Gisele Bundchen brags about her home birth, which was against her doctor’s advice

Gisele Bundchen at arrivals for Rei Kawa...

I’ve surprised myself by enjoying the excerpts from Gisele Bundchen’s memoir, the terribly titled Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life. I realize she’s all about natural, organic, clean eating and clean living everything, but her editor should have rejected that title. Anyway, as we know, Gisele is all about being all-natural (unless you’re talking about plastic surgery!). She’s spoken before about giving birth to her two children without drugs, but I didn’t remember that she delivered via home birth. She talks about that in her memoir too:

Gisele Bundchen couldn’t be talked out of having a home birth — even against her doctor’s warnings. The 38-year-old model was set on delivering her first child with husband Tom Brady — son Benjamin — at home in 2009, even though she was almost talked out of it during her four-month checkup.

“The doctor told me that it was too dangerous for me to have a home birth. He said that Benny was in an unusual position, my hips were too small and the odds weren’t in my favor. He said it was probably best for me to schedule a c-Section.”

But the Brazilian native was set on giving birth oy her own terms, and although Brady “wasn’t enthusiastic” about the idea at first, he eventually relented. “My plan was to give birth in my bathtub, although I’d overlooked an important fact: I’m 5’11” and the bathtub was, well, not a lot bigger than that,” she explains. “I was in labor with Benny for 16 hours and the last three I spent in the bathtub.”

She also told the show why she chose not to use pain medication while she was going in labor. “I wanted to be conscious and present for what was happening,” the author explained. “I didn’t want to be anesthetized. I wanted to feel.”

Bundchen bounced back quite quickly after welcoming her son. “The second day, I was walking, I was washing dishes,” she recalled. “I was making pancakes in the kitchen.”

[From Us Weekly]

I say this endlessly, but no, I’m not a mom and I’ve never given birth. The whole childbirth thing has always terrified me, and had I ever chosen to be pregnant, I would have also chosen the elective C-section and the strongest drugs I could get my hands on. The women who choose drugs or C-sections (or need them for medical reasons) shouldn’t be shamed, nor is it shameful or less authentic to give birth in a hospital. I believe in “you do you” and a woman’s right to choose is about a lot of things, and there are a buffet of choices to make. All I’m saying is that Gisele’s choices don’t have to be yours, and if your childbirth experiences are different, that’s fine too. I’ve always found her super-judgy and vaguely patronizing about pregnancy and childbirth, and I find this particular story to be irresponsible: if your doctor is strongly against a home birth, guess what? You should at least consider what your doctor has to say.

Tom Brady, Gisele Bundchen at arrivals f...

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

121 Responses to “Gisele Bundchen brags about her home birth, which was against her doctor’s advice”

Comments are Closed

We close comments on older posts to fight comment spam.

  1. Malachite says:

    Yeah, it’s great it worked out for her, but that was an irresponsible decision considering she could have chosen a home-like birth in a separate part of a hospital with midwives so that she could have been looked at by doctors if necessary and had access to surgery if she needed. Am really sick of sanctimommy s–t especially when putting one’s health/baby’s health at risk is considered noble, brave, and the only “right” way to have a baby.

    • Jan90067 says:

      Is there *anything* this woman won’t brag about?? We get it already; you’re Superwoman. Now, go way!

      • OldBeeyutch says:

        I tried a “home birth” but the mid wife suggested a “lotus birth”. Tho I’ve heard different definitions, SHE said I would “keep the placenta attached and salted till it fell off my son”. Oh. F. No.
        I immediately called a cab, off to hotel hospital where my princess kind belong.

    • lisa says:

      Giz-elle sounds like an idiot. Why would she risk her baby’s life? So that she could brag about it later.

    • Andrea says:

      Liar, liar pants on fire. I don’t know if this is a typo, but this cannot be correct:

      “she was almost talked out of it during her four-month checkup: “The doctor told me that it was too dangerous for me to have a home birth. He said that Benny was in an unusual position, my hips were too small and the odds weren’t in my favor. He said it was probably best for me to schedule a c-Section.”

      The four month check up is way too early to determine the babies position and to schedule a c-section. She’s obnoxious. Is she also anti-vaxx?

