I APPLIED MAKE-UP BETWEEN CONTRACTIONS!

Naomi Isted, 44, wanted to look her best when she gave birth

- MISHAAL KHAN

Grabbing the mirror from the table beside me, I sat up in bed and checked my reflection, making sure my hair and lip gloss were still intact. ‘Could you pass my hairbrush?’ I asked my husband Haydn, then 36, who was sitting in the chair beside me. ‘You look great,’ he reassured with a smile. It was September 2009 and, while it might sound as though I was getting ready for a night out, I was in fact in hospital – in the midst of labour with my firstborn! With a break between contractions, I took the time to give my appearance a once-over.

It was an important day in my life, and I’d worked hard to make sure I was feeling my best – and that meant looking my best. In the days before I was induced, I’d dedicated time to all my regular beauty treatments – hair, nails, tan – the works. And I’d gone into labour feeling as confident as I could.

MAKING AN EFFORT

I’ve taken pride in my appearance for as long as I can remember. My career as a broadcaster kicked off when I was just 16 on regional news, so being presentable and looking my best became a part of my daily routine. In my 20s, I started experimenting with fillers in my lips and tried botulinum toxin injections, too.

When I fell pregnant aged 29, I saw no reason why I should give up on my appearance. The first item to be packed into my hospital bag was my make-up bag and a compact mirror. I worked out regularly during pregnancy, doing yoga and swimming, and didn’t even ditch my trusty heels.