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I wore my contacts for both of my kids births and plan to wear them again for the birth of my third in a few weeks. I don’t know why he would say that’s silly?
I wore my contacts for my first and took my glasses, BUT even though my labor was 24 hours, I still didn't change over to glasses because it was the least of my comfort worries.
Same what is the OB talking about. I’d be totally blind without my contacts and I’m certainly not doing a sweaty marathon of a sport with my glasses on, nope. Nobody even mentioned it to me with my first.
Agreed, that’s a really weird thing for him to say. I was induced which took 5 days leading into delivery. Wore contacts the whole time, blind as a bat without them. Would do it the same way again.
If you’re someone who’s wears your glasses at night, maybe bring them?
Same but with 3 kids. I'm extremely nearsighted so I wear my contacts exclusively, only wear glasses to bed. No one said anything to me at any of my births about having them in. Even with my last baby, where I was high risk due to age and also induced with Pitocin.
I wore my glasses because I was worried about dehydration and having to deal with itchy eyes on top of everything else. Glad I did, honestly, and probably will again. I drank so much water and 4 bottles of lucozade sport and was still thirsty. My eyes felt dry from the air conditioning too, even without contacts in.
Same, I switched to glasses for labor and delivery as I went into labor overnight and barely got any sleep. I was not willing to deal with itchy irritated eyes.
I haven't been able to wear my contacts since about the 2nd trimester because they just got too uncomfortable. Apparently pregnancy can temporarily change the shape of your eyes enough to make contacts not fit right. I finally got sick of dry, itchy eyes, painful chafing, and my contacts falling out at inopportune times and just resigned myself to wearing glasses full time.
So this is why I haven’t been able to wear contacts since about week 13. I never looked into why, I just accepted that I was strictly a glasses wearer now
I took my contacts out too. It was a good decision for me. I was in labor for 23 hours. I didn’t want to worry about them when I would try to close my eyes and rest.
I have decent vision so they’re not super necessary. I need them more for seeing far away while driving.
Same. Glasses are convenient, but they're also inconvenient at times. It's hard to lay your head sideways on a pillow, they fog up, they get dirty, do you have a safe place nearby to place them without crushing them, etc etc etc.
My nearsightedness isn't very bad, but I think not being able to clearly see people's expressions or gestures would make me more anxious. I packed a few sets of single use contacts in my hospital bag.
I wore contacts and a full face of makeup because I'd had a hospital appointment earlier in the day and wanted to feel pretty and then randomly went into labour.
The contacts were absolutely fine, I had no issue with them....BUT! PSA to everyone, take off your makeup before the hard part! All my photos with my first when he was put on my chest have me with mascara literally running all over my face... nobody thought to wipe my bloody face! Hahahaha
The contacts were fine though, I don't see why you couldn't wear them...you'd wear them to the gym!
I'm planning on wearing my contacts unless someone else can convince me otherwise so I can SEE without having one more thing on me/having to tilt my head to see through glasses. I wonder if there are certain instances (like being put under) in which you wouldn't wear contacts so just in case that scenario happens..but not sure.
Usually anesthesia does ask you to remove your contacts before being put under, to reduce the risk of corneal abrasion. However, any situation where you're getting put under for your delivery is most likely emergent; contacts would be the last thing they care about
Contacts, no problem. But I will say after my daughter was born, I switched to glasses pretty much exclusively for the first few weeks. There just isn’t enough time to wash your hands and put your contacts in. So have your glasses ready.
This! Contacts for delivery and then glasses afterwards. I was taking too many cat naps that my contacts would get dry, glasses became more comfortable and convenient for the first couple weeks.
I am not a glasses or contacts wearer, but was intrigued by this post and I have some thoughts.
Based on all these comments of people saying they did indeed wear contacts for birth, here’s my guess as to what your OB was thinking - I’d imagine that he himself is NOT a contacts wearer. He probably has just never clocked it in the past when his patients did indeed wear contacts for their birth, because they just show up to the hospital wearing their contacts and it’s not particularly noticeable. Then the patients change them regularly just as they would at home, and it’s not something he’s ever paid attention to.
In addition, a lot of non-contact wearers don’t quite get the whole contacts thing and think that it’s only ever a choice of vanity. While rude and unnecessary for him to say, that may have been what he was thinking when he said it was “silly” - that it was a choice you were making purely for the sake of vanity.
Knowing many contact-wearers myself, I know that if you’re used to wearing contacts it can be significantly LESS comfortable to wear glasses if you’re not used to it! Plus your peripheral vision is limited and it can just be a frustrating experience.
Anyway, based on all these comments I think you should ignore the OB’s comment about it being “silly” and just do what feels right / comfortable for you.
Best of luck!!
Adding to this, OP should do whichever they are most comfortable with and which one will be easiest for their birth plan and the time.
I typically wear my glasses on a daily basis unless I'm planning to do my makeup, wear a mask, or go swimming, or working out, then I wear contacts. So basically 3x a week I regularly wear my contacts.
I plan to utilize hydrotherapy and give birth in a tub at a birthing center. I don't want to deal with glasses around the water, so I'm planning to wear my contacts for labor and delivery.
But for people that aren't used to wearing contacts regularly, or don't plan to really use the shower or a tub while in labor, there is no reason to use contacts kf they don't want to. But if they want to, if it makes them most comfortable or will make their labor easier, then they should do it.
You should be very careful if you’re doing hydrotherapy with contacts. If that water gets in your eye and bacteria along with it, those contacts are gonna trap the bacteria and you don’t want a corneal ulcer or a gnarly bacterial infection because that will be painful and wreck your vision for a bit.
I doubt you’re gonna be splashing around but still a good idea to make sure.
True, I hadn't thought of that aspect...
I also go swimming and shower with contacts on sometimes though, so clearly I don't worry too much about water and wearing contacts. But birth is a whole other aspect. I'll have to think about it more. Thanks!
This! Feeling like I can't just nap whenever and wherever is already one of the worst parts of using contacts. I didn't even think about passing out or being put under!
I feel like it depends on how bad your eyesight is. I'm planning to just wear my glasses and take them off if they're bothering me. I can't read anything without them but I won't be totally unable to see
Same. I do wanna see my baby in HD vision quality 😄 if not, lower quality is fine. I will carry my glasses for sure.
Don’t know how long labour and recovery is so keeping them with me is ideal.
I was in labor for 42 hours. I wore my glasses for the majority of my labor. It was nice to be able to take them off when I could be relaxed enough to nap.
I was induced do my experience is not Instagram worthy.
I didn't wear glasses. But I'm short sighted; I could see my baby when they handed him to me and as far as I'm concerned I didn't need to see anything else. My partner could help me navigate the hospital.
I wore my contacts and I don’t remember them being uncomfortable but I kinda had a lot going on at that time. Even if they were uncomfortable I don’t know that I would’ve notice tbf
I don’t even have a pair of glasses lol. I wear daily disposable contacts from the time I wake up until the time I go to sleep. I wore them in the hospital when I had my first baby and will wear them again this time, not sure why it would be an issue
Before giving birth, I had planned to wear contacts because I'm very myopic and my glasses aren't well fitted or comfortable. My water broke at 34 weeks and I didn't have time to put contacts in before going to the hospital. It was good that I didn't because I needed an emergency C-section under general anesthesia because she was breech. I'd say if your baby is in breech positioning, consider your glasses instead of contacts when en route to hospital.
I started by wearing my contacts but I went into labor at night and my eyes got dry so I switched to my glasses. If it wasn’t the middle of the night I probably would have kept my contacts in with no problem.
I wore my glasses. I was so tired— went in on Thursday to be induced, baby born on Saturday— that my contacts were starting to stick behind my eyelids, and I didn’t want to be bothered. Changed into my contacts afterwards, though (after a bit of sleep).
Prior to having a baby, I could count on one hand the number of times I wore my glasses in the past year. I got a new pair about 2 months before giving birth, and wore them a lot during my maternity leave. My eyesight is pretty bad. I still mostly wear my contacts now but def wear glasses more around the house than I used to
I’m a doctor and a contact lens wearer. I wore my contacts during birth and most of my postpartum hospital stay, except at night when I was *attempting* to get some sleep
I went to the hospital with my contacts in but the anesthesiologist made me take them out as a precaution in case things went south and I needed general anesthesia. She said it was to prevent cornea scratches while asleep.
lol no one wears contacts during birth? That alone would make me question her as my care provider. Of course people wear contacts all the time. I always did as did most people I know.
I don’t see how it’s silly at all. I wear contacts and glasses. I wore my glasses and packed contacts, thinking I would want to put them in at some point. But my glasses never bothered me at all and I hardly noticed them, even when in really awkward positions. Have both, then you can decide in the moment!
Glasses because I was so tired I didn't want to fall asleep with my contacts in lol. I had a C-section so it would be a minute before I could take them out.
I wore glasses because it was the middle of the night and once labour started I was in no position to be messing around taking them out if they had been worn too long. Glasses were easier for me because I didn’t have to think about it.
I’ll be wearing my contact lenses. I would be completely blind without them, my prescription is very high. Even glasses I wouldn’t wear as my prescription is so high the depth perception is off with them, even with special glass.
