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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Did anyone pack hair straighteners in there hospital bag?

75 replies

Chelle1986 · 08/09/2010 18:55

...Or is it just me??!

You see I only have to look at a bit of precipitation and my hair goes all 'poodlesqe'!!

Its not that I'm vain, I can quite happily go anywhere without any make-up on and stuff and don't plan to take make-up to hospital - but I need my straighteners?!!! Is this really stupid?

Cheers,

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

gingerkirsty · 09/09/2010 00:25

So I guess what I am saying is YES! definitely pack them! :)

seaturtle · 09/09/2010 00:34

Someone asked if they could bring straighteners to the hospital at antenatal class Q&A. I didn't bother with straighteners, but I had my make-up which made me feel a lot better on day 3 of 7 day post birth stay.

Three days before the birth, before I went in to be induced, I remember straightening my hair, putting on make-up and perfume. In the before photos DS's dad and I look like we're on our way out for the evening. We were first timers. We knew nothing....

Algebra18MinusPiEquals16 · 09/09/2010 00:36

I would've thought they'd not allow them, not just because of the general electrical testing issue, but because of the heat?

I've seen some pretty nasty GHD burns.

gingerkirsty · 09/09/2010 00:58

Just think Chelle if your baby inherits your unruly hair you will be able to straighten it for the photos!

bethjeff · 09/09/2010 01:09

I didn't take mine and wish I had... there is not one picture of me and dd post birth because (having horrendously low self image) I would burst into tears any time a camera came near me.

I felt dehumanised because I'd been through this traumatic experience, not to mention a pregnancy and looked nothing like myself. Didn't feel like myself.

It may sound daft but if I had them there, the very act of being able to do my hair would have made me feel more human.

Do it and have lovely pictures to look back on.

Bradyboo · 09/09/2010 08:00

When I had DC1 had had straighteners and a face pack in my bag as well as scented showergel and gorgeous body lotion to make me feel human afterwards and it worked. This time I am booked in for a Brazilian Blow dry (straighten and smooth your hair professionally and lasts 3 months) in Nov (due in Dec) so that it's one less thing to worry about.

strawberrycake · 09/09/2010 08:06

After spending the best part of a day having IV fluid pumped into me, days of labour and a large blood loss there was nothing on earth that would disguise I had a face swollen up like a dinner plate and hollow eyes, I didn't see the point of looking like a dinner plate with make-up!

nickschic · 09/09/2010 08:11

Ive had 3 dc and ive always done my hair and makeup etc whilst in hospital -and mine were all c-sections too.

Its just what your used to I think.

sophieandbelly · 09/09/2010 08:16

i say take gas ones, i didnt as i can tie mine back and clip/plait fringe so looks ok ish!! yes u may not feel like it, but then again u may so go for it, just cos others didnt feel up to it doesnt mean u wnt x

redbird79 · 09/09/2010 09:37

Surely ladies this is just about wehat is important for each person- like 'what did you pack in your hospital bag' and 'what baby stuff did you buy which was a waste of money' perhaps we are a tiny bit quick to judge! I am taking make-up, a hairbrush and bobbles, as well as nice toiletries. I wear make-up every day and have done since I was 14- there is no way I want such important photos to include me looking like a swamp monster. If you want to take straighteners, you go for it. Perhaps you could ask if electrical items can be brought in if you feel a bit weird about it? Surely you must be able to use plug sockets somewhere, if only to plug in phone chargers....

gingerkirsty · 09/09/2010 11:00

Who is being judgey redbird? I think the majority of other posters are agreeing with you!

elphabaisgreen · 09/09/2010 11:09

You definately won't be able to plug them in, everything in hospitals has to be PAT tested. The consequences of a faulty electrical item short circuiting the ward could be catastrophic.

StewieGriffinsMom · 09/09/2010 11:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

YunoYurbubson · 09/09/2010 11:32

1st baby - didn't take anything remotely 'beautifying' as I assumed I wouldn't give a crap what I looked like.

2nd baby - took some flash balm, lip gloss,hair stuff and a nice top. Really helped me to feel human again and would definitely take a few bits in again next time.

And I'm not even someone who wears makeup or 'does' my hair on a daily basis. I just really appreciated the lift of looking in the mirror and seeing something other than a grey, greasy, lumpen, bleeding, leaking, sagging, swollen hag in a snoopy nightie.

saucetastic · 09/09/2010 11:41

Don't forget your dry shampoo!

Giddyup · 09/09/2010 12:23

well, there were people at the beginning of the thread giving Chelle the whole "oh your first is it, ha ha, pop back and laugh at yourself later" "I have had 17 children in the worst possible circumstances and wouldn't have time to worry about my hair now that I'm a Mummy"- well maybe not exactly but...! But now lots of us have said that you are still you after you have given birth and if you want to look as nice as you can-go for it!So the thread is fairly balanced now but it wasn't last night.

redbird79 · 09/09/2010 12:36

Sorry, just read first page before comments- apologies to those who did agree!
Just having a bad morning I'm afraid...

Giddyup · 09/09/2010 12:58

poor redbird, some of the early replies were a tiny but condescending, or I am extremely hormonal! I felt they almost implied that to care about what you look like after you have given birth is silly or even a bit shallow.

NeatFreak · 09/09/2010 13:08

I didn't use mine in hospital but was able to tie it back.

I have rechargeable straighteners that don't need to be plugged in; they're not brilliant but are good enough to do my fringe (I carry them in my gym bag and they make my hair passable ) They didn't cost much and might be worth a try.

Miffster · 09/09/2010 14:45

I think it is a very psychologically healthy sign for a new mum to care enough to take a small amount of time to do something just for herself, that makes her feel good, after the birth. Straightening a fringe, putting on lip gloss, whatever it takes, it's important.

Look after yourself, cherish yourself, appreciate yourself and you can look after, cherish, appreciate others better.

Like they say on flights, in an emergency, put your own oxygen mask on before assisting others, including your own children, with theirs. Wise advice.

And if you don't use them, so what? they don't take up much space, its' not as if the OP wanted to take a footspa or something.

ilovesprouts · 09/09/2010 14:50

no i did not no ones gonna care about ya hair are they

PixieCake · 09/09/2010 15:03

I'm with you Chelle. I was planning to ask if there is a hospital hairdresser that can come round to my room!!!

adriennemole · 09/09/2010 21:00

I have weird hair it has to be straightened at all costs I also haven't worn make up outside the house for many years at the risk of scaring small children.
I've had 3 c sections and each time my make up was back on after about an hour and my hair straightened again the next morning (gas straighteners).
If your hair is as bad as mine not even abdominal surgery will stop you

sotough · 09/09/2010 22:02

Chelle i also didn't want my hair to look horrible, and i did care, even when i was in the middle of a 30+hour labour.
I didn't think about taking hair straighteners but i did wash and straighten my hair while i was in early labour and could still manage such things!
it's one of the reasons i didn't want a water birth - it would have meant horrible hair and i couldn't see when i'd get time to fix it. like you my hair turns to horrible frizz at the merest hint of moisture.
silly and shallow, i know, but if i think i look crap it gets me down and i wanted to feel as nice as possible.
why don't you get a Brazilian blow dry (if you have frizzy hair you're probably familiar with the treatment, but in case you're not, it has nothing to do with your lady bits; it's a hair straightening treatment) before your due date? some of the treatments on the market, eg, the one you can get at Nicky Clarke, are safe during pregnancy. then you won't need to worry about your straighteners, and it will save you loads of time after you have baby..

KatyS36 · 09/09/2010 22:03

If packing them will make you happy then pack them :)

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