I’ve been looking for an excuse to talk about the new season of Homeland for weeks now, and I guess this is it. Let’s get to the business at hand. Morena Baccarin (who plays Brody’s wife in Homeland) gave birth on Tuesday! In this current season of Homeland, you can really see her pregnancy, although the directors are really trying to hide it. I kind of wonder why they didn’t just write it into the story? She could be carrying Mike’s baby. That would have been a much more interesting storyline than the mess with g—damn Dana. Anyway, Morena’s baby news is interesting because she not only gave birth naturally… she gave birth BREECH and naturally.
It’s a boy! Actress Morena Baccarin and her husband Austin Chick welcomed their first child, a son, on Tuesday, Oct. 22, her rep confirms to PEOPLE exclusively.
Born in Glendale, Calif., Julius weighed in at just under eight pounds.
“Julius and his mother are happy and healthy,” the rep adds.
Despite being breech, the Homeland actress successfully delivered her baby boy naturally with the help of Dr. Ronald Wu at Glendale Adventist Medical Center. He is the only doctor in the Los Angeles area who offers expectant mothers the option to birth a breech baby in a hospital.
“I’m so happy I was able to deliver with Dr. Wu,” Baccarin, 34, tells PEOPLE. “Breech delivery is a dying art and he gave me the birth experience I wanted.”
You know how queasy I am about childbirth and such, so this story made me want to vom. No disrespect! In fact, all the respect out there to the ladies who feel this strongly about having a natural childbirth. As soon as I hear the word “breech,” I’m already reaching for the stronger drugs I have in my house. Let’s change the subject.
SPOILERS for Season 3 Homeland…
I kept waiting for the conspiracy theories of Season 2 to come to fruition in the first few episodes. I feel like the writers still have some big cards to play about Brody’s involvement in the Langley bombing, but so far those cards have not been played beyond Carrie’s Senate hearing freak out. I was so disappointed in Carrie for going off her meds, but I was actually enjoying the storyline about Carrie getting better in the psych ward and all of that. But then this week’s episode with the twist ending… okay, was anyone else crying? At first I was just so pleased that the writers had played the audience so beautifully, but then I had the sinking realization of just how far Carrie had taken it so her downfall could be “authentic”. Many were left wondering just when Saul and Carrie had put their plan into place – Homeland’s showrunner discussed the backstory with EW. Apparently, Carrie and Saul decided to “controversialize” Carrie just weeks after the Langley bombing.
As for the continued storylines with the Brody family… Jesus, I couldn’t care less. And that’s no slam on poor Morena – if the writers put some time into making her into something other than a harried mother, that character might be interesting. But as it is now, it feels like that part of the show is a completely different show. Also: Brody in Caracas? Blah. I kind of wanted to see more of that creepy doctor though. Make him a terrorist!
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Congrats to Morena! What a brave woman, glad she found a doctor willing to do it. And about Homeland, can’t see where it’s going, it’s all over the place and not looking that great. Past seasons were way better. Dana? Omg she could die already, I really wanted more Brody, this Venezuela thing sucks!
A big congratulations to the family! I’ve loved her since Firefly
Congrats to her!! My 2nd, born a few months ago, was breech and I delivered her naturally. Not on purpose…her feet were already out. So glad there was an experienced Dr because the younger ones told me they dont know how to deliver babies that are breech. I never want to do that again!
Yikes. Respect.
… and best wishes!!
Congratulations Inara Sera, you sexy mom you.
What does that mean? Breech? Is this something that everyone just knows offhand? I’m scared to Google it because you made it sound so horrible and I already have massive issues about pregnancy/children in general. Nvm. Don’t tell me. I don’t think I want to know…
It just means baby comes out feet or butt first instead of head first.
The head and shoulders are the biggest parts so once that slides through the rest of the body just comes out. A breech birth can cause complications because the head and shoulders can get stuck.
I don’t know what that means but it sounds painful. Congrats to them.
Babies should come out head first. Any other position is considered breech. Mine was footling breech (feet first). 🙂 little stinker!
Congratulations to her! I am glad she and her little one are healthy and doing great. I don’t watch Homeland but I enjoyed her performances on Firefly and V.
When I was pregnant with my twins, one of the big questions was how would we deliver. My OB’s office had the policy if baby A was head down, it would be a vaginal delivery and there was one doctor in the office, who said if he was on duty when I delivered and A was head down and B was breech, he’s the best in the area in delivering breech babies vaginally that he would deliver B breech instead of me having one vaginally the the second c-section.
