GETTING GLAM
‘Why would you want to look haggard?’ mum says as she reveals glam C-section makeover that left nurses ‘flabbergasted’
Bromley paid a whopping £95 for her pre-birth beauty treatments
A GLAM mum says she left people 'flabbergasted' when she turned up for her C-section in a full face of makeup - so she could 'look good' when she met her baby.
Bromley Elford was booked in for an elective C-section at her first midwife appointment after going through an 'awful' natural birth with her first child nine years ago.
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Knowing the exact time and date she would be giving birth, the 28-year-old said she woke up two hours before she needed to be at the hospital to slap on a full face of makeup and straighten her hair.
And despite regularly having her nails and eyelashes done, the mum-of-two said she booked in appointments a few days before her surgery - to make sure she had a fresh set of acrylics and eyelash extensions before giving birth.
Heartwarming photos show a glammed-up Bromley holding her son Cove Cottrell who was delivered at 1:55pm on Monday, June 3rd weighing 7lbs 8oz.
Before going into the theatre, the broadband office executive said she sent a photo of herself dressed in her surgery gown to her work colleagues and said they were 'flabbergasted' by her full face of makeup - but also found it funny.
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She also got up again to do her makeup, hair, and to get dressed just 17 hours after giving birth.
She wrote on social media: "Another unhinged moment 17 hours after [my] C-section.
"Got myself up again, pulled my suitcase down, got myself dressed and a full face of makeup on [rolling on the floor laughing emoji].
"The nurses were flabbergasted."
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She joked: "[I] was definitely medicated to the max but it felt good."
And after sharing a video on TikTok documenting her elective C-section journey, Bromley said while some users were quick to praise her glammed look, others couldn't understand why she went to so much effort to give birth.
Bromley, from Wantage in Oxfordshire, said: "I put a full face of makeup on as I wanted to look nice in my birth photos.
"Obviously, I made sure a few days before the C-section I went ahead and had fresh nails and lashes done.
"I got acrylic French tips done on my nails for £35 and got Russian eyelash extensions which cost £60.
"Before going into my C-section I woke up at 5pm to put a full face of makeup on and left at 6:30am.
"I straightened my hair too but I do this every day anyway. I had just been on holiday so luckily I didn't need to fake tan as I had a natural one.
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"I sent some photos of myself before giving birth [with my makeup on] to my work girls and they were a bit flabbergasted at the full face but they thought it was hilarious.
"They were asking what time I got up to do my makeup and why I had a full face on when I was going to go and have a baby.
"After posting about it on TikTok I didn't expect it to get so much traction. I also didn't think it was that unusual to wear a full face of makeup.
"I was shocked at how shocked some people were. Some of the comments were lovely and said how nice I looked. Some people questioned why I did this."
Cove is now four weeks old and since undergoing her C-section, Bromley said she would recommend the birth plan to other mums if they are worried about giving birth naturally.
She has also hit back at people commenting on her decision to wear makeup into surgery and said her post-birth pictures looked great because of this.
Bromley said: "I look back at the photos that were taken after having my first daughter and I don't even look alive.
"[This time] I wanted to get some nice photos to look back on. I took in a polaroid camera and I was happy with the photos. I thought I looked quite good.
"I would definitely recommend this to other pregnant women. If you know your birth is planned and you're going to want pictures afterwards, why would you not make the effort?
"To the negative comments, I just cannot believe that me having a full face of makeup to my own surgery to meet my baby bothered somebody else so much.
"It just baffles me that someone would take the time out of the day to comment negative things on someone else's post.
"The C-section went really well and I would 100 percent recommend it. Everything about it was positive and my recovery has been amazing too."
Since sharing a post about her C-section on TikTok, the post has received more than 300,000 views and nearly 500 comments.
Labour bag essentials
Giving birth can be a nerve-wracking experience. That's why it can be good to prepare beforehand and make sure you're all ready to go when the time comes.
If you're giving birth in a hospital the NHS suggests packing:
- your birth plan and hospital notes
- something loose and comfortable to wear during labour that does not restrict you from moving around or make you too hot
- 3 changes of loose, comfortable clothes
- 2 or 3 comfortable and supportive bras, including nursing bras if you're planning to breastfeed – remember, your breasts will be much larger than usual
- breast pads
- 2 packets of super-absorbent sanitary or maternity pads
- 5 or 6 pairs of knickers – you may want to bring some disposable ones
- your washbag with a toothbrush, hairbrush, flannel, soap, lip balm, deodorant, hair ties and other toiletries
- towels
- things to help you pass the time and relax – for example, books, magazines, music or podcasts
- a fan or water spray to cool you down
- front-opening or loose-fitting nighties or tops if you're going to breastfeed
- dressing gown and slippers
- healthy snacks and drinks
- extra pillows
- a TENS machine if you intend to use one
- any medicines you're taking
For your little one, they suggest taking:
- bodysuits, vests and sleepsuits
- an outfit for going home in
- a hat, scratch mittens and socks or booties
- plenty of nappies
- a shawl or blanket
- muslin squares or bibs
- a car seat for the trip home
One user said: "Only you could make a birth look so glamorous.
"This is so lush."
Another added: "Imagine being that concerned about having your hair and make up done for pictures when you're literally about to give birth."
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A third commented: "Makeup on! Is it that important?"
A fourth said: "Beautiful mommy and baby boy. Congratulations. May he bring you countless years of joy and happiness."