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Model Miranda Kerr's Judgy Comments About Epidurals Make Her Worse Than Gisele Bundchen

by Mary Fischer on July 5, 2012 at 9:44 AM

Miranda Kerr & baby FlynnJust 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?

 

Image via Splash

Filed Under: celeb moms, models, labor & delivery

Comments

73
  • jagam...
    --

    jagamama0710

    July 5, 2012 at 9:54 AM

    Wow, someone's getting a little defensive here aren't they? Nobody who goes natural is doing it to be a martyr. And as irritated as you are by her statement here (I don't see why you would be if you are so comfortable and secure in your choice), I am just as irritated at people like you who act as though women who prefer to go without drugs are doing it for some sort of badge. 

    Anyway, I don't think she's being judgy at all. It didn't sound like an "intentional slap" and she's not acting as though she's better than anyone. She was asked how she felt about epidurals, she answered honestly. Kudos to her. She's a very naturally minded person, why should she lie about her views so she doesn't hurt anybody's feelings. I feel the same way about epi's. That's not saying I think anybody's a "bad mom" for getting one. Of course they're not. I'm just not comfortable getting one myself for the same reasons as her. I love Miranda Kerr. 


  • Stacey.
    --

    Stacey.

    July 5, 2012 at 10:03 AM

    For one, I too was told that the baby may be a bit groggy if I used pain meds or an epidural so what she said does have merit. I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I certainly won't let anyone else's opinion ruin my day or make me mad because I am confident in the choices I make.


  • Evaly...
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    EvalynCarnate

    July 5, 2012 at 10:12 AM

    Part of me wants to get all judgy on women like MK who get all judgy, but really...its like the BF and FF thing. As long as our kids are brought into this world healthy its ok. What she said did sound a little pretentious but who cares? She can only commet on her own birthing experience. I fought tooth and nail not to have an epi because I wanted to really experience childbirth, not because I was worried that my baby would be "drugged" but after 12 hours of limited progress I ended up with one anyway, along with a c-sec. My daughter didnt seem drugged. Some babies come out groggy and sluggish because, hello!, we're not the only ones doing the work in childbirth. Sometimes the little buggers are tired like we are! 

    The other part of me feels like, MK, being a public figure should probably choose her words more wisely in terms of sensitive subjects like this. Its only really asking for a backlash of some sort. Saying that she went natural because she wanted to would have sufficed just fine..


  • zombi...
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    zombiemommy916

    July 5, 2012 at 10:19 AM
    I think it's only natural for a mother to be defensive when someone makes a comment that indirectly takes a "dig" at their birth plan...we wouldn't be good mothers if we didn't stand up and say, "wait a damn minute.."...I give props to Miranda Kerr AND the author...childbirth is hard and painful no matter what route you take...I have the scars to prove it and so does EVERY mother I know :)
  • organ...
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    organicyogalove

    July 5, 2012 at 10:23 AM

    The babies ARE drugged up when you recieve an epidural... do your research. 


  • doubl...
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    doubledsmommy

    July 5, 2012 at 10:27 AM
    I had an epidural with both my children, and they both had APGARS of 9 immediately after entering the world, and 10 after the few minute check. No grogginess at all. However, due to a theory of mine, if I chose to have another, I would not take the epidural route. While I don't think her reasoning is accurate, it's her position. If she believes that will give her child the best start, then so be it. She did not say other moms make poor decisions and are bad parents for getting epi's.
  • Maggie
    -- Nonmember comment from

    Maggie

    July 5, 2012 at 10:32 AM
    I am so confidant about my choice to have epidurals with both of my kids, that her statement doesn't bother me at all. I think it's kind of adorable how passionate some moms get about things that are inconsequential in the long run.
  • zandh...
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    zandhmom2

    July 5, 2012 at 10:32 AM

    I had an epidural with my first one...I was in labor for 26 hours and with my second one, I went completely natural but only because she came 20 minutes after I got to the hospital! I think every mother finds way to justify howtheir own birth experiences goes and I'm fine with that.  I agree with Zombiemommy, it doesn't really matter how a child is brought into this world, how they are fed, where they sleep and so on.  All I care and wish for is that every child is cared for and loved.


  • Worki...
    -- Nonmember comment from

    WorkingMom

    July 5, 2012 at 10:37 AM
    I've delivered four children (one stillborn) and suffered a miscarriage to boot. All of my pregnancies and deliveries were as different as could be, and I kept in mind the advice our childbirth class instructor (an RN) had given to one girl who insisted to know what it would be like for her "birth plan" - it will be what it will be. Everyone has a different experience. Do what is best for you and for your baby. Is an epidural worse than a mother wracked with so much pain she associates her child with it and never bonds? And regardless of how it goes, it's only a day or two out of your life, and you will get to the other side. That said, Ms. Kerr is not an expert in anything other than looking pretty, and shame on the media for publishing her opinions as if she were an OB/GYN who'd delivered thousands of babies. She's a first-time mom for crying out loud! She also needs to remember if she chooses to make her living in the public eye, voicing her opinions could have negative ramifications on her livelihood. I'm sure it wasn't said in a negative way, but regardless, her handlers need to do a better job, just as Gisele's do - being from New England, many Patriot fans would love to see her mouth sewn shut. Being a supermodel doesn't make you an expert in anything other than how to walk a runway and look pretty.
  • Sherz...
    -- Facebook comment from

    Sherzine M

    July 5, 2012 at 11:05 AM
    Judgmental much. Miranda simply made a comment that she CHOSE not to have an epidural for herself based on what she was told and what she saw in videos. I read the article and nowhere does she "accuse" anyone of having a drugged up baby if an epidural is chosen. She commented on something she observed with her own eyes. It's people without critical thinking skills that take everything a celebrity says as a mandate to follow. She gave an opinion and told her birthing plan. Nowhere did she advocate that women are supposed to follow her plan.
1-10 of 73 comments

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