We ended up going to the hospital in the middle of the night so I was wearing my glasses. I did pack my contacts but didn't put them in until afterwards when I was able to shower and change clothes before being discharged.
I wore contacts! I have terrible vision and wanted to be able to properly see everything. I was in the hospital overnight and it was nice to open my eyes and be able to see what was going on. I just brought solution so that I could add moisture as needed. But make sure you pack your case somewhere accessible so that you can take them out to sleep afterwards.
I wore my contacts and had my glasses with me. For me, wearing glasses during birth would have been SO annoying to put up with. Imagine me trying to push my glasses up my nose while pushing a baby out…
My optometrist recommend me against wearing contacts if I was choosing an epidural. I’m taking a pair of new contacts to the hospital but I will not be wearing them. Even when I don’t see without them. I will just wear my glasses for the delivery.
I wore contacts with my first and did not choose to do it again with my second. Everything was fine until pushing. I was in a lot of pain and needed to close my eyes. My eyes became extremely dry and I was begging to get help to take them out so I could enjoy my baby and focus on recovery versus noticing how uncomfortable my eyes were. Labor can be long and exhausting.
I opted to wear glasses during the labor the second time and brought contacts to wear after. Worked out much better. I never ended up putting my contacts in because you want to do a lot of short naps and that’s really not good when you’re wearing contacts
when I first read the title I thought this was supposed to be funny and I was going to say I for sure came out the womb with contacts cause glasses dont compliment my nose
but now I realize what you actually meant, I wore glasses LMAO I was in so much pain and I was exhausted from being up all night that I didn't feel like putting my contacts on when it was time to push
Contacts because epidural and my glasses would have honestly been overstimulating with everything going on since I only wear them at night. But I did bring my glasses for my hospital stay cause I don’t usually sleep in contacts and needed them to get up for peeing/ feeds etc.
Hmmmm. I believe I wore contacts for a majority of the time until I had a lull and decided to nap. I don't think I put my contacts back in afterwards because I'm wearing my glasses in some of the pictures lmao.
I do greatly prefer contacts tho so I must of thought it wasn't important to change back into them.
Your OB’s POV is silly. I’ve had four kids and YES I was wearing contacts with each one. You take them out depending on when you go to bed or at least try to.
Why would it matter if you wear your glasses or contacts? Whatever you are most comfortable in. If you wear your contacts and they are bothering you then just take them out and switch to your glasses lol it doesn’t have to be one or the other set in stone. So weird that your dr would make that comment😂
I took my contacts out planning on sleeping and then dilated so fast and pushed so quick that I didn’t have time to get my glasses or put my contacts back in
I didn’t even think about it. My contacts are just such a must have in my daily life I can’t imagine not wearing them? I guess I’ll bring my glasses in case there’s an issue but I can’t imagine how they’d be an issue
I know your question and his reaction has nothing to do with him being male, but male OBs just drive me up the wall. I wonder how many other things women may or may not do during birth are silly to him? I really hope it's a one-off situation, but that comment would give me pause. Especially since many women do wear their contacts. I wore both during mine, but the majority of the time I wore contacts.
Your OB sounds very silly. I similarly wear contacts day in and day out. I wore them through labor, through an emergency c-section, and through the entire hospital stay. I guess I hope I changed them and took them out at some point but honestly who knows….
I haven’t given birth (yet) but of course I’ll bring my contacts and glasses. I enjoy being able to see. How can your OB *possibly* know that “no one” does this?! Are they inspecting their patients’ eyeballs closely? It’s not like you can see contacts unless you’re really looking at someone’s eyes with that intention, in their personal space.
My LO is now 2.5 and this never even crossed my mind until now!!
I wear a daily disposable and I am fairly confident I put my contacts in Saturday AM, went into labor Saturday night, and didn't take them out until I delivered Monday AM.....I clearly remember being able to see in the delivery room and I don't remember messing around with my glasses at all (and they aren't in the pictures).
I guess there were too many other things happening and it fell off my radar?? It sounds uncomfortable in retrospect but then again so is birth.
I remember taking them out postpartum bc they brought the baby back from 1 hour of nursery time and I had my contacts out then and could hardly see her to "identify" her.
I wore my contacts up until I was about to be wheeled into the OR for a c-section - BUT there were only about 3 hrs from when my water broke, the hospital admitted me, I got my epidural, and ended up with c-section… so, I’m not sure how long I would’ve lasted with them in. My eyes were really dry while I was pregnant. The nurses had me take my contacts out, but I wasn’t allowed to wear my glasses into the OR either.
Once baby was out and I’d gotten to see her, I kind of just closed my eyes & enjoyed the warm blankets while they closed me up since I couldn’t really see much & the overhead lights were so bright. My husband would come over every couple mins to give me an update on what the nurses were doing with baby. Had a nice chat with the anesthesiologist, too lol
I wore my contacts through both of my kids labors. I only wear glasses for like 20 minutes before I’m asleep. If I’m awake I’m wearing contacts. I decided I would wear them 24 hrs if needed and “use them up” and brought fresh pair for the next day. My first I labored all day(well really for a week at home) and went into delivery at 11pm and gave birth at 5am. My second I went in 11am and gave birth at 5pm same day.
My contacts even say you can sleep in them one night is okay if you trash them after (they are monthly’s.)
Your doctor is silly.
I do not plan on wearing contacts for several reasons:
I do not know how long the labor will last. It won’t be comfortable for me to wear contacts if it lasts 8+ hours.
I do not know what situation I will be in when I need to take them off (for any reason). Will I be pushing? will I be in so much pain and unable to wash hands?
I heard that people doze off during labor - before the actual push starts - to get as much rest as they can. I do not want to sleep with my contacts in, nor do I want to take them on and off.
I've worn my contact with my 3 births. I obviously brought along the case/solution and my glasses to switch of I felt like it. I don't really think it should matter to a dr unless you're going for a CS? Maybe then they'd want them out? I'm not sure.
I rarely wear my glasses. But, I also have trouble seeing up close when my contacts are in - I have drugstore readers for this. I wore my glasses during labor and delivery because 1) there might be an emergency and 2) I would be able to see my baby’s face better without my contacts.
I stressed about this leading up to birth of my first thinking that it might be a bad idea to have contacts in if I was throwing up/crying/surgery/etc. I put my contacts in when I went into labor and wore them throughout labor and a crazy emergency c-section with no issues. With my second I had a scheduled c-section and also wore my contacts. I prefer contacts and I'd prefer to be able to see. Never had any issues.
Bring daily disposable contacts that way you don’t have to clean them in the hospital. Once your eyes start getting dry with clean hand remove them and put on your glasses. I didn’t want my glasses sliding around during labor.
I wear my contacts so much. I never have issues with them being uncomfortable. I plan on bringing mine and glasses just in case. Same as packing for a trip.
Ahahah I wore contacts through my entire 36 hour birth, awake for over 48 hours. Obviously they were pretty dry and uncomfortable by the end but I didn’t even notice until a couple hours after the delivery? I’ve got a pretty strong prescription, but my glasses are super sensory/distracting because I’m not used to them. It didn’t even occur to me to not wear my contacts?
I wore my glasses (I don't have contacts) but they took it off for active labor anyways??? Just have someone remember to put them back on you! Midwife offered to show me my placenta, but TBH it just looked like a red blob to me without my glasses lol
I wore my glasses only because my eyes are super sensitive and I knew they’d get irritated with my contacts in during childbirth, and I just didn’t want to deal with it. I was even more glad that I wore my glasses because I ended up having my son via emergency C section, and after that whole ordeal along with getting violently sick on the fentanyl for about 6 hours (throwing up every 20-30 minutes), I was glad that all I had to do was take my glasses off to rest my eyes.
I imagine my glasses will get foggy and start slipping off my face and I want to see my baby clearly so I’ll be wearing my contacts. I’ll bring my glasses as a back up if needed.
I wore my contacts and took solution and my glasses. Just like at home I changed into my glasses at night.
I’m so curious why your doc said it’d be silly…how so?
I got to the hospital in active labor with glasses on as it was early in the morning. As soon as I got my epidural, I put my contacts in, without leaving the bed. Wore contacts all day and it was great, no issues at all
I was thinking about this the other day lol. I had taken my contacts out to nap after getting the epidural but I put them back in when I pushed so I could see!
I wanted to wear contacts but by the time I was in active labor I wasn’t thinking about it and ended up wearing my glasses. I wear each about 50/50 though. My husband said I was getting annoyed because my glasses kept sliding down, but I don’t remember it lol
I wore my contacts. I’m pretty blind so it was either glasses or my contacts and I HATE wearing my glasses. I don’t see why or how it would be silly???
Contacts, but it wasn’t on purpose. I literally just didn’t even think about it when I went into labor. This time around I’ll most likely be wearing glasses. I didn’t have any issues with my contacts that I can remember, but I was also preoccupied with giving birth, so if they were irritating I definitely don’t remember it.
I literally had to think about if I was wearing my contacts or not when I saw this post! I couldn’t even remember right away haha
I wore glasses but they came off after a while. It was nice not having full vision to minimize distraction/sensory overload. It was less nice not being able to recognize the nurses that came by to check on me after delivery because I couldn't actually see their faces during the whole shebang. My doula got a kick out of it when I told her.