  2. Millenial says:

    Im all aboard the midwife/de-medicalize birth train – we do have the highest c-section rates and maternal mortality rates in the developed world, after all, but I also can’t get behind completely ignoring your doctor’s advice.

    Also, there are lots of doctors out there (especially available to someone with resources like Giselle) who would support her desire for a “natural” birth (even if the first doctor wasn’t willing) without her going through with the unneccessary danger of a home birth.

    • Nikki says:

      This sounds like a great compromise to me, Millenial.

    • Yup, Me says:

      I agree with this but I also think that a doctor that is recommending an elective C-section to a patient should get a side eye and said patient should seek a second opinion.

      • ItReallyIsYou,NotMe says:

        Why was this the discussion at her 4 month checkup? That’s really early to be discussing a csection unless it’s a second birth. It’s very possible that the baby changed positions later in the pregnancy.

      • Lee1 says:

        That’s what I thought too – what doctor would be seriously concerned about the baby’s position at 4 months? My second baby switched positions 4 times in the last month before he was born. Unless she is referring to the position of the placenta and not the baby (which could be known at 4 months and could pose a serious risk if it is too low and close to the cervix, though that also will often move up closer to the end of pregnancy), I have to assume that either her doctor was pushing an unnecessary c-section and shouldn’t have been trusted, or she is making some of the details up.

      • SWP says:

        I’m voting the ‘made up details’ answer. Girls at her height and esp on the first pregnancy are barely showing at 4 months! Google Kate Middleton at four months and there is nothing there! And she’s not as tall as Gisele.
        Hogwash.

        She has access to the best docs in the country; even elective c sections aren’t discussed until much later in the game. And yes I know that personally. Wink.

    • OldBeeyutch says:

      REad my post above….I WILL say that I didn’t want a c section, at age 32, I was more vain about my abs than about my chooch. So I labored at home w a weird hippy mid- wife…but when she got too ,well, “HMW”, I went to my proper place w santized staff I adore. Also, I was able to “push him out” because I labored at home. (Long time). So. Okay. We both have a point.

  3. C says:

    I understand choosing this kind of birth, but when I see women talking about it it always sound like they are shaming the women that decided or couldn’t have that way.

    • Nancy says:

      This is just a continuation of yesterday. Why would she write a memoir in the first place? Is she famous for being a model or a football player’s wife. WTF cares. She can run over to a Duggar blog and talk about having her natural births at home, until there is a crisis and you need a hospital. Well at least we get to see Pony Boy’s Golden Embroidery on his labels. Couple of Narcissists.

    • Gigi La Moore says:

      I think as women we all just need to learn how to own our own choices and tune out the voices. I refuse to feel bad or shamed just because another woman is doing something that I didn’t do or couldn’t do.

      • Nancy says:

        Agree. I’m a traditional person and wouldn’t dream of telling somebody else so much detail or trying to persuade decisions of others. This beotch can have her spawn doing handstands, flipping her pancakes the next day while taking selfies. These so called celebs need to zip it. From her to the Kardashians to whomever. Sorry I am a crazed pregnant woman! LOL

  4. Nikki says:

    I would be dead if EITHER of my deliveries were home births, so obviously I’m against them! Got sudden life-threatening toxemia at my first, with my twins moving transverse breach, and in my supposedly smooth second delivery, the cord got wrapped around my son’s neck and I needed an emergency C-section instead of the V-back I’d hoped for. As it was, my son was in intensive care for 6 days with a respiratory problem from breathing meuconium. Is a joyful natural birth experience of a day worth the risk of a lifetime of regret?? The risks are too high.

    • Stacy Dresden says:

      Same here. Healthy pregnancy, complication following delivery, and surgeon said I’d be dead if I had to get transport to the ER from a midwife birthing center.

    • Jb says:

      Another voice from the grave here. My son was, literally, stuck (head down, face up). My blood pressure took a dive, code was called and 5 minutes later he was born (blue, but revived – I was under general). Only reason we are both alive is that I was wheeled (at a run) into the OR. Choose wisely friends. I had zero risk factors, swam (literally) every other day of my pregnancy for 30 to 45 minutes, ate perfectly, gained only what was suggested, perfect blood pressure – absolutely no indication of how things would go.

