'I had my hair, makeup, nails and tan done': 20 women on the 'birthing makeup' trend.

'Birthing makeup'. It's social media's latest trend, with millions of views under hashtags such as #birthingmakeup and #labourmakeup. And while it's by no means a new 'thing', delivery room makeup is a topic that has people divided.

While some criticise it for pressuring women to meet a certain standard during birth, others see it as a form of self-care - a welcome distraction or a form of empowerment and control. 

Watch: Meet the baby born from a 27-year-old embryo. Post continues below.

Search the topic on TikTok, and you'll come across thousands of soon-to-be mums sitting in their hospital gowns, taking their followers through their makeup routine pre-birth. It's literally GRWM [get ready with me] to give birth.

For example, TikToker @beautybyjecza shares: "I turned 40 weeks this day, and I had slight symptoms of labour. As soon as I got checked at the hospital I was admitted to stay. I had a feeling this would happen, so I went prepared and I made sure I had makeup on of course."

@beautybyjecza doing my makeup before I have my baby #thepowerofmakeup #pregnanttiktok #newmomintown ♬ BORN FOR THIS - Foxxi

There's also TikTok user @laedout, who shared: "I did my makeup before birthing my baby. I wanted to meet the queen in full face", as she applied makeup and false eyelashes. 

@laedout #princessbirth#laboranddelivery #successfultolac #successfulvbac #introductionchallenge #queenmama #palacebehaviour #meetingmydaughter #bdaychallenge ♬ Live Your Best Life (Do it Like Its Yo Bday) - Joseline Hernandez

Her video alone racked up millions upon millions of views and comments (37.5 million, to be exact).

Part of the trend is of course fuelled by social media. Post-birth photography has never been so popular, with couples now even opting for professional photographers to document the entire experience. For some people, part of that involves wanting to feel and look their best.

New mum Olivia told Mamamia, "I had a planned c-section and made sure I walked into that delivery room with my hair, makeup, nails and fake tan done! I felt like the best version of myself meeting my daughter. Our lovely nurses took both our phones and managed to take 214 photos of her birth. The best memories to look back on."

And it's not just makeup. Many women are strategically planning out various beauty treatments ahead of going into labour - everything from eyelash extensions to lash tints and a blow dry.

There's also more to it than wanting a nice photo (or hundreds, no judgement here) for social media.

For some people, birthing makeup is about a desire to feel confident, empowered and in control, providing a moment of self-care during what's usually a painful and unpredictable experience.

@dvtsroxii #katespadenyhappydance #ROMWEGetGraphic #labor #InTheHeightsChallenge #FriendsReunion #HoldMyMilk #FriendsReunion #viral #zxycba #fy #castaways ♬ original sound - dvtsroxii

Nicole shared with us, "I did [wear makeup]. Although, both of [my births] were elective c-sections. I was quite self-conscious about my skin, so just did light makeup. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have been as comfortable and it would have affected the special day for me. With my second, I only wore a lighter layer of BB cream.'

However, on the other side of the spectrum, medical professionals say there's a very valid reason to go makeup-free for labour.

Midwife Lori told Mamamia, "I am a nurse and we can see so much from the colour of your face. I can usually tell that my patient is about to have a chuck or that they're low on oxygen (before I can get my monitoring on them), just from looking at the colour of their face. We also look at your skin for signs of drug reactions."

"When birthing, having to go to the theatre for an emergency caesarian is a possibility, and all that makeup just gets in the way... and if you need to be put under general anaesthetic, we need to apply tape to your skin over your eyes. If you have eye makeup or even fake lashes on, that'll all get smudged and increases your risk of corneal scratches."

So, with risks like this in mind, is it something more and more women are actually doing? 

We decided to find out.

We asked the You Beauty Facebook group if they wore makeup while giving birth, or went bare-faced. There were over 250 comments. 

Here's a snapshot of what women shared.

Natalie.

