You know, every day I find myself a little more baffled by the world we live in. As someone who spends a lot of time online, I often think I’ve seen it all, yet I’m continually surprised. Just yesterday, my social media feed was filled with a New York Times piece titled “Hairstyles Arriving in Hospitals Along with Babies.” Naturally, my curiosity piqued, I clicked to read…and what I found felt like a satire. Seriously? A hair blow-out and makeup session after giving birth just for photo ops? This must be a joke!
I remember how Kate Middleton looked impeccable when she stepped out with her newborn. I get it, kind of. But let’s be real: I can’t imagine the stress of feeling obligated to present myself to the world in a glam fashion right after delivering a baby. Who in their right mind would want to go through that after just bringing a human into existence?
If you’ve been through childbirth, you probably didn’t have “hair and makeup” at the top of your post-delivery wish list. If you did, I’m not sure we’d get along in real life.
Here’s what I truly craved after my delivery:
- A cold drink. And I don’t mean a cocktail. I was parched after my cesarean and, despite the restrictions, I resorted to coaxing my husband to wet a washcloth so I could suck the water out. Not glamorous at all, but I wasn’t worrying about my looks at that moment.
- Something to eat. After hours of labor and a subsequent surgery, when I finally got the chance to order food, I didn’t care what it was. I was starving and just wanted food, even if it was something as unappetizing as liver and lima beans.
- The removal of that pesky catheter. You can’t imagine the relief of having that uncomfortable thing taken out. Trust me, it’s a far superior experience than any beauty treatment.
- A refreshing shower. Let’s be honest—giving birth is a messy affair. The best moment for me, besides meeting my baby, was stepping into that hospital shower. I didn’t care that the water only sprayed to one side; I just wanted to wash away the chaos.
- A comfy outfit. Forget about designer gowns; I was all about hospital gowns and those lovely mesh underpants. I wore two at once! Comfort was key, and I was perfectly content in my cotton attire, enjoying my hospital meal.
The article I mentioned quotes a salon owner who claims, “It’s really important that you feel good…having a baby is like running a marathon.” While I can’t speak to marathons (who wants to run for no reward?), I can tell you that looking “normal” wasn’t on my radar at all.
I wanted to feel somewhat human again, yes, but not in the polished, made-up sense. I was more concerned with the reality of my new life—trying to figure out breastfeeding while simultaneously indulging in a turkey sandwich. When I look back at my post-delivery photos, I see a mom who was scared yet blissfully happy. I don’t regret those unfiltered moments; they were real and raw.
Had anyone approached me with hair products or makeup, I might have accidentally knocked them out with my left breast.
If you’re interested in more perspectives on pregnancy and childbirth, feel free to check out this post on Cervical Insemination. And if you’re looking for at-home insemination kits, Make a Mom is a reputable online resource. For additional information on pregnancy and home insemination, I recommend visiting the CDC’s website for excellent resources.
In summary, getting glammed up post-delivery? Not for me. It’s all about embracing the chaos and beauty of motherhood, even if it doesn’t come with a perfect blowout.
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