Virgin Radio DJ and mum-of-two Edith Bowman has revealed how she felt when other mums responded negatively to her caesareans, in an exclusive interview with Essentials magazine.
The breakfast show host, who gave birth to both of her sons via planned caesarean section, said, 'I hate the judgemental reaction that can come with certain aspects of motherhood. When you tell some people, "I've had a C-section" they kind of go, "Ohhh...' like I've harmed my child or something - it's like, "What do you mean? You don't know the circumstances around why I've had a C-section and it's none of your business!"'
Edith, who is married to Editors frontman Tom Smith, was advised to have caesareans as she has a bicuspid aortic valve, a serious heart defect that means natural labour could put her life at risk. However, the Anstruther-born DJ says it doesn't matter what the reasons are, a woman should be allowed to make her own mind up when it comes to childbirth.
'The priority should be that both parties are healthy and well, and however that mother decides to give birth to her child is nothing to do with anyone else,' said the 42 year-old presenter in our exclusive chat.
Edith's boys Rudy, seven, and Spike, three, are certainly fit and well. 'Even when I was breastfeeding, both my boys were bloody hungry,' she laughs. 'You think, "Oh man are they getting enough?" Because you can't really tell how much they're drinking. I remember going to a health visit with Rudy and saying, "He's not getting enough nutrition from me I might need to top him up" and the nurse was like, "He's putting on a pound a week. I think he's absolutely fine".'
'Breastfeeding is such a personal thing too,' continues Edith. 'My mum had a big chat with me when I had Rudy because I really wanted to breastfeed but it's not a given. She had tried to breastfeed my brother and I, but she just couldn't and she felt like a failure. She told me, "You can't let it get to you, if you can't do it, it's not the end of the world".'
Fortunately for Edith, she was able to breastfeed both her boys but she certainly wouldn't think negatively of any woman that didn't. 'I was lucky that I was able to breastfeed and it was a wonderful experience, but people shouldn't be judgemental to women because they might not be able to or might not want to. It's their choice,' she asserts.
'I think it's important to support other mums. It's about saying, "It's all right to feel lonely. It's all right to feel guilty because we all do, so don't beat yourself up about it."
We couldn't agree more, Edith!
You can read more from Edith in the June issue of Essentials magazine, on sale now
Inside the new issue, you'll find:
- Exclusive interview with Edith Bowman
- Free L'Oreal Nail Polish set worth £8.99
- Fitspo special: Joe Wicks and the other (hot) health gurus changing the way we look
- Addicted to tech - Could your family survive a digital detox?
- Your most Googled beauty questions answered
- £3 Family meals and tasty bakes
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