Yes My C-Section Is Birth

I was doing my normal morning social media scrolling when I woke up today. Normally, I skip past the stuff that’s too political and the such, but this morning something caught my eye that literally made my blood boil. I mean red face, maybe a few veins popping out of my forehead mad. Pretty sure my kiddo saw me and compared me to the likes of the Hulk.

This was the title that made me stop: “Birth Photographer Refuses To Document C-section Because Surgery Isn’t Birth.” Um, excuse me? What the heck! OK, maybe I’m a little biased because I had four c-sections, but this seems pretty darn ridiculous to me.

I have no idea if the conversation the article holds is true. I don’t know if there really is a photographer out there that has such nasty things to say about a c-section, but I’m going to share some of the things the article said. This is a quote from the photographer shared in the article:

“A surgery isn’t birth my dear,” she explains. “You aren’t giving birth. You are having surgery to remove your baby from your abdomen. That is not birth no matter how you swing it and I for one don’t want to be there to take pictures of it.”

“If you decide to give motherhood a go from the get and have an actual birth let me know and we can schedule your session,” she offers. “This motherhood job is hard, if I were you I would think twice about starting such a job by cutting corners so early in the game.”

Uh, ladies? Can you believe this?! This day and age it’s all about lifting other women up! Here’s a message for all the “perfect” mamas who think it’s OK to judge. Having a c-section is still a form of giving birth, feeding your baby formula is still feeding your baby, and for the love of goodness – how you choose to discipline your kiddo is your choice. Do your thing! Parenting is hard hard work.

And Miss meanie photographer, if you really do exist, and you haven’t had kids yet, or even if you have, I sincerely hope you never need a c-section. I’ve had four and the pain afterwards is excruciating. You know what? I consider myself a birthing warrior for surviving and smiling through it. My kids all still have birth stories.

And to you “perfect” and judgmental mamas – cut it out. Sooner or later your baby is going to simultaneously spit up and have a major blowout all over you in Target and you will stink just like the rest of us. And we will love you for it.