I always felt weird using the word birth when referring to my C-Section. I mean, my child was taken out of me forcefully by surgery, did I really give birth? Did I really endure labor that could place me in the category of birthing my child? I felt like less of a woman, less of a mother, and like I couldn’t use those words. I was ashamed of not being able to do what my body was supposed to be made to do. I spent so much time feeling like I missed out, that I was forgetting to acknowledge how incredible it was for me to endure a C-Section for my baby. My baby was birthed by C-Section and it was the first of many beautiful sacrifices I would make as a mom.

When your baby is birthed by C-Section it’s easy to feel like you are less than, but sweet friend, look at the sacrifice you made. That scar you bare will always remind you of the gift of life you gave your baby. Even when things didn’t go as planned or expected, you chose life for that baby over comfort. You endured the experience of an operating room. You endured the first time you had to stand up. You endured the pains of labor just as any other mom. Your story is different, but so is the story of every mom.

Be proud of those scars sweet mama. Be proud of your birth. And know that you aren’t alone. It always amazed me how many moms feel the same way. I reached out to a few to share their encouragement and stories. So be sure to check each of them out below!

Ally || You Are More Blog || Birth Story || Birth Story || Birth Story

I like to think I gave birth because I did go through labor it some complications came while I was in labor pushing. A c-section was not my choice but i would do all over again because my child was born healthy, strong and alive. No matter how your baby is born be proud of it.

Miriam || Simply Miriam || Birth Story

After my c-sections I always focused more on the fact that I had surgery more than I gave birth; it wasn’t until years later I realized I did birth two beautiful, healthy babies. And while the c-sections weren’t my first choice, they kept my babies alive, and that was worth all the pain and healing.

Jenn || Forgotten Lattes || Birth Story

Encouragement: You get that baby out one way or another and always the best way for mama and baby. Giving birth is the biggest miracle wether it is vaginal or a c-section!

Alia || ali-ish  ||Birth Story || Birth Story 

In the months following my c-section, I really struggled with the fact that my daughter had to be surgically removed instead of delivered naturally. I felt like I had failed. It took time for me to realize that having a c-section didn’t make my any less of a mother nor was it the easy way out. I did whatever I had to do to get my daughter her safely and that’s something to be proud of. I’m not a failure at all, I’m a fighter.

Cassie || Remaining Radiant || Blog Post 

I was so glad I had taken the time to get to know my provider and feel total trust in his call. After 3 vaginal deliveries, the C-section was a longer recovery, but no less beautiful. Every birth is so different. It’s an amazing thing to bring a baby into this world and the most important part of mothering is really in the long days and nights afterwards.

Alethea || MidKid Mama Blog || Birth Story ||Birth Story