Tips for feeling good about myself post birth

[StarStruK]

I’m not sure if this is the right place to post and I realise it might come across as if I’ve got my priorities very wrong. But, I’m having my second child in a couple of weeks and I’m having a c-section after a pretty traumatic delivery 2 years ago that left me with ongoing complications and ptsd as a result.
I’m feeling much better about this already, but I’m so keen to try and feel better about myself over the coming weeks. I have no photographs of myself with my daughter in the early days because I refused any photos as believed I looked awful and I felt so low. I deeply regret that now. Basically, I think what I’m asking, is what little things can I do in preparation for birth/life with two little ones that may make me feel a bit more human? I was thinking about making sure I’ve had a good hair cut and maybe get my eyelashes tinted? I’ve got 6 weeks...

Definitely get a good , easy to manage haircut. Also put aside clothes that are likely to fit after the birth , I had some loose "swing" dresses that were a godsend when I still had a postpartum tum but wanted to ditch maternity wear.

Get a pedi (if medically allowed) before birth, personally I wouldn’t go shellac unless you plan to maintain, as you can’t remove at home. Do some exercise if you can and eat healthily so you feel in good physical shape before the birth. Maybe treat yourself to some nice shirt dresses and comfy, flattering leggings - there is an article on The Pool about shirt dresses this week - hide a multitude of sins, bang on trend and convenient for breastfeeding. A nice glowy B.B. cream will make you feel more human for the photos - others, who are more expert can recommend a good brand. A nice lip balm? I find hospitals really hot and drying for my lips. Actually if you are breastfeeding that purple lanolin nipple cream is an amazing lip balm 😂.

Some nice dressy chunky necklaces

What I done first week home , when expecting visitors was wear black leggings , longline black vest and a boxy slouch Top , say in grey or nude .
This was super comfy yet still looked put together
Then when I knew I had visitors I would pop on a nice statement necklace just to dress up the top

( I understand this isn’t for everyone but I’m quite dressy generally and would never have sat in pjs for guests )

Roots done
Nails neat tidy painted if time

Nice boots and trench coat, even chucked over the top of T-shirt & jeans, they smarten it up.

Easy to manage hair, washed when possible ;)

Look after your skin, slap some moisturiser on whenever you get a minute, helps keep skin fresh and clean looking

I bought some new lipgloss and blusher so I could look nice quickly. Some decent basic tops so I didn’t feel like I was slobbing about too much and some decent stylish trainers to wear with jeans for walking about with pram. Good luck.

You’re like me!
I’m going in for a section next week. I’ve bought some new makeup too and will make sure I bring it to the hospital this time! Would really like to feel good about having a photo taken.
I’m going to get my eyebrows done the day before and maybe lashes too... I am going to clarify at the pre-op but I think all nail varnish has to be removed, which is rather upsetting but I will repaint asap! Have put a bottle in the hospital bag... 🙈 that might be wishful thinking!

Check about having your nails painted - I believe many places will make you remove nail polish before an operation so they can see how pale your nail bed is (or something.)
I'm planning on having my hair cut and brows done in the weeks before I'm due. And I'm setting aside a bit of money to get a haircut and colour a month or so after the birth. Not great for the new baby pics, but something to look forward to.
Interested to know if you can get your lashes tinted as that would be dead handy.
I've put dry shampoo, cc cream, eyebrow pencil and dior glow lip-miracle-worker on my hospital bag list as it takes about 3 seconds to apply - mostly without a mirror- and makes me feel vaguely presentable at the best of times.

Sorry Igot you already said about the nail polish, I'd missed that somehow!

Hi OP,

I'm 10 days post-section and it sounds like my own first birth experience was similar to yours (also 2 years ago tomorrow - traumatic, left me with some physical heath issues & PND, all now resolved fortunately).

Firstly, the c-section will be soooo much better & quicker, so you'll anyway feel better than last time.

This time I did the following;

• had my hair cut & colour retouched
• washed & straightened the night before
• painted toenails
• gave myself a manicure but trimmed nails short & didn't use polish: easier to maintain afterward
• epilated (have a machine at home)
• did an acid face peel and body scrub the day before

I then took my clarins beauty flash balm, YSL touche éclat & crème cheek/lip tint with me to the hospital. Takes all of 5 mins to apply but made me look and feel a lot brighter (I normally wear makeup everyday but wasn't up for doing the full routine post-op).

Also took some leggings and jumper dresses with me into hospital and got dressed everyday as soon as I was able; I didn't like shuffling around in pjs and a dressing gown.

Best if luck!

I get it OP. I think it’s important for some people to do this stuff - it’s just a form of self care.

I had a pedicure the week before with red polish (it lasts on my toes longer than finger nails).

I painted my nails when my DD was asleep on me and I couldn’t move!

I wore tinted moisturiser, an eye crayon which can be liberally applied, I like benefit Dandelion Blush as it’s natural but makes you look alive, and the burts bees tinted lip balm. So simple, natural and can be applied one handed without a mirror!

Hands are also quite important especially if you’re washing them loads. A good handcream in a nice fragrance will make you feel good.

I avoided wearing perfume until breastfeeding was established but after that broke out some of my softer perfumes. My favourites at this time were the Bath house perfume range which is very natural and lovely and light. I also got into Yardley florals and light colognes.

I cut my hair a bit shorter so it would be quicker to dry and style.

I also stocked up on natural bath salts and had a lot of baths which helped the healing process and was like a mini pampering session.

I also spent a lot of time in my lovely White Company dressing gown watching Netflix and eating chocolate which made me feel good!

Hi op
I had a section 7 weeks ago. In prep, I had my colour done and a good blow-dry. Painted my finger and toe nails, and applied my make up so I looked good in the photos! I treated myself to a few new tops to wear after, and also new PJ's and matching dressing gown for hospital and for lounging in at home. Big comfy knickers too. I took make up with me to hospital. Good luck op, spoil yourself, I always think if you look nice on the outside you'll feel better

I painted my nails, and got my eyebrows and hair done pretty close to my due date so I didnt have to worry about it afterwards for a while. Comfy black leggings and joggers rather than sitting about in pjs.

Took my usual makeup and my hair straigtners with me. Helped me feel more like myself after the birth and was definitely worth it.