Every day, I find myself astonished by the internet’s endless surprises. Just yesterday, my social media feed exploded with a New York Times article titled “Along With Babies, Hairstyles Are Arriving In Hospitals.” Intrigued, I clicked through, only to be greeted by what felt like a satire: a hair blowout and makeup session right after giving birth—just for photo ops? Surely this was a joke!
I mean, yes, Kate Middleton had her hair and makeup done before presenting her newborn to the world. I could understand that, to an extent. After all, there’s a certain pressure tied to such a public appearance. But let’s be real here—who in their right mind would want to endure hair and makeup right after delivering a human being?
For those of us who have been through childbirth, I think it’s safe to say that post-delivery glam was likely the last thing on our minds. If you disagree, we might not hit it off in real life.
Here’s what I craved after bringing my little one into the world:
- A drink. Not an alcoholic one, just something to quench my insatiable thirst. After my cesarean, I was forbidden from drinking for what felt like ages. I even had to convince my husband to help me wet a washcloth and suck the water out of it. The result? Multiple rounds of vomiting. My hair and face were the least of my concerns at that moment.
- Food. Once I was finally cleared to eat, I simply wanted whatever could arrive the quickest. Starving after a grueling labor and recovery, I couldn’t care less about what hair products would tame my mane; I just wanted to eat.
- Relief from the catheter. I should have prioritized this! No one tells you how uncomfortable it is to have a catheter in place. The exhilarating moment of having it removed was far more satisfying than any beauty treatment.
- A shower. After the chaos of childbirth—hot, messy, and chaotic—the most blissful moment was stepping into that hospital shower. I didn’t care that the shower head only sprayed to one side due to calcium buildup; it was pure heaven. All I wanted was to feel clean and refreshed, not to worry about styling my hair.
- Comfortable clothing. My “outfit” consisted of a hospital gown and those infamous mesh underwear, which I wore with pride. I opted for two gowns, one in the front and another in the back, feeling every bit the stylish new mom while munching on hospital food.
According to Mr. Johnson from Bergdorf’s salon, “It’s really important that you feel good. Just feeling ‘I look normal’ afterward is such a nice thing.” But honestly, my priorities were far different from his. After the marathon of childbirth, I was not concerned with looking normal. I needed to come to terms with my new reality—why my stomach still looked pregnant, how to care for a newborn, and how to manage my recovery.
Reflecting on the post-delivery photos, I see a woman with swollen cheeks and a bewildered expression, but also joy. I was happy just to be holding that little miracle, not fretting about my appearance. Had anyone approached me with a hairbrush or makeup, I would have promptly used my left breast to defend myself!
I would take those messy, unglamorous moments over a beauty treatment any day. For more on the process of starting a family, check out this home insemination kit article to explore your options. If you’re interested in fertility methods, this resource is highly informative. Plus, the CDC’s page on infertility offers valuable insights.
In summary, the pressure to look presentable post-delivery is misplaced. The focus should be on recovery, bonding with the newborn, and enjoying the chaotic yet beautiful moments of new motherhood.