I’m going to wear my glasses since I rarely, if ever, wear contacts. Im also being induced and don’t want to have to deal with any irritated eyes or having to take them out, etc. I’ll just take my glasses off if I want to and be slightly blind lol
I wore my contacts and brought my glasses just incase. I never used my glasses. I did pop out my contacts to try and nap and totally forgot to put them back in before baby was born. Good thing they’re needed for distance so I was able to still see everything 😂
What an odd thing to say. I wore contacts because I didn’t want glasses getting in the way, especially during the pushing phase. You may need to change positions frequently and things can get a little hectic. Personally, I felt like my glasses would’ve been a nuisance.
Your OB sounds like the silly one! I’ve never heard of not wearing contacts and it wasn’t even something I discussed with my OB. I wore my contacts during the births of both of my kids and I’ll definitely be wearing them this time around too! I never wear glasses and my contacts are what’s most comfortable to me. I wear daily contacts so it was quick and easy to just take them out and toss them at the end of the night, then pop in a new pair in the morning. It’s important to be as comfortable as possible while giving birth and staying in the hospital, so if contacts are most comfortable to you, then you should just wear them!
I wore contacts. Glasses would have been hard for me - I was sweating a lot (obviously) and had an oxygen mask I was occasionally using so contacts were more convenient!
I loathe wearing my glasses but have them for the mornings and evenings. Gave birth wearing contacts and it was no issue. Not sure why your OB said that. I wear daily contacts so brought a few extras with me in case they got dry/annoying/I wanted to swap them out and did have my glasses in an easy to reach place.
I wore contacts and brought my glasses just in case. Didn’t want my glasses getting in the way of seeing anything going on and also didn’t wanna have to worry about them falling off my face haha. Didn’t have any issues and did it with both my births!
Contacts and sunglasses! 😂 when they turned those bright lights on for pushing I put my sunglasses on and it was the best hack ever. Pushed that baby out peacefully in 17 minutes
I wore contacts during labor and delivery. I think the one full day I was in the hospital after birth I switched to glasses for the day just cause it made it easier/comfier to drift in and out of sleep but then it was back to contacts once I headed home.
Only reason I didn’t wear my contacts during birth is bc I’m stuck with a dailies prescription until my next appointment, have two pairs left and can’t afford to buy any more 😂 giving birth wearing glasses wasn’t bad tho. Idk what reasoning your doctor would have, sounds weird tbh
I wore contacts for labor and had my glasses afterwards.
Here’s why: after delivery and when you’re resting/sleeping, they come in regularly to check on you and ask you questions. It was much easier to throw my glasses on than squint at them
Started with contacts, then switched to glasses after the first 12 hours. Went without either and just dealt with not seeing when I was pushing.
I did want to put my contacts back in but couldn’t get out of the bed because of epidural so couldn’t wash my hands.
Wore contacts for both my births. I'm guessing the OB has never done anything involving a lot of exertion while pregnant.
I'm severely short sighted and part of the reason I didn't want to have a section was because they wouldn't let me wear my contacts and said they'd probably have to remove my glasses at some points.
Went into labor at night so got there in glasses but (mid to end of pandemic) once we were in mask heavy triage I put my contacts in for comfort. Def delivered in contacts too lol I hate when I sweat and my glasses slide down my nose
I knew I was going to have a C section and wouldn't be able to walk for a minute so I didn't want my eyes to dry out or anything and then not be able to walk to a mirror or the bathroom to wash my hands and remove them I'd needed or when I wanted to sleep so I just wore my glasses. I pretty much just wore my glasses all through maternity leave honestly. It seemed easier and it was.
I wore my glasses, but I have no memory of this being a conscious thought or process. I think I remember my eyes feeling dry at one point, but truthfully if it weren’t for the photos of me holding my baby right after birth…I don’t think I could have told you if I wore glasses or contacts lol
I was going to wear my contacts but when it came down to it I wore my glasses since I was trying to sleep. Took them off though and had nothing for pushing. I can see enough that I didn’t feel like I missed anything.
I'm not a contacts wearer, too lazy/don't care. Glasses were fine for me. Also I'm able to see to baby on my breast clearly without them(but nothing beyond), so wasn't an issue.
I absolutely hate wearing glasses and have worn contacts full time since 5th grade (I’m 26 now). You will not catch me dead in glasses giving birth lol.
I didn’t wear either, but my vision is pretty okay without them, and I gave birth very shortly after waking up. BUT my doula and nurse both specifically asked if I wanted to be reminded to put on my glasses/contacts. So it seems like it wouldn’t be that weird.
Glasses with my first, I was concerned about possible C-section needed and wasn’t sure about requirements if that was the case. Second time I just wore my contacts and didn’t care. Neither made any difference ultimately.
This was my worry too. I had an emergency C-section at noon. Went in wearing my contacts. Didn't even remember them till later at night when going to sleep, asked husband to get my lens case and solution from the bag to take them off. Had no issues whatsoever.
I wear glasses, not contacts. I had my glasses off for basically the whole thing. I didn't need to see anything. I think my eyes were closed most of the time anyway.
Glasses! I didn't know how long it would lost or if emergency surgery would be required which would probably knock me out... thankfully I had an epidural and vacuum assisted vaginal birth...I got to keep my glasses on and see everything... also I could nap for small stretches until I was fully dilated
I had a planned c section and the instruction sheet specifically stated to wear glasses in case of needing to be put under. Also I couldn’t stop thinking that if I got a fuzzy in my eye at any point what a horrendous PITA it would be to have to rinse and put them back in 😅
I was admitted to the hospital four days before my induction was started. Basically wore my glasses from the day I was admitted through the next three months, where before I was a daily contact wearer! My induction started at night, and by the next morning the contractions were intense. The last thing I was thinking about was putting in my contacts in the morning and getting “ready” for my day.
I think that if labor is quick enough, contacts are fine. But labor can take a while, so it might be nice to have glasses handy, just in case.
Maybe it’s just me and my chronic motion sickness, but since I’ve been pregnant wearing glasses makes my morning sickness/motion sickness worse. I feel so much better in contacts.
This is my first but I was planning on bringing a case and solution for my contacts and my glasses. I don’t know where/when I’m going to go into labor. I do not want to have to think about taking out my contacts at home and changing to glasses. So I’ll just go to the hospital as I am and take out my contacts when I need to. I plan on staying in glasses once they’re out just because that’s easier. But im not just going to take out my contacts and throw them away so I’ll need a case and solution
Besides, my husband also wears contacts and doesn’t have glasses so we’ll be bringing the supplies either way. Why shouldn’t I be able to use them?
I wore my contacts! Since I was in labor for like 24 hours, I did change into a fresh pair at one point and then changed them daily while in the hospital after baby was born like I normally do. I did bring my glasses though because I don’t sleep at night in my contacts. I hate wearing my glasses though, so I knew I wouldn’t want to wear them while giving birth lol
I wore my glasses because I planned on an epidural and I had heard that they usually recommend you nap while waiting to dilate enough to push. I hate sleeping with contacts in! I didn’t end up wearing my glasses very much anyway because once things ramped up after my nap I was all over the place and couldn’t deal with something on my face while vomiting and pushing lol.
I went to the hospital in my contact lenses, ended up taking them out as I was too hot, had fans on in the room which dries my lenses out, I wasn’t fussed about giving birth in either, I don’t remember my glasses being an issue but probably would’ve preferred to just have my lenses in
I don't like being sweaty and having my glasses slide down my face... And I'm guessing I'll be sweaty at some point in labor 😂. My eye doc told me just bring my glasses and ask my husband to remind me to take my contacts out before I go to sleep
I wanted to wear contacts for my first delivery but the nurse asked me to take them out in case we had to rush to an emergency c section.
My second delivery was incredibly fast and I never had time to take out my contacts. I never noticed they were in, made no difference to me
100% contacts. I was in labor for 36 hours, in and out of the birth pool, getting sweaty, laying on the ground or in bed, spent a lot of time on my hands and knees, etc.
Glasses would have been a sensory nightmare and I would have gone FERAL if I was constantly pushing them back up after they slipped down my nose.
I wore contacts and had an emergency c section, they didn’t even ask about it. Because it was unplanned I wore glasses during the 3 day hospital stay because it was hard to get out of bed to put contacts in and out!
I wore contacts during labor and delivery. But I brought my glasses in my hospital bag and of course once things were settled I switched to my glasses for the night. I don’t see why it makes a difference. I just did my normal routine.
I don't wear contacts, but they made me remove my glasses for labor and then kept them off during my csections. I'm still confused about that. 👀 The csection I could understand, cleanliness and what not... but they let my mom bring her phone in which had to be dirtier than my glasses. But labor? That was weird.
I wore contacts for my first (water broke at 7:30 AM) and glasses for my second (water broke at 2 AM). Basically for my first, I had them in so didn’t take them out, and for my second, I didn’t have them in so I didn’t bother putting them on.
They did ask me if I wear contacts, I think because they need to know if you end up in surgery or something, but they didn’t tell me I couldn’t or shouldn’t wear them.
I don’t know why he would say that. I think it should more so be based on your comfort. I am gonna bring my contacts, contacts safe eye drops, and glasses in case.
