Bengaluru-based content creator Myra Sharma has explained why she chose to apply lipstick while experiencing labour contractions. Her Instagram post has sparked conversations about motherhood, personal comfort and the different ways women cope with childbirth.
A Bengaluru-based mother has drawn attention on social media after sharing a video of herself putting on lipstick while experiencing labour contractions. While some people might associate childbirth with a very different set of priorities, content creator Myra Sharma had a simple explanation for her decision: she wanted to stay distracted, feel comfortable and experience the final moments of her pregnancy in her own way.
Sharma, an engineer and content creator associated with Bengaluru and Patna, explained her choice in an Instagram post, addressing viewers who might question why she was applying makeup during labour.
For the mother of two, the activity was less about appearance and more about maintaining a sense of normalcy during an intense personal experience.
Her post also highlighted a larger issue that many women encounter during pregnancy and motherhood: the expectation that there is only one acceptable way to behave.
Why Myra Sharma chose to apply lipstick during labour
In the Instagram video, Sharma can be seen applying lipstick while dealing with contractions. Anticipating questions about her decision, she encouraged viewers to read the accompanying caption before making assumptions.
She explained that getting ready helped occupy her attention instead of focusing entirely on the discomfort.
“Because instead of screaming or just lying down like a patient, I wanted to distract myself and divert my mind,” she wrote.
Sharma also emphasized that the experience was not unfamiliar to her. As this was her second pregnancy, she said she had already been through childbirth and felt confident about her personal choices.
“Pregnancy is not a disease,” she stated, expressing her belief that being pregnant did not mean she had to give up ordinary activities that made her happy.
Her explanation was rooted in personal experience rather than an attempt to suggest that other women should follow the same approach.
‘My pregnancy era ends here, forever,’ says Bengaluru mom
For Sharma, the moment carried additional emotional significance because she described this as her final pregnancy.
“My pregnancy era ends here, forever. In this phase of life, I wanted to enjoy every bit of it,” she wrote.
She also explained that labour contractions, in her experience, occurred in waves rather than creating one uninterrupted sensation of pain.
During the intervals, she chose to occupy herself with an activity she enjoyed.
The content creator said she likes documenting important moments in her life and prefers looking presentable when she feels able to do so.
Applying lipstick was therefore part of how she chose to remember a significant milestone, rather than something she considered unusual.
Her account offers a glimpse into how personal habits and familiar routines can sometimes provide emotional comfort during demanding experiences.
Myra Sharma responds to possible criticism over her labour video
Beyond explaining her makeup routine, Sharma addressed the judgement that women can face over their decisions during pregnancy and motherhood.
She noted that she has a high tolerance for pain, which she attributed partly to having undergone multiple surgeries in the past.
However, she made it clear that childbirth is not experienced in the same way by everyone.
“Remember, everyone is different, and every delivery journey is unique,” she wrote.
The statement was central to her message. What one person finds distracting, relaxing or reassuring during labour may not be useful or comfortable for someone else.
Sharma also acknowledged that people might still disagree with her decision.
“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,” she added.
Rather than attempting to justify makeup as something necessary during childbirth, she presented it as an individual preference.
Social media users support Myra Sharma’s decision
The video attracted encouraging responses from social media users, several of whom related to the idea of doing something familiar to manage their mood during a stressful moment.
One commenter wrote, “Putting lipstick on to change my mood is my all-time favourite.”
Another supported Sharma’s decision and shared a different childbirth experience.
“Do what makes you happy. I was working from home when I went into active labour,” the user commented.
Others focused on the positive side of her decision.
“You look beautiful,” one person wrote.
Another questioned why she should have to defend a personal choice, commenting, “You are an inspiration. Why do you even think people will judge you for what you choose to do?”
A different user recalled choosing a similar distraction while in labour.
“I got my nails done while in active labour to keep myself distracted, and in the end, the nurse removed the nail polish,” the commenter shared.
The responses illustrated how people may turn to different activities for comfort, although those activities are not necessarily suitable in every medical setting.
Can distraction help during labour contractions?
Sharma’s experience also raises an interesting question about the ways people manage discomfort during childbirth.
Labour involves a combination of physical changes, contractions and emotional responses. The intensity, frequency and duration of contractions can vary considerably, both between individuals and throughout different stages of labour.
Some women find comfort in breathing techniques, movement, music, massage or support from a trusted companion. Others prefer quiet surroundings, rest or medical pain-relief options.
Distraction and relaxation strategies may help some people cope with discomfort, but their effectiveness varies, and they are not replacements for appropriate maternity care.
Applying lipstick is not an established medical method of pain relief. In Sharma’s case, it was simply a familiar activity that she personally found helpful.
Pregnant women should follow the guidance of their maternity care team, especially when monitoring, treatment or an urgent medical procedure is required.
Cosmetics and accessories may also need to be removed in certain clinical situations or under particular hospital protocols. Patients should follow the instructions of their healthcare professionals.
Pregnancy experiences cannot be reduced to one standard
Although Sharma used the phrase “pregnancy is not a disease,” pregnancy still involves significant physiological changes and can sometimes lead to medical complications requiring close monitoring or treatment.
Her statement is best understood in the context of her personal experience and her desire to continue activities that made her feel like herself.
For some women, documenting childbirth is meaningful. Others may prefer complete privacy.
Similarly, one person may want to walk or talk between contractions, while another may need to rest or focus entirely on managing discomfort.
Neither experience should automatically become the standard against which another woman’s choices are judged.
A supportive environment during childbirth should respect personal preferences while prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of the mother and baby.
Bengaluru mom’s lipstick video carries a broader message about motherhood
What began as a simple Instagram update about applying lipstick during labour has become a reminder that motherhood does not erase personal identity.
Sharma’s decision was not about encouraging women to wear makeup in a delivery room. It was about retaining the freedom to find comfort in familiar activities during an important life event.
Her willingness to explain the moment also challenged the tendency to interpret every personal choice during pregnancy as something requiring public approval.
From the comments shared under her post, it was clear that several viewers connected with that sentiment.
Ultimately, her experience reinforces a straightforward point: childbirth is deeply personal, and women may respond to it in different ways.
For Sharma, a swipe of lipstick was one small part of navigating the final chapter of her pregnancy. For someone else, comfort might come from music, silence, conversation or simply having a loved one nearby.
What matters is that individual choices are respected whenever they are compatible with safe medical care.
Health disclaimer: The information in this article is for general awareness and does not constitute medical advice. Pregnancy and labour experiences vary. Always follow guidance from qualified maternity healthcare professionals.
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