All of it a moot point, because A was a little stinker and stayed breech, so I had a c-section.
My mum had me vaginally and I was breech, 26 years ago. When I ask her why they didn’t give her a c section, because it wasn’t the dark ages, she just shrugs. I think I would’ve sued!
congrats to them breech babies are only so commonly delivered by C-section because most new obstetric doctors weren’t taught how to deliver a breech baby vaginally safely. also if the chord is wrapped around the neck/body which often happens with breech babies they can be deprived of oxygen at birth and end up with developmental disabilities like cerebral Palsy and speech delays/impediments ask Barbara Bach her son Gianni has cerebral palsy from that exact scenario granted labor/delivery guidelines have changed in the 40 years since he was born
Oftentimes, there is no “safe” way to deliver a breech baby vaginally. They are at much higher risk for birth complications. The desire for a “natural” birth should never take precedence over the health and safety of the baby. I’m glad it worked out for her child.
Truth! I’ve seen a few vaginal breech babies and they can be quite scary. It isn’t uncommon for babies to have lots of problems after birth.
Yes, women have been having breech babies for centuries. But women and babies have also been dying in child birth for just as long. There is a reason many doctors aren’t trained to deliver breech babies. It is inherently more dangerous than a c/s delivery, all other things being equal. And, yes, I know c/s aren’t without risks. Most doctors will work with mamas to turn baby, for what it’s worth.
Also, I don’t know if this is her first baby but if it is, that is an additional risk to attempting a vaginal breech delivery. I’m glad they sound like they are all okay.
I’m not going to pretend that breech births don’t have a higher level of complications, but women used to have successful breech births all of the time. My second sister was a natural breech birth back in the 50s when there were no ultrasounds and very few C-sections. My mom still had her in only two hours. And my mom said it wasn’t as painful as the “back labor” she had with my oldest sister.
IMHO, safety trumps “personal politics” in childbirth. However, I don’t think this was necessarily and irresponsible decision on Morena’s part.
C-sections are major surgery to the body cavity, and have a higher risk (albeit still low) risk of complications than natural births. So even choosing a C-section is not an absolulte guarantee of a safe birth either. And with all of the monitoring available nowadays — they can stay right on top of the baby’s heart and oxygen levels. I’m sure her doctor was completely prepared to perform a C-section if the breech labor did not proceed smoothly.
My 6 year old was breech. I gotta say, it was PAINFUL. But we did it the old fashioned way as well, no c-section here! Thank goodness for wonderful doctors!
Congratulations!
Congrats. She is such a beauty. I really love her.
As for Homeland, I am hoping it picks up. I am tired of crazy Carrie and crazy Dana. Let’s get back to business.
Good for her. Too many unnecessary C-sections these days.
From my country’s experience – you are lucky you can say there are too many unnecessary C-sections because it means there are no stupid limits. It’s better to let a woman have the not exactly necessary C-section if she wants than let a woman bleed to death due to the lack of the necessary C-section. Where I live the new (introduced 2-3 years ago) C-section limits caused lots of women and children to die because the doctors didn’t want or couldn’t perform the procedure (the reason – money). My friend’s 25-year old wife died in labour because of the natural breech delivery and my mom’s friend’s infant granddaughter is completely paralyzed and mentally impaired for the same reason.
Where do you live? And I see that you mentioned money. Is it that c-sections aren’t covered unless they meet x criteria? I’m really curious about this restricted access. I never wanted a c-section, but if someone does, and if they ARE WILLING TO WAIT UNTIL THE CHILD IS TRULY FULL TERM, then God bless. (37 weeks is minimum to be considered full term. 40 weeks is ideal. If the mother doesn’t have a medical reason to deliver early, then I consider it very selfish to not give the child you chose to have time to cook fully.)
Wow, I’m sorry to hear that! That’s very sad. What country do you live in, may I ask?
I’m sorry you live somewhere with limitations but the other side of that coin is countries like China and Brazil that essentially force sections.
I’m from Poland. Every working person has an insurance which covers all sorts of procedures, including childbirth but the hospitals have limitations on the numbers of expensive procedures they can perform. Official version is that it was introduced to stop the doctors from performing unnecessary and costly surgeries but the reality is that the hospitals are afraid the National Health Fund will say they exceeded the financial limitations and won’t refund the costs of the additional procedures. It happens all the time and most hospitals are already in the enourmous debts. Because of those stupid limits the women are declined C-sections, cancer patients are declined chemo, people with heart diseases are waiting years to even see a cardiologist etc. and it’s all a big mess. The most interesting fact is that when someone dies, the National Health Fund says it was all the hospital’s/doctor’s fault because of course they should have done everything to save lives but the truth is that the hospitals simply don’t have money to pay for the off-limit treatments.