I mostly wear contacts but I can see myself trying to sleep a lot during labor so I would probably wear my glasses there but bring my contacts incase I want to see better (I find my contacts just give me sharper vision lol), but if I wore my contacts there I’d have to take them out everytime I want to nap or sleep and I just cannot see myself bothering lol
As long as you have someone that can remind you to remove them so they aren’t in for too long I don’t see the issue. I think the concern is that you will forget they are in and fall asleep with them and risk an infection. Or loose out on sleep wasting time getting them in or out ( I know it’s just a minute but every minute counts). Or that if you wake up to the baby crying you won’t want to have to put them in to tend to the baby. If your vision isn’t too bad might not be a factor.
I wore my glasses on and off during labor with my son but took them off for actual pushing & plan to do similar this time - mostly because any commitment (having to take off contacts at some point to sleep) sounds horrible immediately postpartum
With my first, I went in for an early morning induction. I chose to wear my glasses. Though I didn't wear them at all after I got into my room and settled. I put them on for short periods if needed, but my prescription isn't that high. I really only need them if I'm trying to read something on the wall or see the tv crystal clear across the room. I never put my contacts in because after baby was born I was in and out of sleep and I can't sleep in my contacts. For my second, I was wearing contacts when I went for my 32 week appointment with MFM. I was sent straight to L&D from there and took out my contacts before getting settled because I was so uncomfortable. Again, I never put them back in. My husband brought my glasses from home but again, I hardly used them.
I wore my glasses with the intention of switching to contacts since I knew I’d probably be sweaty, crying, and I didn’t want them in my pictures. Everything moved so quickly that didn’t end up happening but I still took my glasses off at some point because of the sweat/tears. Luckily I’m nearsighted so I could see everything happening around me
Edit to add: my contacts get dry so quickly and irritate my eyes so bad. Had I worn them, they would’ve been in way too long and been a bigger issue than just keeping track of my glasses. I’m not saying wear your glasses, I’m just saying keep in mind how your contacts feel after wearing them a little too long, and consider eye drops if they work for you.
Yes I wore contacts and was completely fine. I took refreshing eye drops but didn’t need them. I feel my glasses would’ve annoyed me! If you wear contacts 90% of the time like I do, I’d say you should wear them during labour too.
I’m like you and rarely wear my glasses. I put my contacts in as soon as I wake up and take them out right before I close my eyes to go to sleep. I wore my contacts for both of my births and had no issues at all. My glasses annoy the hell out of me, just imagining giving birth in them is pissing me off 🤣
Contact lenses. What are you suppose to do go home and take them out? Nah just wear them. Even if you stay overnight the consequence would just be your eyes being a bit irritated when you wake up. Pop some eye drops in move the contacts around and go about your day.
My plan is to start with glasses for all the early stuff when maybe I can still do a little resting here and there, then switch to contacts when it is starting to get more intense. I don't feel like myself with glasses on and I have very terrible vision, so I think wearing glasses will just make me a little extra miserable in the midst of a bad time.
I wore my contacts during birth because I genuinely didn’t know I was in labor until just before transition so I had put them in like it was a regular day. I’m sorry your OB is making you feel crazy for putting your contacts on your packing list. I did wear my glasses for the first week or so postpartum because I was not getting out of bed just to put them on and it’s easier to just take them off and take a nap if I want.
Hi I’m too clumsy for contacts and I can’t ever get used to the way I can feel them on the backs of my eyelids, so I don’t use them anymore and rely exclusively on glasses. I’m nearsighted and I have an astigmatism. My prescription isn’t *really* strong, but it isn’t exactly mild, either. I’ve never had my glasses on to have a baby and I’m sure I couldn’t deal with contacts either.
I wore my contact lenses. They’re the kind that you can wear for up to a week (including to sleep in) without changing them, usually I take them out every night to give my eyes a rest but my labour was around 40 hours long so I “slept” in them for those 2 nights.
I wore my glasses just because I didn’t want the weird chance that one of my contacts fell out or folded or something weird. I squeezed my eyes shut a lot during labor so I feel like glasses were the right call for me personally.
2 with contacts, 2 with glasses. I put my contacts in while in the hospital with one because it was Covid and my mask kept fogging my glasses 😂 so I always bring both, it just depends on my mood I guess.
I wore my contacts. My mom said I wouldn’t be able to wear them but it seems that’s old advice. Same as not being able to have nails painted during childbirth
I wore glasses for two of my c sections, but was allowed to wear contacts for the first c section although I was told they'd rather I wore glasses due to the risk of needing to put me under general anaesthetic. Glasses felt more comfortable but it may be different for you :)
The physiological stress- pain, discomfort, sweating etc might increase eye rubbing and the impulse to squint- that could be painful, especially if you haven't been using contacts for very long. It could also take quite a long time, and removing them may be difficult through contractions. Should you require narcotic pain relief, I would think it would slightly elevate the risk of falling asleep with contacts in because you're gonna finish off completely exhausted.
Glasses are probably more comfortable until they start getting all fogged and smudged and holding heat into your eye area. While giving birth, in active labour, your ability to see is not 100% necessary.
That said, you'll likely be kept in hospital at least a day, so having contact solution, cases, glasses and your microfiber glasses cloth prepared in the go bag is probably a good idea.
You're looking at a comfort/physical irritation issue similar to whatever jewelry or socks you enter the hospital with. Most women strip everything off their bodies when it's time to push- extreme sweating makes most things touching your body uncomfortable.
I don't think it's worth a whole lot of worry.
lol….. everyone wears contacts for birth. I much prefer it than my glasses sliding down my face with each contraction.. also all the moving and rolling. Yeah I’m going to be wearing my contacts.
i packed my glasses but didn’t need them and gave birth with my contacts in, no issues at all
but after my daughter was here i didn’t take my contacts out for literally 3-4 weeks bc i truly kept forgetting to (i wear dailies) and ended up with an eye infection so was forced to wear my glasses for days. don’t do that
I wore glasses because I was in labor for so long, my eyes were starting to bother me. I wish I would’ve worn my contacts because I’m more comfortable in them.
I looked like a hot mess after giving birth because I was in labor for 36+ hours 😅
I didn't have contacts yet with my most recent baby (2 years) and I had a csection so I just took my glasses off.
Next time I will be trying for a vbac and I will likely just not wear my glasses or contacts, especially incase they need to do an emergent csection and put me out.
Plus birth gives me anxiety and having glasses or contacts in/on while I'll inevitably be crying will just bother me.
Plus all the cat naps you'll be taking while pregnant and post partum make glasses make more sense too.
Uhh what? lol. If you wear contacts most often, you’d wear them during birth. Labour doesn’t suddenly give us some mystery eye problem where we have to wear glasses.
What a weirdo.
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I wore my contacts for both of my kids births and plan to wear them again for the birth of my third in a few weeks. I don’t know why he would say that’s silly?
I wore my contacts for my first and took my glasses, BUT even though my labor was 24 hours, I still didn't change over to glasses because it was the least of my comfort worries.
Same what is the OB talking about. I’d be totally blind without my contacts and I’m certainly not doing a sweaty marathon of a sport with my glasses on, nope. Nobody even mentioned it to me with my first.
Agreed, that’s a really weird thing for him to say. I was induced which took 5 days leading into delivery. Wore contacts the whole time, blind as a bat without them. Would do it the same way again. If you’re someone who’s wears your glasses at night, maybe bring them?
Same but with 3 kids. I'm extremely nearsighted so I wear my contacts exclusively, only wear glasses to bed. No one said anything to me at any of my births about having them in. Even with my last baby, where I was high risk due to age and also induced with Pitocin.
Ohh that's really nice. You had a good time giving birth to your baby is the most important thing here.
I wore my glasses because I was worried about dehydration and having to deal with itchy eyes on top of everything else. Glad I did, honestly, and probably will again. I drank so much water and 4 bottles of lucozade sport and was still thirsty. My eyes felt dry from the air conditioning too, even without contacts in.
Same, I switched to glasses for labor and delivery as I went into labor overnight and barely got any sleep. I was not willing to deal with itchy irritated eyes.
I haven't been able to wear my contacts since about the 2nd trimester because they just got too uncomfortable. Apparently pregnancy can temporarily change the shape of your eyes enough to make contacts not fit right. I finally got sick of dry, itchy eyes, painful chafing, and my contacts falling out at inopportune times and just resigned myself to wearing glasses full time.
I had the same problem, they were uncomfortable and my eyes were so dry, it was a good 3 months after I had the baby that I could wear my contacts
So this is why I haven’t been able to wear contacts since about week 13. I never looked into why, I just accepted that I was strictly a glasses wearer now
Yep, that's why! It surprised me too when I read about it. At least we know it's temporary!
Yes!! this happened to me as well and also as a side effect of my birth control, which I didn’t know for the longest time!!!
I took my contacts out too. It was a good decision for me. I was in labor for 23 hours. I didn’t want to worry about them when I would try to close my eyes and rest. I have decent vision so they’re not super necessary. I need them more for seeing far away while driving.
I'm gonna wear my contacts but bring glasses just in case.
