Man Can’t Let Go That GF Had An Emergency C-Section, Is Upset She’s Sensitive About It

Childbirth, whichever form it takes, is the most powerful experience ever, and no one should be able to take that away from moms. 

Unfortunately, in this story, a woman shared feeling less than after giving birth to her son because her boyfriend told her, on several occasions, that she took an ‘easy way out’ since she had to have an emergency C-section. Despite asking him to stop with such comments, he just got annoyed by it, which pushed her to turn to some guidance online.

Scroll down to find the full story and conversation with a doula and childbirth educator, Maeva Althaus, who kindly agreed to share her insights on the stigma surrounding C-sections.

Women should feel empowered and supported during and after pregnancy

Young couple holding newborn baby, capturing a tender moment after a traumatic birth experience at home.

Image credits: Kelly Sikkema / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Unfortunately, this woman felt anything but because her partner accused her of taking an “easy way out,” as she had an emergency C-section

Text excerpt from a woman sharing her traumatic emergency C-section birth experience and boyfriend's reaction.

Text excerpt describing a woman’s traumatic birth experience and her boyfriend’s comments about her taking the easy way out.

Woman with eyes closed and hands near face, showing emotion after traumatic birth experience, feeling misunderstood by boyfriend.

Image credits: Daniel Martinez / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Text on a white background stating a woman’s traumatic birth experience required surgery and ongoing recovery despite boyfriend’s dismissive comments.

Text conversation showing a woman expressing frustration after a traumatic birth experience and lack of support.

Woman goes through traumatic birth experience feeling disrespected and emotional after boyfriend claims easy way out

Image credits: Choice_Writer9248

Image credits: George Dagerotip / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

About 46% of pregnancies involve unexpected complications

There’s no such thing as a “perfect” birth, except for the one that is safe and ends with a healthy mom and baby. That said, many moms (sometimes even their partners and family included) strive to have a natural experience without resorting to medical intervention. In reality, the risk of complications during birth is significant, with about 46% of pregnancies involving unexpected complications.

While having a positive mindset towards birth can help moms go into labor more relaxed and confident (which can make labor go faster and less painful, too!), forming an ideal image without keeping in mind the risks that it might come with can be damaging if it doesn’t go as expected.

Parents who prioritize ‘ideal’ birth may refuse necessary medical intervention, which can put both the baby’s and mom’s lives at risk. Moms’ mental health also can take a hit if the perfect image of birth they had in mind doesn’t materialize.

A doula and childbirth educator, Maeva Althaus, explains that this idealized view of birth comes from unrealistic societal expectations.

“We live in a society where women are held to some impossible standards and a culture that puts too much emphasis on performance and control. The unspoken pressure to have the “perfect” pregnancy, the “ideal” birth, a “fast” recovery can leave some women feeling like they failed,” she says.

“A lot of the thinking in the birth world is very binary: natural versus medical and “natural is best” can contribute to a sense of failure in women who had cesareans.”

Image credits: Christian Bowen / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

“The truth is that birth is unpredictable—and no one can control every outcome”

It’s important that the stigma surrounding C-sections is reduced, as necessary C-sections save lives, stresses Althaus.

“The conversation should focus on how systems can better support physiology and safety—not shame the outcome. Often there is this idea that a C-section is the “easy way out’ and that you ‘did not really give birth,’ but the truth is that birth is unpredictable—and no one can control every outcome.”

Focusing on health education and healthcare access that engage both men and women can help to dispel the myths and misinformation surrounding C-sections, which can be very harmful to moms’ and newborns’ lives.

“People should know that a C-section birth is a powerful, courageous, and often deeply emotional experience. As a doula, I know that a surgical birth requires just as much strength, presence, and support in the lead-up and after,” reassuringly concludes Althaus.

Readers were appalled by the boyfriend’s remarks, saying any form of childbirth is anything but easy, and sharing their own stories

Text post about a woman’s traumatic birth experience involving fetal distress and a C-section during labor.

Text discussing risks and healing challenges of childbirth and C-sections during a traumatic birth experience.

Comment discussing the traumatic birth experience of a woman and criticizing her boyfriend's dismissive attitude.

Comment discussing a woman’s traumatic birth experience and her boyfriend’s lack of respect for her feelings.

Comment discussing traumatic birth experience and boyfriend’s misunderstanding of the delivery pain and effort involved.

Comment about woman’s traumatic birth experience and boyfriend misunderstanding the difficulty of her surgery and recovery.

Comment discussing a woman's traumatic birth experience and her boyfriend wrongly thinking she took the easy way out.

Comment discussing traumatic birth experience and misunderstanding from boyfriend about c-section being easy way out

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a traumatic birth experience and misunderstanding from the boyfriend about the effort involved.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing a traumatic birth experience and criticism about taking the easy way out.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment explaining the severity of traumatic birth and the boyfriend’s misunderstanding of the healing process.

Comment discussing traumatic birth experience, emergency c-section, and unsupportive boyfriend belittling her recovery.

Commenter describes traumatic birth experiences, recovery challenges, and criticizes boyfriend’s view on easy way out in childbirth.

Comment text describing a woman’s traumatic birth experience and criticism of her boyfriend’s view on the recovery process.

Comment discussing traumatic birth experience and criticizing insensitive boyfriend about easy way out perception.

Commenter sharing experience of traumatic birth involving C-section and vaginal deliveries, addressing misconceptions about easy way out.

Comment discussing a boyfriend being called a jerk for thinking a woman took the easy way out during a traumatic birth experience.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a traumatic birth experience and misunderstanding around C sections.

Woman goes through traumatic birth experience while boyfriend wrongly assumes she took an easy way out during recovery.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing a traumatic birth experience and the boyfriend’s reaction about the easy way out.

Woman shares traumatic birth experience after 27-hour labor while boyfriend doubts and criticizes her choices.

Comment discussing traumatic birth experience and boyfriend’s insensitive reaction to recovery pain and process.

Woman shares traumatic birth experience while boyfriend doubts her, thinking she took the easy way out during emergency delivery.

Comment about traumatic birth experience and boyfriend being disrespectful for thinking she took the easy way out.

Comment from OB MD explaining why sections are not the easy way out during a traumatic birth experience.

Screenshot of an online comment disputing a boyfriend’s view on a woman’s traumatic birth experience and emergency surgery.

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