So sad to hear. And you are correct. Also, c/s don’t become “unnecessary” until afterwards when baby turns out just fine. Hindsight is always 20/20.
Cel –
There are many, many unnecessary c-sections. Doctor convenience being one of the causes. There was a heated debate here a couple of months ago. There’s a strong movement towards elective c-sections for reasons including: doctor convenience, mother’s fear of vaginal birth, mother’s fear of episiotomy, etc. In other words, a strong push towards sections with no medical necessity.
Oh totally.
I had a glorious vaginal birth that led to a 4th degree tear, PPH and me no longer being in control of my bladder and bowels.
But hey, at least I didn’t have an unnecessary c/s.
Calling it a “lost art” is a bit much. That implies some sort of choice in the child’s position. I’m all about giving birth how one feels comfortable but wow, delivering breech is where I’d be drawing the line. I’m glad she was in a a hospital.
What they mean by “lost art” is that delivering a baby in such a position requires a finesse and proficiency that many doctors do not have anymore.
It has nothing to do with having a choice in the child’s position, just the skill, care, and thinking it can take to safely deliver the child who happens to be in that position.
I read it as her saying her part was a lost art. I recognize my error there but I can understand why it’s not a widespread practice. Most hospitals would probably never even entertain the idea. I respect her choice but I can understand the more accepted practice would be sections or turning exercises.
She is so insanely gorgeous but her character is so annoying, i really do tune out whenever it comes to Jess or Dana. Chris is okay though… for now.
I googled “breech delivery” and it made me want to die, but are there any benefits to breech deliveries compared to the “normal” head-first delivery or c-sections?
Some will argue the benefit is that the mother may hold the child right away and nurse her right away after the vaginal delivery. Not in all instances, but in many, section babies (which would have been the alternative here) are kept from the mother a little longer because mom needs to be closed up/recover a bit from the abdominal surgery she just had. A breech delivery over a head first delivery has no added benefit. In fact, it is almost always more dangerous for mother and child.
Birth story follows, skip if uninterested:
My husband was born frank breech (that’s butt first) naturally, and even without a doctor because the doctor didn’t get there in time. My first kid was breech. They tried unsuccessfully to get her to turn around, and then I had an emergency c-section. I later found out breech babies seem to run in my husband’s family, which he could have told me about beforehand!
Whoa, yeah that is some important information that was left out.
I’m glad your daughter got here safely.
Yikes indeed! Congrats to her and her baby.
I think it’s so weird that she felt the need to announce how her baby was born. Good for her for delivering how she wanted, and she did it smartly by making sure she was in a hospital in case anything went wrong and plans had to change, but I feel like she’s bragging or something. Reminds me of the “what’s your excuse?” fitness lady.
Not only do younger docs not know how to deliver breech, but in many areas, docs’ malpractice insurance forbids them for taking the risk of delivering breech babies vaginally. I’m curious if this was her doc all along, or she switched doctors late in the game because she found out the baby was breech and wanted to try for a vaginal delivery. I found out my daughter was breech at maybe 36 weeks along – and no way was I swapping docs that late in the game!
Congrats to her and her husband!
Every other celebrity talks about how their kid was born… But hers is bragging? I don’t think she should be denied the right to be proud of delivering naturally when she deserves it! I know plenty of women proud of delivering with an epi, or c section, and I felt proud to go without. let her feel proud, Jesus.
I was a big fan of this show but so far Season 3 totally blows.
I like Morena but f I have to endure one more reel of Dana I will go full Carrie and start banging my head into the bathroom mirror. Why does Alex Gansa have a Pervy obssession with sulky, bitchy, sexually active teenage girls in danger? (See Kim Bauer of 24, also the object of widespread fan disgust)
I’m only watching now for another look at Rupert’s ass. They should have put him front and center instead of this lame version of Espionage Twilight.
I remember when she was Marshall’s rebound on How I Met Your Mother! lol. Time flies. Congrats 🙂
I did the same alone at home in the tub,nurses yelled at me.will never do it again. super stupid
Sounds horrific. No amount of kegels would get things back to normal after that.