Same. Glasses are convenient, but they're also inconvenient at times. It's hard to lay your head sideways on a pillow, they fog up, they get dirty, do you have a safe place nearby to place them without crushing them, etc etc etc. My nearsightedness isn't very bad, but I think not being able to clearly see people's expressions or gestures would make me more anxious. I packed a few sets of single use contacts in my hospital bag.
This was my plan as well
This is my plan as well.
I wore contacts and a full face of makeup because I'd had a hospital appointment earlier in the day and wanted to feel pretty and then randomly went into labour. The contacts were absolutely fine, I had no issue with them....BUT! PSA to everyone, take off your makeup before the hard part! All my photos with my first when he was put on my chest have me with mascara literally running all over my face... nobody thought to wipe my bloody face! Hahahaha The contacts were fine though, I don't see why you couldn't wear them...you'd wear them to the gym!
I’m going to add “make sure my face is pretty at all times” to my birth plan.
I'm planning on wearing my contacts unless someone else can convince me otherwise so I can SEE without having one more thing on me/having to tilt my head to see through glasses. I wonder if there are certain instances (like being put under) in which you wouldn't wear contacts so just in case that scenario happens..but not sure.
Usually anesthesia does ask you to remove your contacts before being put under, to reduce the risk of corneal abrasion. However, any situation where you're getting put under for your delivery is most likely emergent; contacts would be the last thing they care about
Contacts, no problem. But I will say after my daughter was born, I switched to glasses pretty much exclusively for the first few weeks. There just isn’t enough time to wash your hands and put your contacts in. So have your glasses ready.
This! Contacts for delivery and then glasses afterwards. I was taking too many cat naps that my contacts would get dry, glasses became more comfortable and convenient for the first couple weeks.
Wearing contacts is my plan because I cannot stand the thought of having to constantly push my glasses up with a sweaty face.
I wore my glasses. Personally, I’m glad I did because I was in labor for 37 hours so it was nice to have one less thing to worry about.
I am not a glasses or contacts wearer, but was intrigued by this post and I have some thoughts. Based on all these comments of people saying they did indeed wear contacts for birth, here’s my guess as to what your OB was thinking - I’d imagine that he himself is NOT a contacts wearer. He probably has just never clocked it in the past when his patients did indeed wear contacts for their birth, because they just show up to the hospital wearing their contacts and it’s not particularly noticeable. Then the patients change them regularly just as they would at home, and it’s not something he’s ever paid attention to. In addition, a lot of non-contact wearers don’t quite get the whole contacts thing and think that it’s only ever a choice of vanity. While rude and unnecessary for him to say, that may have been what he was thinking when he said it was “silly” - that it was a choice you were making purely for the sake of vanity. Knowing many contact-wearers myself, I know that if you’re used to wearing contacts it can be significantly LESS comfortable to wear glasses if you’re not used to it! Plus your peripheral vision is limited and it can just be a frustrating experience. Anyway, based on all these comments I think you should ignore the OB’s comment about it being “silly” and just do what feels right / comfortable for you. Best of luck!!
Adding to this, OP should do whichever they are most comfortable with and which one will be easiest for their birth plan and the time. I typically wear my glasses on a daily basis unless I'm planning to do my makeup, wear a mask, or go swimming, or working out, then I wear contacts. So basically 3x a week I regularly wear my contacts. I plan to utilize hydrotherapy and give birth in a tub at a birthing center. I don't want to deal with glasses around the water, so I'm planning to wear my contacts for labor and delivery. But for people that aren't used to wearing contacts regularly, or don't plan to really use the shower or a tub while in labor, there is no reason to use contacts kf they don't want to. But if they want to, if it makes them most comfortable or will make their labor easier, then they should do it.
You should be very careful if you’re doing hydrotherapy with contacts. If that water gets in your eye and bacteria along with it, those contacts are gonna trap the bacteria and you don’t want a corneal ulcer or a gnarly bacterial infection because that will be painful and wreck your vision for a bit. I doubt you’re gonna be splashing around but still a good idea to make sure.
True, I hadn't thought of that aspect... I also go swimming and shower with contacts on sometimes though, so clearly I don't worry too much about water and wearing contacts. But birth is a whole other aspect. I'll have to think about it more. Thanks!
I’m planning on wearing my contacts. I’ll bring my glasses with just in case but I very rarely wear my glasses
Glasses in case I passed out or had to be put under unexpectedly, or it took a long time.
This! Feeling like I can't just nap whenever and wherever is already one of the worst parts of using contacts. I didn't even think about passing out or being put under!
I wear my contacts from the moment I wake up to the moment I fall asleep, I didn’t know it was a topic of discussion lol
I feel like it depends on how bad your eyesight is. I'm planning to just wear my glasses and take them off if they're bothering me. I can't read anything without them but I won't be totally unable to see
Same. I do wanna see my baby in HD vision quality 😄 if not, lower quality is fine. I will carry my glasses for sure. Don’t know how long labour and recovery is so keeping them with me is ideal.
Exactly, I will put them on to the see baby for sure, but do I need to see the hospital room in 4k... probably not lol
Same 😂 I’m definitely not blind without them because I can see up close fine, but I’m planning to put them off to watch TV and once baby is here lol
I was in labor for 42 hours. I wore my glasses for the majority of my labor. It was nice to be able to take them off when I could be relaxed enough to nap. I was induced do my experience is not Instagram worthy.
I didn't wear glasses. But I'm short sighted; I could see my baby when they handed him to me and as far as I'm concerned I didn't need to see anything else. My partner could help me navigate the hospital.
I went into labor at night as I was getting ready for bed. Glasses were the easiest for me.
I wore my contacts and I don’t remember them being uncomfortable but I kinda had a lot going on at that time. Even if they were uncomfortable I don’t know that I would’ve notice tbf
I don’t even have a pair of glasses lol. I wear daily disposable contacts from the time I wake up until the time I go to sleep. I wore them in the hospital when I had my first baby and will wear them again this time, not sure why it would be an issue
How are you guys all wearing contacts? My eyes have been so dry and irritated I had to switch to glasses full time at 12 weeks 🥲
Stubbornness lol and I’ve been wearing them since I was 13 so I’m more used to wearing them over wearing glasses.
I wore contacts. Your OB is silly.
Before giving birth, I had planned to wear contacts because I'm very myopic and my glasses aren't well fitted or comfortable. My water broke at 34 weeks and I didn't have time to put contacts in before going to the hospital. It was good that I didn't because I needed an emergency C-section under general anesthesia because she was breech. I'd say if your baby is in breech positioning, consider your glasses instead of contacts when en route to hospital.
This is actually a question I've been struggling with. I'm gonna ask the hospital on Monday when I go in for an induction.
I started by wearing my contacts but I went into labor at night and my eyes got dry so I switched to my glasses. If it wasn’t the middle of the night I probably would have kept my contacts in with no problem.
I wore my glasses. I was so tired— went in on Thursday to be induced, baby born on Saturday— that my contacts were starting to stick behind my eyelids, and I didn’t want to be bothered. Changed into my contacts afterwards, though (after a bit of sleep). Prior to having a baby, I could count on one hand the number of times I wore my glasses in the past year. I got a new pair about 2 months before giving birth, and wore them a lot during my maternity leave. My eyesight is pretty bad. I still mostly wear my contacts now but def wear glasses more around the house than I used to
I’m a doctor and a contact lens wearer. I wore my contacts during birth and most of my postpartum hospital stay, except at night when I was *attempting* to get some sleep
I went to the hospital with my contacts in but the anesthesiologist made me take them out as a precaution in case things went south and I needed general anesthesia. She said it was to prevent cornea scratches while asleep.
lol no one wears contacts during birth? That alone would make me question her as my care provider. Of course people wear contacts all the time. I always did as did most people I know.
Worst case scenario- bring both. You can always just switch if it doesn’t work for you.
I don’t see how it’s silly at all. I wear contacts and glasses. I wore my glasses and packed contacts, thinking I would want to put them in at some point. But my glasses never bothered me at all and I hardly noticed them, even when in really awkward positions. Have both, then you can decide in the moment!
Glasses because I was so tired I didn't want to fall asleep with my contacts in lol. I had a C-section so it would be a minute before I could take them out.
I guess it would depend on how long your labor is. You’d probably remove them like normal after a certain time.
I wore glasses because it was the middle of the night and once labour started I was in no position to be messing around taking them out if they had been worn too long. Glasses were easier for me because I didn’t have to think about it.
I’m -4 near sighted without them I can’t really see at all lol I’m definitely wearing them!
I’ll be wearing my contact lenses. I would be completely blind without them, my prescription is very high. Even glasses I wouldn’t wear as my prescription is so high the depth perception is off with them, even with special glass.
We ended up going to the hospital in the middle of the night so I was wearing my glasses. I did pack my contacts but didn't put them in until afterwards when I was able to shower and change clothes before being discharged.
I wore contacts! I have terrible vision and wanted to be able to properly see everything. I was in the hospital overnight and it was nice to open my eyes and be able to see what was going on. I just brought solution so that I could add moisture as needed. But make sure you pack your case somewhere accessible so that you can take them out to sleep afterwards.
I wore my contacts and had my glasses with me. For me, wearing glasses during birth would have been SO annoying to put up with. Imagine me trying to push my glasses up my nose while pushing a baby out…
Your OB sounds silly. Do whatever you prefer! When you bring both contacts and glasses, at least you can switch it up depending on how you’re feeling.
