C section and pedicure

[londonlostsheep]

I’ve had mixed messages about this from the consultant and midwives. In your experience, was it ok to have nail varnish (not gel / acrylic) on your toes for your planned c section? Planning to leave fingernails without any varnish.

Yes I did. One of them complimented the colour 🤣 they sad it’s fine just leave finger nails natural

I was always told it had to be removed for a CS but I ended up having an emergency CS and they left it on. Obviously they don't have time to remove it in an emergency! I would leave them bare and just have a nice non Polish pedicure before you go in. You honestly won't care about your toes when you've had numerous medics looking and poking around up your chuff!

Yes I had a gel pedicure before mine, But left my fingers bare, it was fine!

Once your hands are clear it's fine x

It’s fine. If they need to they have nail varnish remover available so can take it off one of the nails.

I work in theatres. The reason we don't want nail polish on is because it messes with the pulse oximeter of whichever finger it's on. Since it's a rarity you'd ever have one on your toes it's fine to have painted toes. If anything we'll comment on how lovely they look. Just leave your finger nails bare.

I didn’t know that, thanks for explaining why.

i has a Pedi before both of my DC were born and it was fine

They managed to pull these knee high socks for both emeergency sections I had so doubt they need to do anything with your toes.
But they did complimènt on my red nails so I got that working for me.
I did remove nail polish from finger nails as soon as labour started and one nurse was quite happy to be able to squeeze my finger day later and check colour returning as I lost a lot of blood.

Thanks all, feeling very reassured!

They removed my toe nail varnish 🤣🤣 took me ages to get them painted.....9 months pregnant and not very flexible 🤣

That's interesting.

I can recall when I was wheeled down for epidural for forceps that I had to sign a consent form in case they needed to do emergency c section and they appeared with nail varnish remover and wiped the polish from my toes.

This was more than 20 years though.

I was also told for planned c section no make-up.

My hair looked great though 😂

I assure you it is no longer the case. At least in my trust. My trust is of the opinion it's a waste of nail polish remover and therefore money. However, it wouldn't surprise me if it was still a policy in some places. And some nurses are militant about such things if that is was what they were taught .

Another thing my trust isn't fussed about that, though I can see why. If you're going pale/blue it's good to be able to see that.

Re nails - verdict remains out on whether it really makes a difference. Dark colours/metallic probably do, pale colours probably not so much. Sats aren't the most useful parameter we measure anyway and are affected by lots of things other than oxygenation - most sensible HCPs will be aware of the limitations and use common sense assessing patients with nail varnish on. In theatres/critical care areas we have sats probes for the ear so if there's genuine diagnostic confusion and sats are crucial those are helpful.
Re make-up... dark lips might make it more tricksy to spot cyanosis. If someone ends up needing a GA, then the make-up may get messed up and look ridiculous by the end. False lashes are particularly at risk because to protect someone's corneas from damage whilst asleep we tape eyes closed...it's not 100% unheard of for falsies to come off with the tape (we try not to remove them but it's not always possible). Lots of moisturiser can make it difficult to get monitoring/dressings to stick.

I had an ELCS, I had gel on my fingers and toes. Midwife at my pre-op was a horrible creature and made a huge deal about it, no one in theatre mentioned it to me.