How far would you go to ensure you look fabulous for your post-labor pictures? Some ladies would hire a hairstylist to meet them in the delivery room while others might just rock the labored look.
Thanks to social media, however, and the demand for that first mom-and-baby photo, many women are feeling the pressure to look their best right after giving birth. While hiring a stylist to come to the hospital may be a bit over the top for you, there are some things you can take with you in your hospital bag to ensure you look and feel your best right after the baby is born.
And, if you aren’t quite sure what to bring in order to make sure you and baby are looking brand new, Jo Price, the owner of Jo Price Photography in Ferndale, provides some tips.
Mommy’s makeup bag
Labor is hard, which means that it’s going to be rough on your makeup if you planned to wear it through the process. But there are a couple things that you can do to combat sweat and smearing.
“Waterproof mascara tends to be the No. 1 thing that women wish they would have brought with them,” she says. “I always recommend it to ladies who choose to wear makeup during labor. It not only will keep you from having raccoon eyes when you cry over your perfect child, but when you are squeezing your eyes tightly to push, you are tired and rub your eyes, sweating, or are in a birth pool or shower.”
Applying a little makeup post-delivery isn’t a bad idea – especially if it will help you feel better not only aesthetically, but also emotionally.
Many of the moms who commented on a forum on babycenter.com also suggest sticking to concealer, or foundation to combat dark circles and lip balm for dry lips. Throw some blush on, too.
Hairstyle ideas
With all the sweating and moving around, it will be difficult to keep your hair looking glam – unless, of course, you hire your own glam squad. For most, that’s not a reality but there are ways to combat the dreaded “hot flash ponytail,” which Price rocked at her second labor.
“Having a braid in your hair, or having your hair half-up are two hairstyles that generally look good – even after they’ve been tousled around a lot,” she says.
Some ladies opt to keep their hair down in the beginning of their labor, but according to Price, generally throw it up after they grow tired.
No matter which look you choose, you can refresh it after your labor if you keep a bottle of dry shampoo and a brush in your arsenal of supplies.
Outfit choices
Price suggests that moms wear something that makes them feel most comfortable once those visitors arrive – whether it’s one hour or five hours after the baby is born. You don’t have to wear that ugly grayish-green hospital garb.
“Women who choose to give birth in a hospital need to be able to have certain body parts accessible to staff, and so there are cute hospital gowns that woman can bring with them designed specifically with labor in mind,” Price says.
She recommends Pretty Pushers, which can be found online and at some baby and maternity shops.
You look a bit more stylist in that first picture with your little one, too.
When it comes to your bundle of joy, Price encourages moms to bring a few special outfits since you can expect family members to snap some of their own photos.
