Birthing Makeup Can Be Dangerous For You
Lash extensions and full glam makeup can be risky when you're in labour. Here's what doctors say
It’s practically a rite of passage for celebrity mums giving birth: Having their post-birth photos splashed across social media (and tabloids), looking all fresh-faced and rejuvenated from the delivery room.
These days, “birthing makeup” or applying full faces of makeup in the delivery room is no longer just a thing among celebs. It has become a social media trend among influencers and everyday women too. For instance, influencer Cheryl Chin was seen with eyeshadow, lash extensions, and perfectly groomed brows in her post-labour pic.
Influencer MongChin Yeoh also gave birth in what looked like a full face of makeup.
For the feelings of confidence and empowerment it gives, we are all for birthing makeup.
So is Associate Professor Tan Thiam Chye, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, who has seen more women coming in with makeup during D-day (what he dubs “Delivery Day”). He shares that seeing them looking and feeling good perks him up and gives him positive energy too.
“Makeup wearing is a powerful empowerment for ladies to be in control of their body, which allows them to feel positive and in turn, to remember this precious D-day even more.”
Planning for birthing makeup? Know the risks
However, there are downsides to certain types of birthing makeup.
As you may know, not everything will go according to your birth plan, and there may be instances when surgical intervention, such as a caesarean, could be needed during emergencies.
Mount Elizabeth Hospital’s Prof Tan highlights that while birthing makeup is allowed in the delivery room, mums-to-be need to be aware that when required, “they will have to be prepared to remove their makeup in double-quick time, as makeup, nail polish and jewellery are not allowed in the operating theatre due to safety concerns”.
Here's what else to know about the potential pitfalls of birthing makeup, before diving into the trend.
Unless you know for sure that you’re heading in for surgery to deliver your baby beforehand, your doctor would probably have mentioned that you should keep your nails in their natural state. In times of unexpected emergencies, anaesthesia may be required, which is why nail polish and acrylic nails should be avoided.
Explains Dr Huang Zhongwei, consultant, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University Hospital: “These can affect the use of the pulse oximeter on the nails to help the medical staff monitor the labouring mother’s oxygen levels.”
If pretty nails are a must, consider using nail wraps instead, which can be peeled off in a jiffy.
While many women, including mums-to-be, are fans of eyelash extensions, Dr Huang advises keeping your lashes bare when you go in for delivery. “These can cause eye injuries if the mother is under general anaesthesia and does not have the blink reflex.” The same goes for contacts — you may be in labour for a long time, and prolonged use of contact lenses can dry out the eyes.
Avoid going full glam during your delivery. “Makeup on the face should not be excessive that it masks the natural skin tone of the labouring mother. Medical staff do observe changes in skin colour during labour and delivery, especially as there is always the risk of heavy bleeding. And one of the physical signs that we look out for is skin pallor, which can be seen clearly if she starts to bleed profusely,” says Dr Huang. For this reason, avoid blush as well.
For mums-to-be who wish to wear makeup during their delivery, Dr Huang recommends choosing makeup that is “non-toxic and non-inflammable”, such as a light eyeliner, lip balm or gloss, “which are safe when the mother kisses her newborn baby’s sensitive skin”. Better yet, leave off the lip makeup.
This is important as “some newborn babies may have sensitive skin, which could trigger a rash or other skin conditions when the skin comes in contact with [your makeup],” adds Prof Tan.
While light makeup is generally fine during delivery, say both doctors, why not doll yourself up after the baby is born instead? Dr Huang adds that he is more than happy to have the mother “freshen up and put on makeup for an after-birth photo together to commemorate her bravery in delivering her baby”. All you'll need is concealer and perhaps a brow pencil — but if you can't be bothered, there's always photo editing available.
Text: Vanessa Chia/HerWorld. Updated by The Singapore Women's Weekly on 2 September 2023.