Just when I thought no celeb mom could possibly get more judgemental and opinionated than Gisele Bundchen, Miranda Kerr had to open her mouth and indirectly accuse pregnant women who get epidurals of drugging their babies.
In a new interview with Harper's Bazaar UK, Kerr talked about her birthing plan when she delivered her son, Flynn, and said she decided to give birth naturally after watching videos on babies bonding with their mothers immediately after delivery. Of an infant whose mom chose to have an epidural, Miranda said, "The baby was a little bit drugged up and I was like, 'Well, I don’t want that.' I wanted to give him the best possible start in life I could."
The baby was drugged up? Really? Huh. I'm glad Miranda's modeling career somehow makes her a medical expert when it comes to what makes a newborn appear "drugged." (Seriously, what is it with these models? Are she and Gisele comparing notes or something?)
I was in labor with my son for 24 hours, and I actually wound up having an epidural and a spinal block to manage my pain. And you know what? When my little guy made his entrance into the world, he was about as alert as newborn babies can possibly get. Even the nurses were all commenting on how "present" he seemed in the moment, and how aware he was of his new surroundings and everyone around him. He certainly wasn't the slightest bit "drugged up," -- and my decision to have an epidural did not harm him in any way.
It's all well and good that Miranda wanted to go the natural route when she had her son, but choosing to forgo an epidural doesn't make her any sort of martyr, and it doesn't make her any better than moms who decide having an epidural is the best plan for them. Pregnant women should respect each other for their individual choices when it comes to childbirth instead of tearing each other down and trying to make each other feel inferior.
Whether her comments were intentionally meant as a slap or not, Miranda could've voiced her opinions on natural childbirth without having to put other moms down for their own, personal decisions. Being a supermodel doesn't give her the right to act like she's better than the rest of the world (unless she truly is trying to take over Gisele Bundchen's title of the most hated celeb mom in America).
Are you planning on having an epidural, or going the natural route, and why?
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Comments 73
I am thinking Miranda was voicing HER opinion, and becuse you took her opinion as a slap in the face- wrote a angry artical. I believe everyone has rights to their own opinion and way of doing things. I chose NOT to have an epi...(but after many hourse of labor and pushing ended up with a c-section). I do not look down on lady's who choose epis- but like Miranda didn't want to risk my baby (who I BF) to be groggy and not want to latch due to it.
Yeah, babies are affected by any medication you choose to get during labor. And we don't choose natural birth because we are martyrs or want a medal. I have had a hospital birth with an epidural and a natural home birth, and I will pick the natural birth again. The biggest thing with epidurals is you miss the euphoria...you miss feeling what it's supposed to be like.
Bottom like is that they asked for her opinion, she gave it. Just because you didn't like what she said doesn't mean she's being judgey
Epidurals are drugs that pass to the baby! I like my babies having Apgars of 10. All the fluids they give with the epidural make breasts engorged and make it more difficult to breastfeed. Not having an epidural may make a woman's baby a better baby. Maybe that is what being a good mom should be about, giving your baby the best odds.
I chose not to have epidural because I heard that it slows the birth down. I usually tolerate pain pretty good (when I know it is only temporary), so I knew that I could do it. I never heard that it druggs the baby, but I guess it's possible. One of the reasons I went drug free was that I really didn't want someone sticking a needle in my spine. I figured the less they do to me or give me the less they can screw up. Birth is after all a natural thing unless something is wrong. But why interfere with the nactural course when you don't have to?
She wasn't bashing anyone or being judgemental.. she simply stated that SHE did not want an epidural because it drugs the baby which IT DOES! I've had 4 babies (all vaginal) my first, I had an epidural and he was groggy, cranky, and had low blood sugar not to mention I had an adverse reaction so with my other 3 I suffered through the pain and delivered 100% naturally and I recommend it to every expectant mother I encounter not because I'm judging or preachy but because the epidural not only ruined the first 48hrs after birth for me but the first 6weeks! My other 3 births were amazing, after they were out, I was more alert and felt great and my babies didn't fuss, cry, and were severely alert. I don't knock women who use the epidural, but don't knock a mom who is merely expressing why SHE chose not to! Now who's being judgemental >=P BTW, I have a high respect for Miranda for not using it and spreading the word.
When I went to the ER before my daughter was born, I was told I had preclampsia. A big surprise since no one mentioned it during the previous four appointments. I was induced and labor was going great, aside from the pain obviously. Then one of the head nurses decided it was't progressing quickly enough and she broke my water. OW! Then back labor started. I had an epidural. 20 minutes later I had another one. 20 minutes after that I was getting wheeled in for a C-section. I don't remember much but my daughter was screaming and beautiful. I've been thinking a natural birth is how this one will be born, and I'm terrified. I didn't plan to have an epidural or a natural birth, but we talked about the possibilities of both and figured what would happen would happen.
I'm not going to judge anyone for their decisions to "get drugged" because it hurts too much. I know how that pain feels, and I know how a healing scar on your tummy feels. Giving birth naturally, and without drugs, is something that's been happening for millenia and no one is being a martyr for doing it that way. It's called nature. Maybe some people should quit being judgemental and discuss a bit of their birth plan instead of talking about drugged babies. (like what's-her-face up there, the model)
Everyone gets to decide how they want the birth to go, but sometimes things change.
Sing it sister!!!! My little man came out wide-eyed and alert, literally turning his head looking around at everything in the operating room. And thank GOD I chose to get my epidural when I did, because it would have been awful trying to sit still to get it when they decided I had to have a c-section! (13 hours later when I had only progressed to 6cm.) I think we can all agree, it's a personaly choice. We can plan plan plan all day, but until the moment comes we don't know what's going to happen or why. Lucky her, she got to have her baby the way she planned. What if she'd needed an emergency c-section? There's WAY too much judging going on between moms! I say, you take care of your kids & I"ll take care of mine! You keep on telling it like it is, lady! Love you tons!
So what....she's supposed to not give her reasoning for not wanting an epidural because some random blogger might get butt hurt and defensive about it?
Women who have had epidurals need to stop being so defensive and women who haven't have to stop acting so proud. And EVERYONE needs to stop being so judgmental!