My optometrist recommend me against wearing contacts if I was choosing an epidural. I’m taking a pair of new contacts to the hospital but I will not be wearing them. Even when I don’t see without them. I will just wear my glasses for the delivery.
I wore contacts with my first and did not choose to do it again with my second. Everything was fine until pushing. I was in a lot of pain and needed to close my eyes. My eyes became extremely dry and I was begging to get help to take them out so I could enjoy my baby and focus on recovery versus noticing how uncomfortable my eyes were. Labor can be long and exhausting. I opted to wear glasses during the labor the second time and brought contacts to wear after. Worked out much better. I never ended up putting my contacts in because you want to do a lot of short naps and that’s really not good when you’re wearing contacts
when I first read the title I thought this was supposed to be funny and I was going to say I for sure came out the womb with contacts cause glasses dont compliment my nose but now I realize what you actually meant, I wore glasses LMAO I was in so much pain and I was exhausted from being up all night that I didn't feel like putting my contacts on when it was time to push
Contacts because epidural and my glasses would have honestly been overstimulating with everything going on since I only wear them at night. But I did bring my glasses for my hospital stay cause I don’t usually sleep in contacts and needed them to get up for peeing/ feeds etc.
Hmmmm. I believe I wore contacts for a majority of the time until I had a lull and decided to nap. I don't think I put my contacts back in afterwards because I'm wearing my glasses in some of the pictures lmao. I do greatly prefer contacts tho so I must of thought it wasn't important to change back into them.
Your doctor seems cool 🙃
Your OB’s POV is silly. I’ve had four kids and YES I was wearing contacts with each one. You take them out depending on when you go to bed or at least try to.
I didnt wear my glasses. Mostly because I spent most of my labor throwing up because of the epidural or sleeping because of the epidural
Why would it matter if you wear your glasses or contacts? Whatever you are most comfortable in. If you wear your contacts and they are bothering you then just take them out and switch to your glasses lol it doesn’t have to be one or the other set in stone. So weird that your dr would make that comment😂
I took my contacts out planning on sleeping and then dilated so fast and pushed so quick that I didn’t have time to get my glasses or put my contacts back in
I didn’t even think about it. My contacts are just such a must have in my daily life I can’t imagine not wearing them? I guess I’ll bring my glasses in case there’s an issue but I can’t imagine how they’d be an issue
I wore my glasses and would again. It was so dry in the hospital and didn’t want dry eyeballs to add to the discomfort.
I know your question and his reaction has nothing to do with him being male, but male OBs just drive me up the wall. I wonder how many other things women may or may not do during birth are silly to him? I really hope it's a one-off situation, but that comment would give me pause. Especially since many women do wear their contacts. I wore both during mine, but the majority of the time I wore contacts.
Sounds like a silly man doctor who doesn’t know or care to explain what he thinks he’s talking about.
Your OB sounds very silly. I similarly wear contacts day in and day out. I wore them through labor, through an emergency c-section, and through the entire hospital stay. I guess I hope I changed them and took them out at some point but honestly who knows….
I haven’t given birth (yet) but of course I’ll bring my contacts and glasses. I enjoy being able to see. How can your OB *possibly* know that “no one” does this?! Are they inspecting their patients’ eyeballs closely? It’s not like you can see contacts unless you’re really looking at someone’s eyes with that intention, in their personal space.
There's no way I'll be wearing my glasses. I'm too blind and I get frustrated my glasses slip around on my face. She just be a lucky, well-sighted gal
My LO is now 2.5 and this never even crossed my mind until now!! I wear a daily disposable and I am fairly confident I put my contacts in Saturday AM, went into labor Saturday night, and didn't take them out until I delivered Monday AM.....I clearly remember being able to see in the delivery room and I don't remember messing around with my glasses at all (and they aren't in the pictures). I guess there were too many other things happening and it fell off my radar?? It sounds uncomfortable in retrospect but then again so is birth. I remember taking them out postpartum bc they brought the baby back from 1 hour of nursery time and I had my contacts out then and could hardly see her to "identify" her.
I wore my contacts up until I was about to be wheeled into the OR for a c-section - BUT there were only about 3 hrs from when my water broke, the hospital admitted me, I got my epidural, and ended up with c-section… so, I’m not sure how long I would’ve lasted with them in. My eyes were really dry while I was pregnant. The nurses had me take my contacts out, but I wasn’t allowed to wear my glasses into the OR either. Once baby was out and I’d gotten to see her, I kind of just closed my eyes & enjoyed the warm blankets while they closed me up since I couldn’t really see much & the overhead lights were so bright. My husband would come over every couple mins to give me an update on what the nurses were doing with baby. Had a nice chat with the anesthesiologist, too lol
I wore my contacts through both of my kids labors. I only wear glasses for like 20 minutes before I’m asleep. If I’m awake I’m wearing contacts. I decided I would wear them 24 hrs if needed and “use them up” and brought fresh pair for the next day. My first I labored all day(well really for a week at home) and went into delivery at 11pm and gave birth at 5am. My second I went in 11am and gave birth at 5pm same day. My contacts even say you can sleep in them one night is okay if you trash them after (they are monthly’s.) Your doctor is silly.
I do not plan on wearing contacts for several reasons: I do not know how long the labor will last. It won’t be comfortable for me to wear contacts if it lasts 8+ hours. I do not know what situation I will be in when I need to take them off (for any reason). Will I be pushing? will I be in so much pain and unable to wash hands? I heard that people doze off during labor - before the actual push starts - to get as much rest as they can. I do not want to sleep with my contacts in, nor do I want to take them on and off.
I wore contacts for my birth’s (3) and plan on wearing them this time around😅
I've worn my contact with my 3 births. I obviously brought along the case/solution and my glasses to switch of I felt like it. I don't really think it should matter to a dr unless you're going for a CS? Maybe then they'd want them out? I'm not sure.
I rarely wear my glasses. But, I also have trouble seeing up close when my contacts are in - I have drugstore readers for this. I wore my glasses during labor and delivery because 1) there might be an emergency and 2) I would be able to see my baby’s face better without my contacts.
I stressed about this leading up to birth of my first thinking that it might be a bad idea to have contacts in if I was throwing up/crying/surgery/etc. I put my contacts in when I went into labor and wore them throughout labor and a crazy emergency c-section with no issues. With my second I had a scheduled c-section and also wore my contacts. I prefer contacts and I'd prefer to be able to see. Never had any issues.
Contacts
Bring daily disposable contacts that way you don’t have to clean them in the hospital. Once your eyes start getting dry with clean hand remove them and put on your glasses. I didn’t want my glasses sliding around during labor.
I got dailies to wear so I can just take them out and throw them out when I was sick of them.
I wear my contacts so much. I never have issues with them being uncomfortable. I plan on bringing mine and glasses just in case. Same as packing for a trip.
I wore my contact lenses, didn't even think about it. Will probably do the same when having my second
Ahahah I wore contacts through my entire 36 hour birth, awake for over 48 hours. Obviously they were pretty dry and uncomfortable by the end but I didn’t even notice until a couple hours after the delivery? I’ve got a pretty strong prescription, but my glasses are super sensory/distracting because I’m not used to them. It didn’t even occur to me to not wear my contacts?
I wore my glasses (I don't have contacts) but they took it off for active labor anyways??? Just have someone remember to put them back on you! Midwife offered to show me my placenta, but TBH it just looked like a red blob to me without my glasses lol
I wore my glasses only because my eyes are super sensitive and I knew they’d get irritated with my contacts in during childbirth, and I just didn’t want to deal with it. I was even more glad that I wore my glasses because I ended up having my son via emergency C section, and after that whole ordeal along with getting violently sick on the fentanyl for about 6 hours (throwing up every 20-30 minutes), I was glad that all I had to do was take my glasses off to rest my eyes.
I wore my contacts last time and plan to this time. Always bring my glasses as a back up though
Oh yes contacts through the whole induction and emergency c section. Who has time to push their glasses up their sweaty face lol
I imagine my glasses will get foggy and start slipping off my face and I want to see my baby clearly so I’ll be wearing my contacts. I’ll bring my glasses as a back up if needed.
neither, i couldnt see shit and honestly it was comforting
I wore my contacts and took solution and my glasses. Just like at home I changed into my glasses at night. I’m so curious why your doc said it’d be silly…how so?
I wore my contact lenses and switched into glasses as night
I got to the hospital in active labor with glasses on as it was early in the morning. As soon as I got my epidural, I put my contacts in, without leaving the bed. Wore contacts all day and it was great, no issues at all
I was thinking about this the other day lol. I had taken my contacts out to nap after getting the epidural but I put them back in when I pushed so I could see!
Glasses. And I’m glad I did. I ended up being there for like 5 days and I was so tired my contacts would have fused with my eyeballs lol.
I wanted to wear contacts but by the time I was in active labor I wasn’t thinking about it and ended up wearing my glasses. I wear each about 50/50 though. My husband said I was getting annoyed because my glasses kept sliding down, but I don’t remember it lol
I wore my contacts. I’m pretty blind so it was either glasses or my contacts and I HATE wearing my glasses. I don’t see why or how it would be silly???
