Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

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

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

To wear make up in labour or not???

85 replies

babyfev · 15/05/2013 13:50

This might sound bad and Im sure when im in labour my priority will not be how I look! However I always feel more confident and with my makeup on and hair done, am I being completely ridiculous even thinking about putting makeup on for labour?

What did you do or have you thought about it? xx

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Wishwehadgoneabroad · 15/05/2013 13:52

hahahahaha.

Have a

Trust me, when you're in agony and possibly think you are dying with the pain, the last thing you will give a shit about is how you look.

It doesn't sound bad, it sounds ridiculous!

Focus on your new baby instead. HTH.

kotinka · 15/05/2013 13:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

babyfev · 15/05/2013 13:59

haha i know you are right, just for the record im not some plastic looking person I as just meaning a little bit to make me feel better!! However im guessing it will be the last thing on my mind :) xxx

OP posts:

Locketjuice · 15/05/2013 13:59

All the way through ds1 pregnancy I said as long as I'm wearing my make up and my hairs straightened I don't care,

Contractions started at 6pm by 2am I had been in and out of the bath around 4 times hoping it would help each time (it didn't) got to hospital at around 6am and had him at exactly 6pm that evening 24 hours after strong contractions started I couldn't have given two shits what my foundation was looking like I presume after the 2nd possibly third it was all running down my face anyway!

MrsLyman · 15/05/2013 14:00

I didn't wear make up in labour (induced both times) but I would say that labour can be quite a physical sweaty business, and maternity wards are generally ridiculously hot to keep the babies warm, so there is a high chance of any make up you do wear melting.

Locketjuice · 15/05/2013 14:00

Second possibly third bath*

UniqueAndAmazing · 15/05/2013 14:01

it's entirely up to you.

in my post birth pictures i look really really pale, with no make-up on (i odn't generally wear it)

there's no harm in wearing it - no one's doing anything to your face, and if it makes you feel better then go for it.

I didn't cry or puke or anything, and minimal sweat, so i can't see it would be messy at the end (maybe not foundation in case they need to see how pale you are)

knackeredmother · 15/05/2013 14:01

When I worked in obstetrics there were always some labouring mums who came in fully made up. They weren't the norm but I was always impressed how they managed it.

UniqueAndAmazing · 15/05/2013 14:01

oh, but don't bother with hair - mine was a complete crow's nest!

MrsLyman · 15/05/2013 14:06

It probably will be the last thing on your mind, but don't feel bad for asking about it though, labour and birth is such a big unknown and quite daunting prospect that most women think about random things like this when they're pregnant the first time, even those that are completely focused on their babies

bonzo77 · 15/05/2013 14:08

Disclaimer: have had both mine by CS, no labour.

I looked and felt a bit shit after having mine. Took make up with and put it on as soon as I was able. And used my GHDs on the ward

TobyLerone · 15/05/2013 14:09

I'll be making an effort this time.

The photos after DS was born aren't too bad, but in the ones after DD's birth I look horrendous to the point where I don't really want to look at them. I'm bright red and my hair was dragged off my face by my mum in between contractions into two plaits

So I'll be putting a bit of makeup on and not allowing my mum to touch my hair! I will also make sure I look in a mirror before I let anyone near me with a camera.

TobyLerone · 15/05/2013 14:11

And FWIW it's not a stupid thing to ask at all. I'm not sure why a few answers have been a bit derisive.

Trishstar · 15/05/2013 14:11

I never went into labour, I went in for monitoring for reduced movement and had to have DS via EMCS. I had put makeup on before leaving the house as I just thought we'd go for lunch after the monitoring had been done!

All that anyone in the hospital commented on was my makeup (after my son was safe of course!)

Original poster

babyfev · 15/05/2013 14:15

Thank you TobyLerone :)

Theres been some good advice here ladies, thank you x

OP posts:

TinkyPeet · 15/05/2013 14:15

I'm just putting a couple of bits in for afterwards x

TryDrawing · 15/05/2013 14:16

I'd do as others have said and take it to put on afterwards, if you feel like it. After all, if you have a long labour, your make-up won't be looking good for most of it anyway.

And it's not your face they'll be concentrating on

TerrysNo2 · 15/05/2013 14:16

Oh good, its not just me that laughed hilariously at this concept

I don't wear much make up normally but I would think this is the least of your worries! During my labour, my usual prudish self, was half naked and going to the toilet whilst screaming at chatting to my midwife.

I did however shave my legs and straighten my hair in the early stages :)

BeanoNoir · 15/05/2013 14:16

Why don't you get eyebrows and eyelashes tinted beforehand, wear waterproof mascara and tinted moisturiser and a lip stain e.g. benetint. Surely that can't get too battered, you will feel a bit more 'done' but not overly made up or likely to end up with it all over your face.

MisselthwaiteManor · 15/05/2013 14:19

Its not ridiculous to think about this stuff. I'm not going to bother because I don't often bother day to day, and I imagine it gets sweaty and uncomfortable, but I am packing some in my hospital bag for afterwards, in case of photographs and visitors. It's my first though so I have literally no idea what to expect or how I'll feel at the time.

TerrysNo2 · 15/05/2013 14:19

However, if it makes you feel good in the early stages then no reason not to!

googietheegg · 15/05/2013 14:20

This mattered to me too. Not in a crazy vain way, just enough to feel good about my pics. I had my eye lashes and brows tinted and bought waterproof eyeliner (revlon colourstay) and wore benetint on lips and cheeks with lansinoh as lip balm. I had a bath in early labour and washed and babyliss bighaired my hair. Even after a 36 hour labour I don't look too rough in the photos! I also showed my DH how to tie my hair back without getting kinks in it!!! I also did manicure and pedicure in early labour!!!

limetictacs · 15/05/2013 14:22

I'll be putting make up on/doing my hair after labour for the first pics as when I had DS I looked bloody awful.
I have, however, done my finger and toe nails and shaved in preparation (also it's something to do to take my mind off the long wait for DD to make an appearance).

Bunbaker · 15/05/2013 14:26

It never occurred to me to be quite honest, but I don't wear make up at home anyway. It never occurred to me to take any to the hospital either.

I hate the thought of having make-up on and sweat pouring down my face. I can feel my pores blocking up at the thought of it. OH was mopping my face anyway and any make-up I might have been wearing would have been wiped off anyway.

Smeary make-up is not a good look.

TheCountessOlenska · 15/05/2013 14:28

I am v impressed googie .

Flip

1 2 3 4

Swipe left for the next trending thread