Kylie Kelce may be days away from delivering her fourth child, but that didn’t stop her from standing up for C-section moms everywhere.
On a recent episode of her podcast Not Gonna Lie with Kelly Clarkson, the 33-year-old mom of three got brutally honest about birth plan judgment—and her message was both fierce and refreshingly validating.
“I’ve seen just a number of triggering comments… where people have been told by relatives or other people in their life that because they had an emergency C-section or a C-section that was scheduled, that they did not experience birth,” Kelce said.
Her response? Unapologetic.
“You can kindly f* right off.”*
And she made sure to underscore exactly what C-section mothers endure:
“They just had massive abdominal surgery to get out the human life that they just built.”
As the mother of Wyatt (5), Elliotte (4), and Bennett (2)—and with baby number four due any moment—Kylie’s defense of birth in all its forms couldn’t have come at a better time.
And for me? Her words rang true to my bones.
My story, like so many others
As a mama of three—two born via C-section and one VBAC—Kelce’s words stirred something deep in me. Because I know what it feels like to carry the weight of judgment, even while carrying the weight of a newborn.
Recovering from my first C-section was the most grueling physical experience of my life. I’ll never forget lying in that hospital bed after an unexpected cesarean, paralyzed by pain and fear. I couldn’t stand to change my baby’s diaper, couldn’t lean over to breastfeed without trembling, couldn’t rock him when he cried.
The pain was immobilizing. I truly feared my insides would fall out if I moved the wrong way.
Related: These celebrity moms shared their honest, vulnerable C-section experiences—and it’s a must-read
I rang the call bell, desperate for help. The nurse came in and, seeing my struggle, told me I should consider placing my baby in the nursery if I couldn’t care for him. I choked back sobs and told her I was trying to breastfeed—trying to bond, to mother, to do anything with a body that had just been through trauma. Her response cut me deeper than the incision:
“This is what it means to be a mother.”
I felt shattered.
The weeks that followed were a blur of exhaustion, pain, and isolation. And the aftermath? It took more than a year for me to feel like myself again. But I did grow stronger. Slowly. Quietly. Month by month.
Years later, when I was expecting my third child, I was so desperate to avoid another C-section recovery—especially with two little ones already at home—that I labored far too long without fully dilating. I’d had a triumphant VBAC with my second, and I was clinging to the hope I could do it again. But that hope ended in a true emergency. I was whisked into the OR so quickly I barely had time to comprehend what was happening. Antiseptic splashed across my belly, and I blacked out from the pain.
Three births. Three wildly different stories. But if there’s one thing I know for certain, it’s this:
C-section, vaginal, medicated, unmedicated, at home or in a hospital—every birth is valid. Every mother deserves to be honored, not shamed.
Related: 8 things to do now to prepare for your C-section
What every C-section mama should know
No matter how your story unfolds, here’s what every C-section mama deserves to know.
1. C-sections are real, valid births.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) affirms that cesarean delivery is a safe, often necessary option for countless medical reasons—including stalled labor, fetal distress, placenta previa, or repeat deliveries. It’s not “less than.” It’s just another way a baby enters this world.
2. You had major surgery. Be gentle with yourself.
A C-section involves incisions through the abdominal wall and uterus. According to the Mayo Clinic, recovery typically takes six weeks or more, and often includes mobility limitations, pain, and emotional challenges.
You are healing. You are adjusting. You are mothering. That is more than enough.
3. It’s okay to grieve, celebrate, or feel both.
Birth is both physical and emotional. And when it doesn’t go as expected—especially in emergency situations—it can leave deep emotional wounds. The Journal of Perinatal Education reports that up to 45% of birthing parents experience their labor as traumatic.
You’re not alone if you’re still unpacking your birth story, even years later. And you deserve support, not silence.
4. You owe no one an explanation.
There is no gold medal for how your baby enters the world. There is only the truth of what your body endured, the love you poured into your decision-making, and the strength it took to show up—scar, story, and all.
Whether you chose a C-section, needed one urgently, or had the decision made for you in a moment of chaos, you do not have to justify your experience to anyone. Your birth is not up for debate. It’s yours. And that makes it sacred.
So when someone tries to reduce it to anything less than what it was—real, raw, transformative—remember this: their opinion has no place in your story.
You don’t owe anyone a defense of how your baby got here. You only owe yourself the grace to honor that journey.
Related: Your postpartum recovery kit: Feel your best after a C-section
If you’re preparing for a C-section…
Here are a few tips to ease recovery:
- Stock up on postpartum essentials like high-waisted underwear, maxi pads, and a belly band for extra comfort.
- Bring a pillow to brace your abdomen when coughing or getting out of bed.
- Ask about post-op pain management and incision care.
- Set up baby care stations in different parts of your home with diapers, wipes, and nursing essentials to minimize movement.
- Prepare a cozy recovery space on the first floor if you have stairs, so you don’t have to climb up and down too soon.
- Delegate household chores ahead of time to make sure laundry, meals, and pet care are taken care of while you heal.
If you’ve already had a C-section…
You are not “less than.” You are not weak.
You are a mother who has known pain, patience, and profound love—all at once.
You don’t need a dramatic retelling to validate what you went through. The scar is real. The strength is real. And the love—the fierce, protective, all-consuming love—is undeniable.
Because every birth deserves respect. And every mother—especially those recovering from major surgery while learning to care for a brand new life—deserves more than judgment. She deserves compassion. And reverence. And room to heal on her own terms.
You did it, mama. And that is everything.
Every mama deserves to feel seen. If this story spoke to you, pass it on to someone who needs the reminder: her birth story is enough.
Related: 8 natural C-section recovery tips to help you feel better fast