      • Gutterflower says:

        I was at my best friend’s delivery and everything went well until the doc delivered the placenta. Turns out she had accreta and almost bled out. Rushed to the OR and and had 2 transfusions. Almost died twice even with medical intervention. Giselle is a dumbass if her story is actually true.

      • Nikki says:

        Jb and Gutterflower, your stories scared the beejezus out of me! Jb, I’m also glad you emphasized how perfectly fit and healthy you were going into it, because women should realize that being fit and healthy doesn’t guarantee that no life threatening problem could come up. So glad it turned out OK for both of you!!

    • Trashaddict says:

      This. I’m so glad you both chose wisely. I’d also be willing to bet that they had someone on hand in case things went badly, even if she’s not saying it.

    • MaryContrary says:

      My MD husband was fine with me seeing midwives throughout my pregnancies, and having a doula. There was no fricking way he would have let me have a home birth for just these reasons. You NEVER know what can go wrong.

    • Raina says:

      I’m also of the live n let live mindset. Hey whatever works.
      I just think some people maybe find her smug. I don’t know; she seems pretty earnest if not a tad bit stuck in a bubble of money/celebrity “life”
      Sometimes I have this feeling that wealthy, powerful and/or famous people are so used to getting their own way that they feel entitled to have a prefect birth, a perfect life, nothing will DARE go wrong sort of thing. I honestly believe people are muted, growth wise, if too many things go their way. It’s like a toddler used to getting whatever they want when they cry.

      So sorry to hear you had such trauma and difficulty during childbirth, been there, but glad that everything worked out well in the end!!

    • Sojaschnitzel says:

      My very healthy and strong sister almost lost her baby aswell, his heart stopped beating during the birth and they had to do an emergency c-section so… I’d opt for the hospital and the most drugs available 😀

  5. cherry says:

    Golly, she’s so full of herself. “The second day, I was walking, I was washing dishes,” she recalled. “I was making pancakes in the kitchen.” Congratulations, that’s a miracle. You are the first woman ever to give birth and then get back to business.

    • Maum says:

      Quite. I was taking a shower an hour after giving birth naturally with my 3rd and was discharged the next day (UK).
      I’m pretty sure I was carried to the car… 😊

    • BB says:

      I’d be pissed if I had to do dishes the day after giving birth lol where was her damn husband?!

      • Raina says:

        @BB I have a feeling she’s the type of person that wants to do the dishes and revels in being a superwoman homemaker.

    • Patty says:

      LOL. Right. But to each their own. I know someone from college who turned into earth mother and delivered all six, yes six, of her kids at home and she lives in rural NE. It’s more common than people realize. I say these decisions are between a woman and her Dr.,etc. I don’t know if anyone who would feel bad about her own experience after hearing Giselle wax poetically about hers. I would imagine most women who have had children probably don’t care.

      • Andrea says:

        Hilarious that you think women like that consult doctors. Many, many people believe they know more than MDs and choose to do things their way. “I say these decisions are between a woman and her Dr.,etc.” It’s none of my business, obviously expect when it comes to vaccinations.

      • Raina says:

        For ME, after the pain and length of my labor experience and conceding to any pain medication I could get, the only way I would ever give birth at home without medication is if someone literally chained me to the bed and physically punched me into a coma.
        Even then..

    • OldBeeyutch says:

      “The fifth day I was in a pit of existential disapair due realization of pending college funds and permanently fallen taint”. Oh wait, that the memoir of the rest of us mortal peasants.

    • Nikki says:

      My mom said, “After you give birth, don’t change out of your bathrobe. The minute you do, everyone will expect you to get up and cook!!” 🙂

    • Sojaschnitzel says:

      Anyone else laughing at “My hips are too small”? Just me?

  6. Noodles says:

    I don’t know whether that was bravery or stupidity but at her age, the odds of things going wrong would have been much higher. Also I think we are all different and many women have a hard time with their first birth.

    Saying that, I have three kids and I’ve had two home births. My second child was born at home because he just came too quickly. No pain relief or medical assistance and I was terrified. I was however up and about, feeling pretty much fine within a couple of hours and it was so lovely to be home with my elder son too. My third child was a planned home birth because I found the whole experience of being at home and the fast recovery amazing. By comparison to my first born and the hospital experience, home birth was way better.

