A GLAM mum booked a lash and brow appointment HOURS before her planned C-section.
Melissa Oakes wanted to "look perfect" giving birth - but claims she actually ended up looking "horrific".
The 28-year-old was booked in for a planned cesarean seven months into her pregnancy because her baby was sitting breech in the womb.
And after being given an exact time and date, she booked in for a full beauty transformation just hours before.
On the day of her planned birth, Melissa forked out £50 to have a set of Russian lashes applied and spent £15 getting her eyebrows waxed.
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The secretary says she was "so bothered by how she looked", she also squeezed in a £25 spray tan in her kitchen the night before and a fresh set of £25 gel nails.
Before heading to hospital, Melissa further pampered herself with a bath, a full moisturising routine and hair curling.
The mum-of-one said that her boyfriend Matthew Shaw, also 28, thought she was "crazy".
"Having my appointment the morning of [my c-section] helped calm my nerves," Melissa, from Wigan in Greater Manchester, says.
"My eye lash technician did think I was crazy having it the morning of but they needed to be perfect.
"My boyfriend also thought I was crazy but I think he is used to it.
"At this point, as I get beauty treatments every two weeks. I don't think he expected anything less."
"I really didn't like being pregnant. It took a massive toll on my body and mental health and I think he knew by me going to these beauty treatments made me feel better and this made him happy."
The glam mum says she was "just trying to keep as relaxed as possible" in the days leading up to her birth.
"Looking back now, I was so bothered by how I looked, but I wish I hadn't gone through with all the treatment," she admits.
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"I was rushing around before her birth trying to get to all the treatments and the end outcome wasn't about me, it was about my daughter.
"The pictures my boyfriend has of me are the most horrific things that cannot surface this earth and I thought even after all the work I had done, it didn't make me look any better if I'm honest."
After arriving at the hospital at midday, Melissa gave birth to her 7lbs 3oz daughter Leonora Shaw at 5pm on August 5th 2021.
She said before being pregnant she was obsessed with social media and how she looked but now says she doesn't prioritise her online appearance.
"I am a firm believer of having no regrets and I think if I was to go through it again, I may not go as extravagant because in the end it doesn't matter," Melissa says.
"All that matters is that your baby is safe and healthy, so I won't put as much effort next time.
"I don't regret it but I have learnt a lesson of what is important.
"Before having a baby, I was so concerned about my social media and now I don't care about this."
And, after posting photos on TikTok about her pre-birth lash and brow appointments, Melissa's post racked up more than 71,000 views and 3,000 likes and users were quick to comment they had done the same.
"I know loads of girls that have had all these treatments done before giving birth," she says.
"I think one person commented on my post announcing her birth saying 'omg you have lashes on' but 99% of the other comments said I looked great."
