For some reason, there’s a notion floating around some parts of the internet that if you had a C-section birth, then you really didn’t give birth.
People think that C-sections are an “easier” option when it comes to giving birth and that could not be farther from the truth. Not only are many C-sections emergencies, the recovery afterward can take months or years.
If women aren’t being shamed for having a C-section, some face criticism for their scars or for not “bouncing back.”
These powerful photos spread awareness about C-sections and the recoveries afterward.
For many women, C-sections can be traumatizing.
As @elementofellis writes, “Whether it’s an emergency or scheduled, going into a c-section can be scary.” Yes! Most women are already a bit nervous when they are preparing to give birth. They don’t need to worry about being shamed, too.
Scars are a reminder of your strength.
Even though C-sections are painful, many moms would go through the pain again if it meant the safety of their baby. Moms are truly amazing when they give birth. That’s true love right there.
It’s okay to not be okay.
Sometimes a mom’s toughest critic is herself. In this post, @kassimansfield reminds newly postpartum C-section moms to be kind to themselves. Getting used to your new body after a C-section can take time, so don’t be ashamed for feeling frustrated or like you haven’t “bounced back.”
Recovery can be beautiful.
Sometimes we need a little bit of time to heal before we can fully appreciate the beauty of becoming a mom. Trust me — it doesn’t feel very glamorous at the time, but you’ll look back on these moments and feel proud.
Many women feel they failed when they have a C-section.
Because of all the shaming surrounding C-sections, many women become self-conscious about their birth experience. “A woman’s story should not be shamed or less valued for including a scalpel and drape,” writes @reedanthiessen. Spot. On.
Don’t let others shape your expectations.
Because we see celebrity moms on the covers of magazines weeks after giving birth, we often have unrealistic expectations of the postpartum period. Don’t focus on what you look like. Focus on taking care of yourself and your baby.
Your scars are beautiful.
A C-section scar will fade over time, but most likely, it will always be a part of you. I say, embrace it! Think of it as a marker in this amazing journey of becoming a mom.
Scars tell a story.
Having a C-section doesn’t mean that you “didn’t really give birth,” as some people believe. Many women see their C-section scar as a reminder of their birth story and we should honor that, not shame their experience.
Prepare for your recovery.
In case there was any confusion about this, a C-section is surgery. That means there is a recovery period afterward where new moms will need extra help around the house and with the baby. If you know someone recovering from a C-section, let them rest and help if you can.
The beauty of motherhood lasts a lifetime.
This post is so inspiring. It’s a great reminder that at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what you look like. Being a mom is about love and sacrifice, and that is just as true if you are a C-section mom.
You’ll never get these moments back.
Even though the first few weeks postpartum are the most difficult, especially if you are recovering from a C-section, they are so special. While you’re resting, take these first few days to bond with the baby.
The raw aftermath of a C-Section.
This post details a lot of honest experiences about a C-section birth: the pain, the changes to your body, and the joy of seeing your new baby’s face.
Every mom has a different journey.
Just as no two births are the same, no two C-section scars are the same. Embrace your unique journey to motherhood and don’t let anyone tell you that there’s only one “right” way to becoming a mom.
A C-section is not a defeat.
It makes me so sad that many women feel that they “failed” for having a C-section. Let’s stop the shaming because, honestly, being a mom is hard enough without the extra negativity.
C-section moms are warriors.
Here’s an important reminder from @completely.maginlee, “C-Section Mamas….. this scar shouldn’t make you insecure. You had a human cut out of you.” Never let anyone shame you for your scar or for having a C-section.
For anyone still convinced a C-section is the “easy way out”:
“To anyone who thinks it’s the easy way out, […] try having a 6 inch gash in your abdomen like a gutted shark who had the body parts of the surfer it ate retrieved,” wrote @houseofwhite_ in a very honest post.