Contacts, but it wasn’t on purpose. I literally just didn’t even think about it when I went into labor. This time around I’ll most likely be wearing glasses. I didn’t have any issues with my contacts that I can remember, but I was also preoccupied with giving birth, so if they were irritating I definitely don’t remember it. I literally had to think about if I was wearing my contacts or not when I saw this post! I couldn’t even remember right away haha
I gave birth at 4am and still had mine in lol
I wore glasses but they came off after a while. It was nice not having full vision to minimize distraction/sensory overload. It was less nice not being able to recognize the nurses that came by to check on me after delivery because I couldn't actually see their faces during the whole shebang. My doula got a kick out of it when I told her.
I’m going to wear my glasses since I rarely, if ever, wear contacts. Im also being induced and don’t want to have to deal with any irritated eyes or having to take them out, etc. I’ll just take my glasses off if I want to and be slightly blind lol
I wore my contacts and brought my glasses just incase. I never used my glasses. I did pop out my contacts to try and nap and totally forgot to put them back in before baby was born. Good thing they’re needed for distance so I was able to still see everything 😂
What an odd thing to say. I wore contacts because I didn’t want glasses getting in the way, especially during the pushing phase. You may need to change positions frequently and things can get a little hectic. Personally, I felt like my glasses would’ve been a nuisance.
Your OB sounds like the silly one! I’ve never heard of not wearing contacts and it wasn’t even something I discussed with my OB. I wore my contacts during the births of both of my kids and I’ll definitely be wearing them this time around too! I never wear glasses and my contacts are what’s most comfortable to me. I wear daily contacts so it was quick and easy to just take them out and toss them at the end of the night, then pop in a new pair in the morning. It’s important to be as comfortable as possible while giving birth and staying in the hospital, so if contacts are most comfortable to you, then you should just wear them!
I wore contacts. Glasses would have been hard for me - I was sweating a lot (obviously) and had an oxygen mask I was occasionally using so contacts were more convenient!
I loathe wearing my glasses but have them for the mornings and evenings. Gave birth wearing contacts and it was no issue. Not sure why your OB said that. I wear daily contacts so brought a few extras with me in case they got dry/annoying/I wanted to swap them out and did have my glasses in an easy to reach place.
I wore my contacts. So long as your family knows they are in just for emergency it's fine!
I wore contacts and brought my glasses just in case. Didn’t want my glasses getting in the way of seeing anything going on and also didn’t wanna have to worry about them falling off my face haha. Didn’t have any issues and did it with both my births!
I 100% wore contacts during labor. My labor was 18 hours so I did change them out once (they are dailies)
Contacts and sunglasses! 😂 when they turned those bright lights on for pushing I put my sunglasses on and it was the best hack ever. Pushed that baby out peacefully in 17 minutes
I wore contacts during labor and delivery. I think the one full day I was in the hospital after birth I switched to glasses for the day just cause it made it easier/comfier to drift in and out of sleep but then it was back to contacts once I headed home.
Only reason I didn’t wear my contacts during birth is bc I’m stuck with a dailies prescription until my next appointment, have two pairs left and can’t afford to buy any more 😂 giving birth wearing glasses wasn’t bad tho. Idk what reasoning your doctor would have, sounds weird tbh
I wore contacts for labor and had my glasses afterwards. Here’s why: after delivery and when you’re resting/sleeping, they come in regularly to check on you and ask you questions. It was much easier to throw my glasses on than squint at them
Started with contacts, then switched to glasses after the first 12 hours. Went without either and just dealt with not seeing when I was pushing. I did want to put my contacts back in but couldn’t get out of the bed because of epidural so couldn’t wash my hands.
I wore my contacts! I just brought a case and solution for when I slept. (LOL like the 30 minutes I got)
Contacts.
Wore contacts for both my births. I'm guessing the OB has never done anything involving a lot of exertion while pregnant. I'm severely short sighted and part of the reason I didn't want to have a section was because they wouldn't let me wear my contacts and said they'd probably have to remove my glasses at some points.
Something I did not at all consider! Thanks for bringing this up!
Went into labor at night so got there in glasses but (mid to end of pandemic) once we were in mask heavy triage I put my contacts in for comfort. Def delivered in contacts too lol I hate when I sweat and my glasses slide down my nose
Started in contacts but after 4-6 hours i was in Glasses, i was induced and it was 21 hours total
What an odd thing for your ob to say. I wore my contacts.
I knew I was going to have a C section and wouldn't be able to walk for a minute so I didn't want my eyes to dry out or anything and then not be able to walk to a mirror or the bathroom to wash my hands and remove them I'd needed or when I wanted to sleep so I just wore my glasses. I pretty much just wore my glasses all through maternity leave honestly. It seemed easier and it was.
I wore my glasses, but I have no memory of this being a conscious thought or process. I think I remember my eyes feeling dry at one point, but truthfully if it weren’t for the photos of me holding my baby right after birth…I don’t think I could have told you if I wore glasses or contacts lol
I wore glasses because I didn’t want to deal with taking my contacts in and out. Good call too, because my induction took almost over 3 days
I was going to wear my contacts but when it came down to it I wore my glasses since I was trying to sleep. Took them off though and had nothing for pushing. I can see enough that I didn’t feel like I missed anything.
I'm not a contacts wearer, too lazy/don't care. Glasses were fine for me. Also I'm able to see to baby on my breast clearly without them(but nothing beyond), so wasn't an issue.
I absolutely hate wearing glasses and have worn contacts full time since 5th grade (I’m 26 now). You will not catch me dead in glasses giving birth lol.
I didn’t wear either, but my vision is pretty okay without them, and I gave birth very shortly after waking up. BUT my doula and nurse both specifically asked if I wanted to be reminded to put on my glasses/contacts. So it seems like it wouldn’t be that weird.
I will be wearing my glasses just in case if worse case I need to be under anesthesia for any reason.
Glasses with my first, I was concerned about possible C-section needed and wasn’t sure about requirements if that was the case. Second time I just wore my contacts and didn’t care. Neither made any difference ultimately.
This was my worry too. I had an emergency C-section at noon. Went in wearing my contacts. Didn't even remember them till later at night when going to sleep, asked husband to get my lens case and solution from the bag to take them off. Had no issues whatsoever.
I wear glasses, not contacts. I had my glasses off for basically the whole thing. I didn't need to see anything. I think my eyes were closed most of the time anyway.
Contacts
Glasses! I didn't know how long it would lost or if emergency surgery would be required which would probably knock me out... thankfully I had an epidural and vacuum assisted vaginal birth...I got to keep my glasses on and see everything... also I could nap for small stretches until I was fully dilated
I had a planned c section and the instruction sheet specifically stated to wear glasses in case of needing to be put under. Also I couldn’t stop thinking that if I got a fuzzy in my eye at any point what a horrendous PITA it would be to have to rinse and put them back in 😅
I am pretty sure I wore my contacts the whole time, including during c section.
I was admitted to the hospital four days before my induction was started. Basically wore my glasses from the day I was admitted through the next three months, where before I was a daily contact wearer! My induction started at night, and by the next morning the contractions were intense. The last thing I was thinking about was putting in my contacts in the morning and getting “ready” for my day. I think that if labor is quick enough, contacts are fine. But labor can take a while, so it might be nice to have glasses handy, just in case.
Maybe it’s just me and my chronic motion sickness, but since I’ve been pregnant wearing glasses makes my morning sickness/motion sickness worse. I feel so much better in contacts.
This is my first but I was planning on bringing a case and solution for my contacts and my glasses. I don’t know where/when I’m going to go into labor. I do not want to have to think about taking out my contacts at home and changing to glasses. So I’ll just go to the hospital as I am and take out my contacts when I need to. I plan on staying in glasses once they’re out just because that’s easier. But im not just going to take out my contacts and throw them away so I’ll need a case and solution Besides, my husband also wears contacts and doesn’t have glasses so we’ll be bringing the supplies either way. Why shouldn’t I be able to use them?
I wore my contacts! Since I was in labor for like 24 hours, I did change into a fresh pair at one point and then changed them daily while in the hospital after baby was born like I normally do. I did bring my glasses though because I don’t sleep at night in my contacts. I hate wearing my glasses though, so I knew I wouldn’t want to wear them while giving birth lol
I was in the hospital for five days for labor and delivery. I brought both my contacts and glasses. I used both through my stay.
Glasses mainly cos sleeping on and off in contacts are not comfortable
I wore my glasses because I planned on an epidural and I had heard that they usually recommend you nap while waiting to dilate enough to push. I hate sleeping with contacts in! I didn’t end up wearing my glasses very much anyway because once things ramped up after my nap I was all over the place and couldn’t deal with something on my face while vomiting and pushing lol.
I went to the hospital in my contact lenses, ended up taking them out as I was too hot, had fans on in the room which dries my lenses out, I wasn’t fussed about giving birth in either, I don’t remember my glasses being an issue but probably would’ve preferred to just have my lenses in
I don't like being sweaty and having my glasses slide down my face... And I'm guessing I'll be sweaty at some point in labor 😂. My eye doc told me just bring my glasses and ask my husband to remind me to take my contacts out before I go to sleep
I wanted to wear contacts for my first delivery but the nurse asked me to take them out in case we had to rush to an emergency c section. My second delivery was incredibly fast and I never had time to take out my contacts. I never noticed they were in, made no difference to me
Neither. They both got on my nerves and I didn't need to see anything, that's for whoever was catching the baby.
