X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

You Had a C-section, I Had a Normal Birth: Here's What I Want to Say to You

3 min read
You Had a C-section, I Had a Normal Birth: Here's What I Want to Say to You

"Does the fact that you didn't push out a baby from between your legs make you less of a mother?"

Dear C-section mum, 

I am sorry for how you’re often made to feel like you’re less of a mother because of the way you gave birth to your child. Yes, that’s right – you gave birth, just like I did. 

You had layers of flesh punctured, cut through, so you could finally meet your precious little one.

You had a huge needle stuck in your spine that made the lower half of your body paralysed,  so you could ensure the safety of your baby’s birth. Or maybe you were completely knocked out, waking momentarily to see your little darling, touch her soft skin still sticky with blood and vernix, before passing out again. 

You suffered the pain of your cut so you could cradle your baby on your body and nourish her. The love you felt overpowered the pain – a love so intense that it was painful in itself. 

You Had a C-section, I Had a Normal Birth: Heres What I Want to Say to You

Image source: iStock

You are SO brave. 

You endured major surgery to give birth to your baby. And you are often judged for this. I am sorry for the unfairness of this.

Like any mother, you just want to give birth so you can finally meet your baby.

Like any mother, like any human being, you don’t want every single decision you take to be put under the microscope, scrutinised for assumed faults which are then shouted to the world. 

You just want to be a mum. You just want to hold your baby safely in your arms. 

You Had a C-section, I Had a Normal Birth: Heres What I Want to Say to You

Image source: iStock

The way you do this shouldn’t have to be made into a burden that weighs you down with guilt. Perhaps you had an elective C-section, perhaps it was an emergency. Either way, it was a decision that was made with the well-being of you and your baby at heart. What’s so wrong with that? 

Does the fact that you didn’t push out a baby from between your legs make you less of a mother? Isn’t this an accusation that is often thrown your way? 

I don’t understand why this is so when just like me, you love and cherish the little life you birthed. You feed, bathe and dress her. You talk to her, you sing to her. You hold her and hug her. You protect her. 

You Had a C-section, I Had a Normal Birth: Heres What I Want to Say to You

Image source: iStock

You love her. 

And this is what matters. We are equals as mothers. 

There’s too much judgement in motherhood these days. We are quick to critique, slow to support and this needs to change. 

I want to tell you that I will never judge you. I will always respect you as a woman who has ownership of her own body, who has the right to decide what to do with her own body. I will always respect you as a mother who brought her child into this world with love and dignity. 

You are not less of a mother because of the way you birthed your baby. 

I birthed my child, you birthed your child. I love my child, you love your child. I don’t see a difference in this.

Partner Stories
8 Wonderful Effects of Coconut Water For Pregnancy
8 Wonderful Effects of Coconut Water For Pregnancy
The Complete Delivery Bag List For The Entire Family
The Complete Delivery Bag List For The Entire Family
Can Pregnant Women Eat Instant Noodles?
Can Pregnant Women Eat Instant Noodles?
Reducing The Risk Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: What You Should Know
Reducing The Risk Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: What You Should Know

Do you? 

C-section mums, have you ever felt judged? Share your thoughts with us, won’t you? 

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

ddc-calendar
Get ready for the baby’s arrival by adding your due date.
OR
Calculate your due date
img
Written by

Nalika Unantenne

  • Home
  • /
  • Pregnancy
  • /
  • You Had a C-section, I Had a Normal Birth: Here's What I Want to Say to You
Share:
  • Inspiring C-Section Birth Images That Help Normalise Birth

    Inspiring C-Section Birth Images That Help Normalise Birth

  • Mum Denied a C-section Request; Dies 8-hours After Delivery

    Mum Denied a C-section Request; Dies 8-hours After Delivery

  • Study: Nagging Mothers with High Expectations Raise Successful Daughters

    Study: Nagging Mothers with High Expectations Raise Successful Daughters

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

  • Inspiring C-Section Birth Images That Help Normalise Birth

    Inspiring C-Section Birth Images That Help Normalise Birth

  • Mum Denied a C-section Request; Dies 8-hours After Delivery

    Mum Denied a C-section Request; Dies 8-hours After Delivery

  • Study: Nagging Mothers with High Expectations Raise Successful Daughters

    Study: Nagging Mothers with High Expectations Raise Successful Daughters

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates on pregnancy.