'Pregnancy is not a disease': Bengaluru mom explains why she applied lipstick during labour, says makeup helped her distract herself from contractions

A few contractions, a lipstick in hand and a woman choosing to experience one of the most intense moments of her life on her own terms. For Myra Sharma, a Bengaluru and Patna-based engineer and content creator, applying lipstick while in labour was not about looking glamorous or pretending that childbirth was easy. It was simply her way of keeping herself occupied and finding a little comfort during a physically demanding experience.When she shared a video of herself getting ready amid labour contractions on Instagram, it quickly caught people's attention. While some appreciated her choice, the post also brought up a familiar issue faced by women: why are their personal choices so often questioned, especially during pregnancy and motherhood? Myra, however, had an explanation for her decision. And it went beyond makeup.Why Myra chose lipstick over sitting idle during labourIn her Instagram video, Myra was seen applying lipstick while experiencing labour contractions. Anticipating that people might judge her without understanding the situation, she asked viewers to read her caption before forming an opinion. She explained that applying makeup was a way to distract herself from the discomfort. Rather than screaming or simply lying down, she wanted to keep her mind occupied with something she enjoyed.Explaining her decision, she wrote, "Because instead of screaming or just lying down like a patient, I wanted to distract myself and divert my mind." For Myra, it was a personal coping mechanism. She was not suggesting that labour pain was easy or that every woman should handle it the same way. She was simply choosing an activity that helped her feel comfortable during the experience.‘Pregnancy is not a disease’: Her second pregnancy made the experience differentAnother important reason behind Myra's decision was that this was her second pregnancy. Having already experienced childbirth, she said she understood what was happening and knew what worked for her. She also pointed out that labour pain does not necessarily remain constant throughout the process. It comes and goes in waves, giving women moments between contractions. "My pregnancy era ends here, forever. In this phase of life, I wanted to enjoy every bit of it," she wrote.She further explained, "Labour pain doesn't last continuously; it comes and goes in waves." Her words reflected how she wanted to approach this particular chapter of her life. Rather than allowing the difficult moments to define the entire experience, she wanted to enjoy whatever parts of it she could. Myra also shared that she enjoys documenting her life. Looking presentable, even during challenging situations, is something she personally likes. For her, applying lipstick was not an attempt to make childbirth look effortless but a small way of feeling like herself.Past surgeries and a different pain thresholdMyra also addressed why she was comfortable making this choice. She revealed that she had undergone multiple surgeries in the past and believed she had developed a high tolerance for pain. "I have a high pain tolerance, having undergone multiple surgeries in the past," she wrote. However, she was careful not to suggest that her experience should become a standard for other women. She acknowledged that every woman has a different pain threshold and that no two delivery journeys are exactly alike. What feels manageable for one person may be overwhelming for another.Her message was also directed at people who are quick to comment on how a pregnant woman should behave. She reminded viewers that women should be allowed to experience pregnancy and childbirth in ways that feel right to them, without having to meet someone else's expectations.Social media users share their own labour experiencesMyra's post also encouraged other women to share how they kept themselves occupied or comfortable during labour. One social media user related to her choice and wrote, "Putting lipstick on to change my mood is my all-time favourite." Another shared a rather different experience, saying, "Do what makes you happy. I was working from home when I went into active labour." Several others appreciated Myra's confidence and appearance. One person commented, "You look beautiful," while another called her an inspiration and questioned why anyone would judge her personal choice.One particularly interesting comment came from a woman who revealed that she had her nails done during active labour to distract herself. However, she added that the nurse eventually removed her nail polish. The responses showed that women can find comfort in different things, even during one of the most physically demanding experiences of their lives. For Myra, the lipstick was never the main story. It was about having the freedom to decide what made her feel better during labour. As she concluded in her post, "If you can't say anything nice, please remember that not every experience has to look the same. And yes, you are absolutely free to judge me in the comment section."You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ testGet the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.