Shortsightedness....and being in labour.

[Sequoia]

I've been thinking about this for a while and hope it doesn't sound silly, but how did you go during labour if you wear glasses or contacts?

I'm not too bad (-3.25), but anything from beyond arm's length is blurry. Is it feasible to wear glasses while I am labouring? I don't want to miss out on seeing my baby when he is delivered. I would think that I'll be hot and sweaty and my glasses will be fogging up!

Hmm....

[ll80]

I think I started with them on, but then they annoyed the crap out of me as the pain levels increased.
I can't see more than an arms length away and I saw as much as I wanted to.
Though by the end I didn't really care about much except getting Abby out asap! All thoughts of seeing what went on went out the window, but that was just my experience.

..Laura

[suse]

I'm short sighted and didn't have to take my glasses off for labour, I wore them in the bath even, but did have to take them off in theatre - I ended up with an emergency c/s. So when DS was born my DP held him up to my face for a quick nuzzle so - unfortunately no skin to skin because I had a tricky stitch up (lost lots of blood) and he had to go to special care.

But otherwise there'd be no reason why you couldn't wear your glasses.

[BellyBelly]

What did you wear when you had sex? Same thing goes. Lots of instinct, noise, movement intimacy and privacy so very similar situation.

[suse]

PMSL Kelly -

[meow]

Kelly!

My sister is very short sighted and she wore her contacts to be able to see but says she only has visual memories of things within arms reach anyway because she became so internalised.

[Schmickers]

Well, my wife has quite poor eyesight. I remember when Molly was born, she instinctively clutched her close and brought her up to her face - your body will know what to do to bond with your baby.

Of course, your other option would be to be fitted for contact lenses, althouhg pregnancy changes the shape of the eyeball so contacts can sometimes be problematic during pregnancy.

[Beach Mama]

I had my glasses on during labour for most of the time except for when I was in and out of the bath and shower - and I remember asking DH about 5 times and getting the midwife who was with us to check that he had my glasses with him when we went off to have the c/s! As soon as she was born I got them to put my glasses on - (Im VERY shortsighted ) so I could see him and her after she was born. I had them on in recovery and during our first skin to skin and breastfeeding time. I didnt notice them fog up or bother me - I was a bit too in love although I hate my first pics with them on - I wear contacts everywhere except at home!
Good luck!

[Spring Angel]

I'm blind as a bat and started with my glasses on but by the end I couldn't have cared less where my glasses were. Your instinct just takes over so you'll be absolutely fine.

Spring xx

[Nelle]

I have great eyesight and hardly have any visual memories at all - I have some sound memories...your body might kinda shut down some of your senses anyway - I was so focussed, I didn't acknowledge anyone else in the room hardly at all.
Just do whatever you feel like at the time. You can always bring baby up close to your face on your chest.

I was going to say 'not long to go now! All the best', but I'm due 3 days before you and not ready to acknowledge how close it's getting.

[*las*]

I had mine off, but I hadn't really thought about it, only because I don't wear them unless I'm reading, watching TV or on the computer. You won't need your glasses to see that beautiful baby

[~Flossie~]

hi, great post.. i remember asking a very similar question at my anti natal classes! ( i wear -5.00 contacts.. so very blind!)

Ok for my 1st bub, i was induced so i was actually asleep and had no glasses or contacts on, and didnt actually realise how quick every thing was going ! they examined me and bubs was crowning already ! so i had DH find my glasses ! and i put them on..

for DS ( 2nd bub) i was more in the know and i left my contact in , no probs.. great to see bubs when he was born ..

I was so worried about popping my contacts out when i pushed, however this wont happen! so dont stress about this at all!!!

[Sequoia]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

[Laranna]

I'd not thought of this yet! Great question shoegal. I'm shortsighted (-1.5) and usually wear glasses at work so I can take them off when I'm in front of the computer and wear contacts when I go out. I tend to wear my glasses if I'm going or driving somewhere I'm not familiar with. Since I've been pregnant I've found I've hardly worn either glasses or contact lenses at all, they seem to be too uncomfortable for my eyes.

So I think I might start out wearing my glasses but only if I remember to put them on when it's time to go to the hospital, so if I do I think I will probably end up taking them off during labour cause I think they would irritate me.

[Karina]

I'm shortsighted and I wore my glasses when I arrived at the hospital in labour, but after a short while, I just couldnt handle having anything on or near my face so I had to take them off. I think I would have gotten annoyed with them as I was under the shower for a bit and they would have gotten splashed. I dont see why you wouldnt be able to wear them though. Just do whatever feels comfortable. When Claire was born she was handed to me straight away and she was right near my face and I was able to see her no problems.

[Jesstibb]

I didn't wear mine for either birth. I didn't miss them during the labouring but I remember after Miss 3 was born, it was in the bathroom of the birthing room after me being on my knees and I was looking down at her on the mat and just kept asking "What is it? What is it?" because we hadn't known the sex and I couldn't see anything but a baby shaped pink blob! LOL. I wasn't distressed by this.

This second time I was on a bed and they brought the baby right up to my chest and I saw her fine.

I think its personal choice. I rolled around alot during labour and I think if they had fallen off or become damaged I would have been annoyed. Maybe keep them close and have your support person put them on you as soon as baby is born.

[Nelle]

Remember a few posts back when I said I hardly had any visual memories at all, despite having great vision? Well, we just had my birth support partner over for dinner (she supported with Riv and will with this one too), and she was like 'umm...you had your eyes closed most of the time'.

So yeah. That might be another reason you won't need your glasses.

[Sequoia]

Just thought I would update....

I ended up with my eyes closed nearly the whole time! Concentrating on my contractions and pushing was too much to have my eyes open. I was induced and was done in 4 hours. I made sure DH had my glasses close by when Baxter was placed on my chest.

SG
xo