05/2017 19:51

It's not silly at all, don't be bothered about that. Since when was personal comfort, feeling prepared and confident a bad thing? I didn't sweat when they were doing the epidural and it took them half an hour. I had basic make up on, like the op has described. I'm sickened that someone would rubbish the op's concerns with so much vigour. A c section is a big deal and you have to approach it in the way that works for you. If a little light make up will help, go for it. Some people need to get a grip.

Original poster
sailorcherries · 16/05/2017 11:11

Thank you everyone.
Just an update - sitting on the ward and I should be down in less than an hour. No one has mentioned makeup, although it's really not heavy at all, and my pale slightly glittery nail polish has been approved.

OP posts:
MrsRyanGosling15 · 16/05/2017 11:26

Good luck! I'm going for my 4th section tomorrow and as with all the others I will spend today getting my colour done at the hairdressers, nice long bath, eyebrow wax, shave legs/underarms etc. at 7am tomorrow I will be doing my hair and make up and couldnt care what anyone thinks. If my entire medical team fail to see my deterioration because of a bit of make up, I would be seriously worried about their abilities.

witsender · 16/05/2017 11:33

Best of luck, hope it goes smoothly. Smile

Fl0ellafunbags · 16/05/2017 13:03

Good luck. Get peppermint water to restart the old digestion and enjoy wearing those pretty socks to stop you getting a DVT.

Looking forward to hearing your birth announcement.

ineedwine99 · 16/05/2017 13:52

Good luck OP

DidILeaveTheGasOn · 16/05/2017 15:21

Aw lovely, good luck op. My elective section was such a glorious experience after my emcs the first time round. Pure magic. All the best x

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