Having a baby, no matter how you do it, is basically a superhero act. It's hard, it's trying on the body, and it's incredibly dangerous. Despite all of our best medical advances, there are still countless women who die during childbirth. Sometimes c-sections are required in order to save mom and baby, but unfortunately people still it as less "real" than natural child birth.
For Gemma Atkinson, a British actress, she had enough after someone suggested she took the easy way out when having a c-section when giving birth to her daughter Mia.
A lady recently joked with me that id had the easy option when it came to having Mia as I didn’t experience “proper labour” she wasn’t being nasty, she said it in jest and she was actually really lovely, but it did get me thinking when I got home.Had I failed? Had I not done it “properly” ? After a good chat with myself i came to the conclusion that the only “proper” way to have a baby is the way that’s safest for you and your baby. There is nothing easy about having a section. There is nothing easy about a vaginal delivery. They are both tiring, scary, emotionally draining and each have their own recovery process both mentally & physically.
However you brought your baby into the world was right for you and your baby at that time and that’s what matters. To any mums who like me, had to have a section and are feeling a little odd about it (which is normal) the above is for you. ❤️
She shared this message alongside an image that also spoke to the power of c-sections.
"Cut me open," it read. "I love my baby so much that I will do anything to get my baby out of my body alive. Lay me out, cut me open because I love my baby so much. That is courage. That is bravery and sacrifice and mothering in its purest form. That is the willingness to lay down your body and risk your life that your child might be born, that your child might live."
Atkinson has been open about her c-section in the past, and admitted it was a pretty scary experience. She lost a lot of blood and Mia's heart rate dropped steadily during labor.
This picture was taken when Mia was 30hrs old. The weary smile on my face doesn’t quite portray how happy I was inside as 30hrs earlier, things could have gone very differently.Mia was a tiny baby, 4lb 10. With that in mind the midwife was concerned she wouldn’t be strong enough to open my cervix. My water broke on a tues & we gave her the benefit of the doubt but by the Wednesday evening despite her being in the perfect place & so low down, she still hadn’t managed it.
The decision was made to induce me to help her along but she disliked that even more. With every contraction her heart rate dropped. On the 3rd one midwife Katie who was taking care of me at the time pressed the panic alarm & within 15 mins I was rushed out, prepped & delivered Mia via an emergency C section. It wasn’t what I’d planned but thanks to my hypnobirthing despite the madness & panic, I was able to calmly keep my breathing technique & accept whatever is best for Mia just do it! 2hrs later I was alone with Gorks & Mia blissfully happy in a ward when I suddenly felt extremely unwell. Gorka got a doctor and she took 1 look at me & again pressed the panic button.
I was having a hemorrhage. A big one & I lost a lot of blood. I don’t remember much other than having around 9 doctors in the room, some injecting me, hooking me to drips, physically pulling clots out of me & one comforting Gorks who was beside himself in the corner. I woke in another room with Gorks & my family there, Mia sleeping soundly & a lovely midwife named Di who was checking my notes. The trauma was over & thanks to our NHS & incredible hospital staff we were ok. I’m fully aware for some people it’s a different outcome & I feel incredibly lucky that me & Mia are healthy & healed.
My mum moved in with me while Gorks was away & has been incredible! If I can be half the mum she is to me I’ll be happy! I’m going to remind Mia of this story any time she has doubts about what she can achieve in life. The odds were against her from the start, but she’s been a little fighter from day 1. Feeds perfectly & is gaining weight like I do on an all inclusive holiday! We’re SO proud of her, she’s our little soldier & I’m so Grateful ❤️
Having a c-section doesn't mean your birth story is any less heroic. It doesn't make it any less hard. C-sections are major surgeries, and for someone to undergo one is not even a little bit "easy." Atkinson is absolutely right about c-sections being brave, and I'm happy she didn't let the comments from others get her down.
