beauty worries!

[pammily]

I am worried about my db seeing me without make-up during childbirth. I do tend to wear it quite heavy, so should be OK, but would be grateful for any tips for keeping it in place. Also it would be good to know if there is any point during childbirth where medical staff might want to remove it against my will - should I mention to my midwife that I would not want this to be done?

good luck with the reapplying!

I looked like a sack of s* afterwards I had burst blood vessels on my forehead and neck, to be honest I didn't care I had done it, given birth to a beautiful baby sod everything else.

Bugaboo, spritzing your hair with lavender water (L'Occitane do a really nice one which smells very natural and lasts) will help you feel relaxed and keep any grease at bay.
Pammily, Lancome mascara needs a chisel to get it off if you don't want to go the eyelash tinting route.
MI is right to emphasise HAIR. Brilliant idea to get it cut and/or tinted beforehand, it does such wonders for your self-confidence.

This has been really helpful. Bugaboo, you hit the nail on the head, the Michelle Fowler look is exactly what I want to avoid. I don't think I wear too much make-up, but the occasional comments I get has made me realise that, to other people, it probably seems a bit on the heavy side.

I'm due on 24 December so still have plenty of time to sort things.

pammily, the only way I can relate to your anxiety is by imagining what I would feel like if I was told I had to go to work in a business suit but without any makeup, but I second hester's comments and I really believe Nature makes new mothers look beautiful, with their joy and the hormones. It may be that you have already thought about this, and if so, sorry, but I just wanted to say that there is no rule or moral requirement that your db be present during labour if you feel that it will make you too self conscious - his role in being there should be to support you, not to exercise any right to watch how your baby is born. Have you been to any antenatal classes yet with him, or discussed what he should expect?

Hi Pammily

I know how you feel, I was talking to mum just today with regards to ensuring she had my lipstick to hand during labour! Like most people here, she laughed and said oh I don't think you'll care about that, which if I don't, fine, but unless I undergo a severe personality change the minute I go into labour then I'm expecting to still care.

My foundation is already 'resistent' to pretty much everything (Helena Rubinstein Spectacular Make up), Maybeline waterproof mascara and brown eye liner (for eyebrows). My lip colour stains anyway and I intend to take a lip balm to smooth over lipstain as it has a nice sheen but is soothing.

A close friend uses a lot of make up to the degree that if she walked past me in the street without, I wouldn't know her. She managed her labour with make up in tact and looked fab before and after birth and in all the photos. It takes 30 seconds to top up face with powder and lipstick which, provided you get a chance to apply your make up before going to hospital, should see you through.

Giving birth will be the most important day of my life, and from my point of view, having lipstick and mascara etc applied is one LESS thing to worry about

I don't know about yours but my DP won't be seeing my placenta and body contents during labour, he'll be up my end!!! I would like a sex life again...or am I being really naieve about that one!

Pammily - I don't really care how I look just after labour but do in the weeks after I have the baby so have decided to treat myself to a St Tropez tan, a manicure and a pedicure a few days before I am due (hoping he doesnlt arrive early!!) - not only will I look healthy and hopefully thinner but it will be nice and relaxing too!!

hmm naive about what he sees effecting your sex life yes. What generally effects your sex life is the womans lack of energy/sleep/libido.

I'm with the how can you live your life without your dh/dp seeing you without your makeup. And any of you who can manage makeup all the time afterwards can you come and visit so that I can find time to do something like shave my legs occasionly.

(oh and even at the head end there is normally some gor within vision)

Message withdrawn

artyjoe, ah sex.......... the thought is there almost every night......then I fall asleep

My dear sister said that when the baby starts sleeping for more than 4 hours then I'll be more inclined to booze and shag!

I'm treating myself to a BATH today instead of a quick shower.

DP says he fancies me more after seeing what my body was capable of during labour, he said it hasn't put him off at all (and he saw everything!)

have just seen this thread. surely you are having a laugh, pammily? who cares what you look like when you are giving birth? you are producing a new life! you will be in so much pain, you really will not give a sh*t what you look like! honestly, when I was in labour, if someone had said to me I cld have it over with that second in exchange for being 5 stone overweight the rest of my life, I'd have happily - gratefully - have taken up the offer! Sorry if this isn't what you want to hear, but I'm not joking.

And once you've got a baby to look after, your personal maintenance regime will be whittled down to the bare essentials, believe me. I manage foundation, blusher, curled eyelashes and undereye concealer every day ONLY with an iron will (kids are 2 and 5 months). Your DP should feel lucky to have you so bothered about it in the first place, IMO.

I have a 10 month old and i'm 31. My skin has never been particulary dry or oily and i've never felt the need to moisturise my face. Although I'm starting to feeling increasingly worried as all my friends talk about the latest facial moisturiser products etc but whenever I use these things, i get spots / blackheads / irritated skin. Does everyone use facial moisturisers at my age or is it all a farce?? Is there anyone out there who doesn't moisturise than can offer my any supporting advice?

Ermmm....

Perhaps you should arrange for someone else to be with you other than your dp because seriously, there is nothing more undignified than childbirth, and not because it's difficult to keep one's make-up in place!

honestly by December you won't worry about this because you'll be larger and heavier and just glad of a comfy seat.

Don't paint nails as they'll take it off if you go into theatre, they'll prob want you to take off make up during natural labour as well. Don't wear theatre makeup as its clogging and you'll just have a nasty breakout afterwards.

You're doing the most incredible thing. Your DH will not be there thinking "crickey she's less of a babe without her lippy", more likely he'll be thinking "blimey, how is she doing this I'm so proud"

... but yes I did have mascara for the post-birth photos. I am a girl after all.

One of my best friends has photos of her during labour. Pefect make-up and hair. Her lippy didn't even smudge! In her opinion an epidural was the key to looking good during labour.

I think when your dp sees whats going on down below your face will be the least of your worries.

Guys, I think our advice may be a little late by now...unless she has had an unusually long labour, pammily's child will be about two and half by now!

lol!!

i dont think your db will rally care what you look like i think he ll be more anxious about the birth and meeting his baby. you can put more makeup on when had baby

another idea put some fake tan on few days before you due so if make up does come off at least you wont look pale, thats wheat i intend to do.ill let you know if it happens though

Do you live together? I was just wondering, cos I live with my DH and can't imagine how I would avoid him seeing me without makeup.

If it is a worry to you then do tell the MW.

Have just noticed that this thread is from 04! Wonder how she went on.