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Original poster

Nail polish and C Sections

26 replies

CupcakeFanatic · 01/01/2014 21:06

I was just wondering whether nail polish on fingernails and/or toenails needs to be removed before a C Section (either planned or emergency) is conducted on you? Does anyone know the answer to this question?

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HalfPintPickle · 01/01/2014 21:08

I had to take mine off for my section. And no hair bands/ grips etc etc.

lotsofcheese · 01/01/2014 21:08

I've had 2 emergency c-sections & had to remove it both times. I'm sure they'd not care for a crash section though.

PeanutPatty · 01/01/2014 21:08

Mine was removed both times.

choccyp1g · 01/01/2014 21:12

It's the same for any operation. I think they look at the colour under your fingernails to check oxygen levels in your blood, while you are unconscious or sedated.

spookyskeleton · 01/01/2014 21:12

Not sure about a crash c-section but I had an emergency one, but not a crash one iyswim, so had time for preparation. The midwife took my nail polish off and shaved the top of my pubic hair! Was gutted about the nail polish as I had only put it on the day before as a way of cheering me up as I was a week overdue and obviously it was a rush job so all my photos in hospital have my nails looking like sh*t...trivial I know

Suzietwo · 01/01/2014 21:13

Mines been left on for two emergency sections....but I do remember something happening about it all. Vaguely. In the midst of drugs.

EdithWeston · 01/01/2014 21:14

If by crash you mean the rare occasions when it is done under GA as there's no time to wait for epidural, then varnish will definitely be removed.

SandyChick · 01/01/2014 21:16

I had to remove mine when I was being booked into delivery.

KarenHL · 01/01/2014 21:18

I had an ELCS in Spring 2014. My toenails were polished, and it wasn't an issue.

I do wonder if it was because I had an epidural/spinal (so was awake throughout).

If a planned CS you should have an appt beforehand to discuss - that should be a good time to raise it.

I had an awful, complicated pg - my one and only pedicure about a week before my elcs made me smile every time i saw my Feet. I was warned on The day it might need to Come off but it was Ok in the Event.

Mikkii · 01/01/2014 21:19

Same hospital, first time planned section, had to remove it, second time emergency section but not crash, not removed. I was surprised.

Meglet · 01/01/2014 21:22

They removed mine for my emergency section. It was an 'all hands on deck' type situation, really rushed.

I just had to make sure I took it off myself before my planned c-section.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 01/01/2014 21:23

I used to be an Operating Theatre nurse, and we had to ensure that patients had no nail polish on, because the anaesthetist needed to see your nails, to judge oxygenation. Now they use a device called a pulse oximeter, which clips onto the finger or toe - and nail polish can cause false readings, which could be seriously hazardous.

AdoraBell · 01/01/2014 21:23

Mine was removed for me as I was being assessed for me emergency c-section. It's because they can see early signs of things like shock in the nails, so they need To be visible. Something To do with blood flow that I don't fully understand.

Suzietwo · 01/01/2014 21:24

I won't bother getting apedi before my next section then! Handy, ta

AnitaManeater · 01/01/2014 21:26

Have had 2 crash sections under GA. The nail polish on my toes remained in place both times . Didn't have it on my fingernails. Hair remained in a hairband, jewellery stayed on including my rings. Even my nighty stayed on! It was v quick though, last thing I remember was the theatre nurse holding my head still as I was shaking with shock, next thing I know was waking up to spot DP wheeling DS2 in!!

AdoraBell · 01/01/2014 21:30

Mine was Applied for me the day before, hands and feet as DH was paying for pedicuros because of me not being able To reach my feet for 5 months. Looked lovely, right up úntil they whipped it off. I remember thinking -

Well that was a waste of money.

PosyNarker · 01/01/2014 21:31

It's to do with the instrument they use to measure your pulse and blood oxygen and isn't childbirth specific.

I got told off for having polish when I was admitted with bowel problems but was apparently 'lucky' that the gadget worked. Because of course I totally planned getting admitted with a fucking bowel obstruction before I painted my fucking nails and obvs put remover in my A&E bag

Anyway, if they need to use a fingertip pulse oximeter, best not to have the nail polish if avoidable.

picklesauce · 01/01/2014 22:31

Sorry to hijack thread but what do they do about acrylic and gel nails if you need an elcs or crash section?!

maybe I will go without around my due date just to be on the safe side!

IceNoSlice · 01/01/2014 22:36

Well, you learn something new every day. How interesting.

I had an EMCS and my toe nail varnish wasn't removed. I had a spinal and was awake throughout. There would have been time for someone to remove it, they just didn't. Wonder why not.

bebopanddoowop · 01/01/2014 22:44

Wow I had no idea, how interesting! Thanks SDT for explaining exactly why, too. Probably won't do my nails anywhere near my due date now 'just incase'

LunchLadyWannabe · 01/01/2014 22:44

I had gel nails when having my c section, it wasnt a problem, it was just left on.

Same with wedding rings, i couldnt get mine off, they just put a plaster over it

IAmTheOneWhoKnocks · 01/01/2014 22:51

Had no idea! I guess I won't be getting a gel polish for the occasion then!

Nursee007 · 01/01/2014 23:03

Pulse oximetry cannot work through any opaque nail varnish, and even through clear varnish or clear gel/acrylic/wrap nails can give dodgy or false readings. They work by shining a red light through your fingertip, some of which is reflected by the oxygen carrying molecules in your blood. The receptor on the underside of your finger determines the percentage of oxygen in your blood. Anything above 95% is healthy and normal for a non smoking adult. Anything below 92% and they will consider giving you oxygen. Toenails are generally not used to measure pulse oximetry but they may still want to remove the polish as they will want to maintain as sterile an atmosphere as possible. Nail Polish can flake or chip, so best for it not to be there at all if through choice.

LittlePeaPod · 02/01/2014 04:44

I had an ELCS this NYE (yeap this week) and I have acrylic nails with a gel polish colour on top on my fingers. I did take polish off my toes and but no one was bothered. In fact the anaesthetist commented on how nice my nails were.. So in my case none of the surgical team were bothered (MW through to consultants).

I actually had my nails done a couple of days before the ELCS because I knew it would be a few weeks before I could get them done again.

Want2bSupermum · 02/01/2014 04:58

You want to have no nail varnish as it is a good indicator of your blood flow. I had an EMCS with DD and they took off my nail colour before going in. Thank goodness they did because the last thing I remember is someone saying my nails were blue and doors to the side opening. I had preclampsia and crashed after they had removed DD. The 'crash' team were walking into the room and took over to stabilize me.

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