Women Are Sharing Pictures To Normalize C-Sections
Pregnancy is fairly high on the list of things that can play out unexpectedly in real life. Regardless of the planning and preparation that goes into a pregnancy, when a woman actually goes into labor, all bets are off and the priority is getting that little baby into the world as safely as possible.
No family has the same pregnancy experience, but many women have felt a universal shame over undergoing a cesarian section delivery. The reasons behind the controversy of c-sections are complicated and socially constructed, so some moms have taken it upon themselves to share their experiences in hopes of breaking down the stigmas and judgment.
Finding The Right Supports Can Be Challenging
One of the best parts about becoming a new parent is the community of other parents that you can relate to and gain support from.
Unfortunately, the darker side to this community is parent or mommy-shaming that can make a new parent feel humiliated and isolated. One topic that has been debated amongst new parents is the cesarian section delivery method.
What Is A Cesarian Section?
A cesarian section, otherwise known as a c-section, is a surgical procedure that is performed in order to deliver a baby through incisions in the mother's abdomen and uterus.
C-sections are most often performed when vaginal delivery would put the mother or baby at risk.
Why Are Women Shamed Over C-Sections?
Many women are told during critical moments of their labor that the safest option to deliver their baby is by undergoing a cesarian section. In other instances, women are told during prenatal care that the best way to ensure the health of the baby and the mother is to plan to deliver by c-section, and an appointment is arranged for the baby's birth date.
So why the controversy around women who deliver this way, when often it is not a matter of choice but a necessity?
People Are Generally Misinformed On The Realities Of C-Sections
C-sections have become the target of mommy-shamers who ridicule moms that deliver this way and claim it's less painful, invasive, and traumatic than delivering naturally. The assumption is that since it is the opposite of natural birth, the mom was unable to "get the job done" herself and had to take the "easy way out."
Any rational human would recognize these to be completely absurd assumptions that are rooted in false "facts" and misinformation. But to a new mother who is already dealing with hormones, emotions, and self-doubt, those words will feel like daggers in the chest.
Mothers Online Are Trying To Normalize C-Section Delivery
Some new moms have taken it upon themselves to become the faces (and bellies) of cesarian section pregnancies online. These women have dedicated their time to helping other moms through the emotional and physical tolls of unique pregnancies.
Mothers across the Internet have felt comfort in the message of solidarity for c-section pregnancies and it has encouraged them to share their own stories to normalize this type of childbirth.
"This Scar Will Always Remind Me Of The Journey We Went Through"
Instagram accounts like @loveyourpostpartum have used their platform to dismantle the stereotypes around c-section deliveries, pushing women to celebrate their victories of childbirth, especially if it was not a traditional delivery.
The caption on this image tells one woman's birth story that involved a premature delivery and a complicated c-section. The woman writes: "This scar will always remind me of the journey we went through. The good and the bad."
"Going Into A C-section Can Be Scary"
In her Instagram post, Kacie Ellis writes: "Whether it's an emergency or scheduled, going into a c-section can be scary." She combined efforts with other c-section moms to share some of their best advice to anyone else who is scared to go through the process.
Of her scar, she says: "I love my c-section scar. It's my mark of love and a reminder of my girls."
It Can Take An Physical And Emotional Toll"
"After Forrester's cesarean, it took my heart and mind a long time to forgive my body for being unable to birth the "normal" way. This is a harsh reality for a lot of belly birth mamas, and it took me months to forgive myself for a fault I didn’t have."
"A woman's story should not be shamed or less valued for including a scalpel and drape. This time, my body needed to recover from what my heart and mind knew was the safest way for me to birth. My body is wonderfully beautiful. Scars and all."
"This Incision Was Made To Save Our Son's Life"
"Due to an emergency c-section and the situation our baby was in I didn't get that straight and symmetrical 3.5" incision — I could sit here and get self-conscious about the scar I’m going to have, but then I can remember that this incision was made to save our son’s life."
This woman shares how complications in her c-section produced a larger scar. She says she never planned to share this image publicly, but she decided she: "wanted to show that something absolutely beautiful was a result of something you or society may think as ugly."
Mom Shares The Harsh Realities Of Breastfeeding With A Raw Hospital Selfie
While many mothers expect to have their breastfeed their newborn babies, many expect that it will simply come naturally to them after birth. Some, like Remi, learn the hard way that it's neither easy nor does it come naturally.
Remi wishes that she was taught more about the risks, complications, and options for feeding so she could've avoided her painful journey. Instead, she shares her story in the hopes of being the one to teach other new mothers.
Breastfeeding Wasn't Natural Or Easy For Her
There is some kind of expectation that all new mothers will simply know how to breastfeed their newborns, and do it naturally.
However, for this mom, she felt like she should raise awareness that this is not always the case. Breastfeeding didn't come easily for her, and the milk took five days to come in (something she didn't even know could happen till then).
She Was The Only Mother In Her Ward To Breastfeed
The mothers that were sharing her hospital stay also struggled to breastfeed. She tells the story of another woman who tried, only to switch to formula 12 hours later because she didn't have enough milk.
Remi feels as though women should have the option to feed and nurture their babies however works best for them while still being supported and celebrated.
She Learned About "Cluster Feeding" The Hard Way
Remi didn't understand why her baby would cry all night when all the others were sleeping soundly.
Instead, her baby would attach itself to her breast all through the night, only wanting to feed in "clusters." She had no idea this could happen.
It Didn't Get Easier When She Was Home
Remi experienced intense pain in her breasts, to the point where she dreaded every feeding time.
She persisted through the process in tears, although she wished someone would have warned her. Remi regrets that no one taught her how painful breastfeeding could be.
Remi Was Too Embarrassed To Breastfeed In Public
Living in a judgmental society, Remi was always too uncomfortable to breastfeed in public. Instead, she would either find a bathroom or pump at home so she can feed out of a bottle on the go.
However, this led to clogged ducts and engorgements (producing more milk than their breasts can hold).
Then, She Suffered A Breast Infection
While breastfeeding in the middle of the night, Remi experienced excruciating pain. She was shaking and cold with a high fever. She was taken to the hospital where she was dosed with antibiotics and morphine.
She learned she had developed sepsis overnight from having mastitis (inflammation of breast tissue).
Remi Feels That The Education Around Breastfeeding Is Lacking
Remi might have had a slightly easier time if she had been taught what to expect. Instead, she learned it all the hard way with a lack of support.
"Women are not expected to give birth alone, but somehow they are expected to breastfeed alone...breastfeeding is hard, it needs to be taught, and it needs to be learned." She explains that just because talking is natural, for example, it doesn't always come naturally.
It All Comes Down To What We Objectify And Normalize
Remi feels as though part of the issue is that we tend to objectify women's breasts, so we don't want to talk about the labor of breastfeeding. If new mothers knew what to expect, they could prepare themselves beforehand.
Remi uses her platform to speak about her postpartum body as well, in hopes of normalizing mothers' bodies in general.
It's Hard Transitioning To The Body Of A Mother
Remi, like many mothers, wasn't prepared for all of the changes that her body was going to go through. It's a process of adapting and acceptance, but it doesn't come easy.
When she compares her body now as opposed to the one she had before she was a mother, she tries to focus on the gifts it has given her instead.
Remi Hopes For A World Where Mothers' Bodies Are More Accepted
It's not just about breastfeeding. The lack of education around it is part of a larger issue. Little attention is given to the changes in mothers' bodies. They are often painted as something to cover up and hide. Even something that has been ruined or lost with stretch marks and hanging tummies.
Remi wants to challenge these standards by accepting her own body and flaunting it despite others' judgments and expectations.