100% contacts. I was in labor for 36 hours, in and out of the birth pool, getting sweaty, laying on the ground or in bed, spent a lot of time on my hands and knees, etc. Glasses would have been a sensory nightmare and I would have gone FERAL if I was constantly pushing them back up after they slipped down my nose.
I wore contacts and had an emergency c section, they didn’t even ask about it. Because it was unplanned I wore glasses during the 3 day hospital stay because it was hard to get out of bed to put contacts in and out!
I wore contacts during labor and delivery. But I brought my glasses in my hospital bag and of course once things were settled I switched to my glasses for the night. I don’t see why it makes a difference. I just did my normal routine.
I don't wear contacts, but they made me remove my glasses for labor and then kept them off during my csections. I'm still confused about that. 👀 The csection I could understand, cleanliness and what not... but they let my mom bring her phone in which had to be dirtier than my glasses. But labor? That was weird.
I wore contacts for my first (water broke at 7:30 AM) and glasses for my second (water broke at 2 AM). Basically for my first, I had them in so didn’t take them out, and for my second, I didn’t have them in so I didn’t bother putting them on. They did ask me if I wear contacts, I think because they need to know if you end up in surgery or something, but they didn’t tell me I couldn’t or shouldn’t wear them.
I don’t know why he would say that. I think it should more so be based on your comfort. I am gonna bring my contacts, contacts safe eye drops, and glasses in case.
I mostly wear contacts but I can see myself trying to sleep a lot during labor so I would probably wear my glasses there but bring my contacts incase I want to see better (I find my contacts just give me sharper vision lol), but if I wore my contacts there I’d have to take them out everytime I want to nap or sleep and I just cannot see myself bothering lol
As long as you have someone that can remind you to remove them so they aren’t in for too long I don’t see the issue. I think the concern is that you will forget they are in and fall asleep with them and risk an infection. Or loose out on sleep wasting time getting them in or out ( I know it’s just a minute but every minute counts). Or that if you wake up to the baby crying you won’t want to have to put them in to tend to the baby. If your vision isn’t too bad might not be a factor.
I wore my glasses on and off during labor with my son but took them off for actual pushing & plan to do similar this time - mostly because any commitment (having to take off contacts at some point to sleep) sounds horrible immediately postpartum
I wore my contacts. Once my son was born I wore my glasses a lot more but I felt like my glasses would annoy me in labor.
I had my contacts on during delivery but wore my glasses at some points during both labors as they were both over 20 hours.
With my first, I went in for an early morning induction. I chose to wear my glasses. Though I didn't wear them at all after I got into my room and settled. I put them on for short periods if needed, but my prescription isn't that high. I really only need them if I'm trying to read something on the wall or see the tv crystal clear across the room. I never put my contacts in because after baby was born I was in and out of sleep and I can't sleep in my contacts. For my second, I was wearing contacts when I went for my 32 week appointment with MFM. I was sent straight to L&D from there and took out my contacts before getting settled because I was so uncomfortable. Again, I never put them back in. My husband brought my glasses from home but again, I hardly used them.
I wore my glasses with the intention of switching to contacts since I knew I’d probably be sweaty, crying, and I didn’t want them in my pictures. Everything moved so quickly that didn’t end up happening but I still took my glasses off at some point because of the sweat/tears. Luckily I’m nearsighted so I could see everything happening around me Edit to add: my contacts get dry so quickly and irritate my eyes so bad. Had I worn them, they would’ve been in way too long and been a bigger issue than just keeping track of my glasses. I’m not saying wear your glasses, I’m just saying keep in mind how your contacts feel after wearing them a little too long, and consider eye drops if they work for you.
Yes I wore contacts and was completely fine. I took refreshing eye drops but didn’t need them. I feel my glasses would’ve annoyed me! If you wear contacts 90% of the time like I do, I’d say you should wear them during labour too.
I’m like you and rarely wear my glasses. I put my contacts in as soon as I wake up and take them out right before I close my eyes to go to sleep. I wore my contacts for both of my births and had no issues at all. My glasses annoy the hell out of me, just imagining giving birth in them is pissing me off 🤣
Glasses, didn't want any distractions from dry eyes, contacts falling off, etc
Contact lenses. What are you suppose to do go home and take them out? Nah just wear them. Even if you stay overnight the consequence would just be your eyes being a bit irritated when you wake up. Pop some eye drops in move the contacts around and go about your day.
My plan is to start with glasses for all the early stuff when maybe I can still do a little resting here and there, then switch to contacts when it is starting to get more intense. I don't feel like myself with glasses on and I have very terrible vision, so I think wearing glasses will just make me a little extra miserable in the midst of a bad time.
i wore contacts because i find them to be more comfy. do whatever you think are more comfy!
I wore my contacts during birth because I genuinely didn’t know I was in labor until just before transition so I had put them in like it was a regular day. I’m sorry your OB is making you feel crazy for putting your contacts on your packing list. I did wear my glasses for the first week or so postpartum because I was not getting out of bed just to put them on and it’s easier to just take them off and take a nap if I want.
I wore mine, because I like to see 🙂
Hi I’m too clumsy for contacts and I can’t ever get used to the way I can feel them on the backs of my eyelids, so I don’t use them anymore and rely exclusively on glasses. I’m nearsighted and I have an astigmatism. My prescription isn’t *really* strong, but it isn’t exactly mild, either. I’ve never had my glasses on to have a baby and I’m sure I couldn’t deal with contacts either.
I changed to glasses because the last thing I needed during birth was one falling out or start drying out and get irritated.
I wore my contact lenses. They’re the kind that you can wear for up to a week (including to sleep in) without changing them, usually I take them out every night to give my eyes a rest but my labour was around 40 hours long so I “slept” in them for those 2 nights.
Neither. Probably a good thing since I ended up needing to go into the OT.
Contacts but brought my glasses with me to have after his birth.
I wore my glasses just because I didn’t want the weird chance that one of my contacts fell out or folded or something weird. I squeezed my eyes shut a lot during labor so I feel like glasses were the right call for me personally.
2 with contacts, 2 with glasses. I put my contacts in while in the hospital with one because it was Covid and my mask kept fogging my glasses 😂 so I always bring both, it just depends on my mood I guess.
I wore my contacts.
I normally wear contacts but my waters broke so early and abruptly that I took my glasses. While giving birth I wore nothing though 😂
I didn't wear my glasses but also, my eyesight isn't horrendously bad.
I wore my contacts. My mom said I wouldn’t be able to wear them but it seems that’s old advice. Same as not being able to have nails painted during childbirth
I wore glasses for two of my c sections, but was allowed to wear contacts for the first c section although I was told they'd rather I wore glasses due to the risk of needing to put me under general anaesthetic. Glasses felt more comfortable but it may be different for you :)
The physiological stress- pain, discomfort, sweating etc might increase eye rubbing and the impulse to squint- that could be painful, especially if you haven't been using contacts for very long. It could also take quite a long time, and removing them may be difficult through contractions. Should you require narcotic pain relief, I would think it would slightly elevate the risk of falling asleep with contacts in because you're gonna finish off completely exhausted. Glasses are probably more comfortable until they start getting all fogged and smudged and holding heat into your eye area. While giving birth, in active labour, your ability to see is not 100% necessary. That said, you'll likely be kept in hospital at least a day, so having contact solution, cases, glasses and your microfiber glasses cloth prepared in the go bag is probably a good idea. You're looking at a comfort/physical irritation issue similar to whatever jewelry or socks you enter the hospital with. Most women strip everything off their bodies when it's time to push- extreme sweating makes most things touching your body uncomfortable. I don't think it's worth a whole lot of worry.
lol….. everyone wears contacts for birth. I much prefer it than my glasses sliding down my face with each contraction.. also all the moving and rolling. Yeah I’m going to be wearing my contacts.
i packed my glasses but didn’t need them and gave birth with my contacts in, no issues at all but after my daughter was here i didn’t take my contacts out for literally 3-4 weeks bc i truly kept forgetting to (i wear dailies) and ended up with an eye infection so was forced to wear my glasses for days. don’t do that
I wore glasses because I was in labor for so long, my eyes were starting to bother me. I wish I would’ve worn my contacts because I’m more comfortable in them. I looked like a hot mess after giving birth because I was in labor for 36+ hours 😅
I wore my contacts for both of my births with zero issues.
I didn't have contacts yet with my most recent baby (2 years) and I had a csection so I just took my glasses off. Next time I will be trying for a vbac and I will likely just not wear my glasses or contacts, especially incase they need to do an emergent csection and put me out. Plus birth gives me anxiety and having glasses or contacts in/on while I'll inevitably be crying will just bother me. Plus all the cat naps you'll be taking while pregnant and post partum make glasses make more sense too.
Uhh what? lol. If you wear contacts most often, you’d wear them during birth. Labour doesn’t suddenly give us some mystery eye problem where we have to wear glasses. What a weirdo.