Jagger has now been earth-side for a month, AND it’s c-section awareness month…. sooo let’s chat! 🗣 I’m in a somewhat unique position, as an influencer who has been open about electing to have all 3 of my babies via c-section. (Nope— Not because baby was breech, not because my labor didn’t progress… I’ve had 3 c-sections because I suffer from tokophobia & couldn’t fathom birthing my kids any other way.) ➖Tokophobia: pathological fear of pregnancy &/or childbirth, so severe that it often prevents women from having children even though they want to. It may occur in women who have never given birth (primary tokophobia), but it may also affect women who have had prior traumatic birth experiences (secondary). To be clear: this is NOT the “typical” fear that comes with birth. When pregnant with my first, I fell into a deep, dark depression when I considered how he might exit my body. I couldn’t eat, get out of bed, or stop crying. I couldn’t bond with my unborn child. I felt indescribable despair. The only thing that brought me out of this pit: having an OB who recognized & diagnosed my condition, &— after walking though the risks/benefits of each type of childbirth— asked me if having a c-section would bring me peace. I said…. YES, IT WOULD. And sure enough with my plan in place, I was able to move on with my life, excited for the future. I very much advocate for women to give birth the way they want to in 2023, fully informed of all risks. I’ve had 2 very smooth surgeries, & 1 flukey, freaky, complicated one (from which I’m still recovering). But I wouldn’t change my birthing method— it was, for me, the only way. Moms who have c-sections are often shamed for not having a “real” birth or for “taking the easy way out.” I’ve also noticed insensitive language around c-sections (“oh wow you need a c-section?? My biggest fear is being sliced open.”)…. & I just really hope that we can make the collective decision to be kinder, less competitive, & more understanding with each other. I hope we can hold space for circumstances/preferences we may not personally relate to. 🤎 Do you have any questions about tokophobia or c-sections? I’m an open book. Xx