    What I’m saying is that although childbirth is scary and painful, the pain is over pretty quickly and for most people the recovery is quick. Pain relief and c-section may solve that short term problem but the recovery can be much more painful, long lasting and full of complications. Not to mention the drugs that baby is then exposed to. I think people have to weigh up their options, risks and make a real educated and informed decision. What is right for one person, isn’t for another.

    • Lightpurple says:

      Ben is almost 9. She would have been 28-29 when she had him.

    • Fern says:

      I’m very happy that neither you nor your baby died, but your anecdotal story doesn’t cover up all the really big scary things that can happen in labor. and age has very little to do with it, you can be 15 or 45 and have smooth easy deliveries or the worst delivery ever. you can be completely health and your baby can be completely health and your cord can prolapse and kill your baby within minutes, or you can hemorrhage and bleed out before you can make it to the hospital. those are REAL complications doctors treat every day in health women on labor and delivery units.

      • Tiffany :) says:

        One of my college friends was very enamored by the idea of a home birth experience and started training to become a doula. When she really started researching, she realized the many risks that come with home birth. She did a total 180, going from being a staunch home birth advocate to warning against it.

        Hospital care for women needs to be improved drastically, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t serious risks when it comes to home birth.

    • aang says:

      Take a look at the Exposing the Silence Project. Hospital births can go very very wrong as well. And they usually go wrong because woman are treated very poorly by the medical industry. I had two home births. I was in my mid 20’s, everything was normal, and was attended by 2 CNMs. The same midwives that had delivered my cousins at home a decade earlier. I was also up and about, doing laundry and such within a few hours. It is so relaxing to be in your own home that I think it takes a lot of the exhaustion away. If I were to get pregnant now I’d choose a birthing center just due to my age. I would not go to the hospital unless I had no other choice.

      • Jaded says:

        Good for you. One of my best friends decided on a home birth – she nearly bled to death and the baby was born dead. If she’d been in the hospital the baby would have lived. She’s never forgiven herself. Please don’t use your experience and one exposé as proof that home births are the way to go.

      • Gatinha523 says:

        So you’re using anecdotal evidence to prove that aang’s anecdotal evidence isn’t relevant? Mmkay

      • Aang says:

        Jaded it was my choice. Just like any other woman can choose for herself. I would never try and shame another woman for her choice. The Netherlands has a home birth rate of 30% and a lower infant and maternal mortality rate than the US where home births are only about 1% of births. Trust women to make their own decisions.

      • Ange says:

        While I’m glad it went well for you I just think once you’re having a kid if there’s any inkling things might not go well it stops being about you and your magical foresty home birth because you’re not the only one at risk. Informed decisions with calculated outcomes all the way.

      • Trashaddict says:

        I agree the c/section rate is too high. The question is whether the Netherlands has equally high risk as the US. Many women are giving birth later, their weight is heavier, they have diabetes and hypertension or other chronic illnesses. Also the Netherlands doesn’t have the crazy malpractice situation the States has. It can be extremely difficulty to make the call for c/section and it’s somewhat driven by medical risk and somewhat by litigation risk. It’s an economic reality. Rates also vary by state a fair amount, could be various factors driving that.
        https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/cesarean_births/cesareans.htm

    • SWP says:

      I knew this thread would turn into “mine went fabulous; therefore it’s scientifically always true.”

      Gross. I’m out of here.

  7. Kittycat says:

    She stated it was during the fourth month check.

    Isnt there five more months of pregnancy?

    Clearly she needs a ghost writer to clear up these things.

    • Missy says:

      I would have went to another doctor if mine said at four months pregnant that I should schedule a c section…I don’t see why that would even be brought up so early on in a first pregnancy with no complications.

      • LadyT says:

        I know. It doesn’t even make sense. The bottom line is she’s “story” telling for dramatic effect.

      • Aurelia says:

        Agreed, it’s a case of wait and see. My placenta was over my cervix at 4 months and the midwife said 9 times out of 10 women with this sitch women will need a c – section but things can change. It can move away from the cervix as the placenta grows. We will make the descision at 35 weeks. Giselle is so painful, But will agree she has no hips. That part is true at least.

        I remember Miranda kerr saying she went all out with her first baby for the natural route, home birth and no pain meds. She said she was in so much pain she had an out of body experience. It benefitted nobody. I imagine second time around for her was different.