"No makeup for me. I was in and out of the shower and bath and very hot - I think I'd have looked worse with whatever was left on. I had a natural birth with no drugs, and applying makeup wasn't high on my priority list when I went into labour. I imagine some births can be less active though. Each to their own."

Anna.

"I wore makeup, and I had my nails done before. I did have a c-section, though - so I'm not sure how makeup makes it through labour. I did pack my makeup in my hospital bag as well and did put it on every morning as it made me feel put together after a night with little sleep."

Jess.

"Definitely not. I'm a midwife but also had a baby three months ago - and if I wore makeup, it would've gone all over the linen, all over myself, my partner and the midwife looking after us. Birth is painful and emotional. I also couldn't get up for many hours after my birth, and having makeup to worry about taking off would've been annoying!"

Madi.

"All I had was eyelash extensions which I liked having - but other than that I wouldn't recommend [it]; you sweat too much!"

Susy.

"Yes, because I was induced (not planned) times three and happened to be wearing makeup at the time. But it's not really necessary. No one cares. You may sweat it off anyway, or be in and out of the shower. Do what makes you feel most comfortable."

Kyanne.

"No, BUT I did pack some very basic makeup - mascara, concealer and some blush - to put on after my third was born, because I looked like death in the photos straight after my second was born. I remember feeling exhilarated and euphoric and then I saw photos and I looked like death warmed up."

Hannah.

"I didn't wear any, although I could've. I have terrible acne and acne scarring and had a planned caesarean due to my girl being breech. I will definitely never share any photos of me straight after birth because my skin looks really terrible - which is really sad!"

Yvette.

"I didn't wear makeup, and I had a planned c-section, so I would've had lots of time to apply it. It just doesn't seem relevant to me. But each to their own. You do you!"

Tahlia.

"Planned c-section for number two. I had fake tan on my face. Looked glowy in my pictures this time around - so, no regrets!"

Miranda.

"I did. I wear makeup all the time though, so it's up to you!"

Bella.

"No bloody way. Thirty hours and countless showers, hot and cold sweats and vomiting - the makeup wouldn't have looked pretty at best! None for the following four days in hospital either, as I was too busy sweating out kilos of fluid, so nothing would have stayed on!"

Mim.

"I think that the lack of control involved in having a baby can be very scary for lots of women. And if putting on a bit of makeup (even if you're going to sweat it off) makes you less stressed in any way, as long as it doesn't interfere with the medical staff watching your skin colour, then why not. I had an elective c-section and just wore a tiny bit of mascara and some very light concealer."

Casey.

"The last thing you feel like doing is removing all of your makeup with a sore fanny. So, no."

Anna. 

"I wore makeup, and I had my nails done before. I did have a c-section though, so not sure how makeup makes it through labour. I did pack my makeup bag in my hospital bag as well as put it on every morning as it made me feel put together after a night with little sleep."

Bronwyn.

"There was a baby about to come out of my vagina - the last thing I cared about was my makeup. I love looking back on the photos and seeing the natural glow, facecloth over the forehead and all."

Sakari.

"No, but I did make sure to get a mani and pedi just beforehand, eyebrow tint and lash extensions. I had a 36-hour labour and thankfully looked half decent in the pictures my husband took straight after birth. But I mainly had it done as I wanted to feel a little nice in the weeks following her birth, as I knew I wouldn't have the time or strength to really take care of myself."

Jessica

"If you want to wear makeup, then go ahead! Totally up to you. Everyone births differently and goes into labour differently... But I despise a 'trend' about birthing makeup that could make ANY mother feel she has some sort of standard to meet."

TLDR; You do you. Don't feel pressured to do one or the other - whether it's going full glam or wearing nothing at all, if it makes you comfortable and happy, that's all that matters.

Got an opinion on the "birthing makeup" trend? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

Feature image: Tiktok; @lilymorely; @dvtsroxii.

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