    • Moneypenny424 says:

      Yep, came to say the same thing. Sorry, but no doctor is going to say at 4 months that you must have a C-section because of the baby’s positioning. The doctor is going to wait *several* months before saying that (unless there is something wrong with the baby or if the mom has certain conditions).

  8. Rocky says:

    I know someone who gave birth at home against doctors orders. The baby died. Giselle was lucky.

  9. HelloSunshine says:

    To each their own but I really can’t stand how full of herself she is lol congrats to you for ignoring medical advice, having a home birth that thankfully didn’t go wrong and managing to shame those of us who opted for an epidural!

    Btw, she can suck my big toe. I spent a full 24 hours in labor before I had an epidural. Come talk to me when you’re literally throwing up between every contraction and in so much pain that you can’t “be present” 🙄

    • Mel M says:

      Yes! With my first all I wanted was a natural birth because I thought that was the best way. Ha! I had to be induced due to conplications with my baby and after 11hours of excruciating pain and throwing up I finally relented and asked for the epidural. The anesthesiologists couldn’t get to me for an hour because it was so busy. As I was laying there while he gathered up his things to leave, my husband wasn’t even back in the room yet and my water broke, literally not even 5 minutes after I laid back down. I was so tense from the pain, so when I finally relaxed there it went. My daughter was born under an hour later but because of her issues I didn’t even get to hold her, they showed her to me and then took her straight to the nursery for two hours to be monitored.

      I was hoping for a better experience with my second but because my daughter had complications they monitored me closely with him and he also had issues (not the same ones) which lead to an emergency c-section at 34 weeks. The, rip off your clothing and put you under within 13 minutes, kind of emergency. So with our third I was hoping to get a chance at a VBAC because I still wanted to have the birth experience that in my mind was the one everyone else got, the way it was supposed to be. Going into labor on my own and delivering my baby and having them lay them on your chest and just picture perfect. I found out I was having twins and that flew out the window. My biggest baby was only 6lb7oz so I wasn’t going to risk anything with carrying two babies. They of course went to full term and were over six pounds each. They were also both breach. In the end I still get a little sad I didn’t have the “normal” or “ideal” birth with any of them but they are all here and healthy.

  10. Gigi La Moore says:

    Too many C-Sections and Hysterectomies in this country. Doctors will always advise what’s best for their bottom line. A lot are also full of arrogance, brushing off concerns unless you push the issue. I was told for years to do changes to my diet for an intestinal issue. Had to push to see a specialist and found I needed surgery. I have now had 15 years of relief. And the medical staff who overdosed and killed my 3 yr old nephew certainly aren’t ones to take advice from. Gisele made her choice. As long as she was willing to deal with the consequences, good for her.

    • VirgiliaCoriolanus says:

      LOL too many hysterectomies? My older sister was 23 with one kid and wanted to get a hysterectomy…….her doctor wouldn’t do it until she had at least 3 kids or was over 25. When my mom, who had her last kid at 38 (and is now 54) wanted to get her tubes tied…….even though she was 38 and this was her FIFTH kid, she had to go through a day of counseling/therapy, and then wait three days before she could get it in case she changed her mind.

    • SWP says:

      Thank you, sanctimommy. Where did you get your MD?

    • OldBeeyutch says:

      I have a theory. I’ve taken Advil for menstral cramps since mom handed me three giant horse pillls. My point is, our culture is under equipped to deal w pain. When I had contractions I was flabberflustered, I can say I registered -death- and DID NOT DILATE. I had never gone through any pain ever in my life. It had been so easy! So I was given a relaxation drug, and during “studio 54” (yes I was sooooo high) I pushed out my baby. I think the many c sections are due to pain intolerance combined w rushed doctors. But F the home births- I love sanitized professionals.

  11. Mellie says:

    I was walking the day I gave birth, it was a regular delivery, in the hospital, but whoopee…most people do walk a little bit after they deliver. Big dam deal for her.

    • HelloSunshine says:

      Walking after giving birth is what’s medically recommended to help recovery lol I had an emergency c section in the afternoon and was up and walking that evening. She’s not special, she just REALLY thinks she is lol

    • Nancy says:

      But did you make pancakes the next day? Lol. She reeks of privilege, not to mention bullshit. She is a very annoying women married to an equally annoying man. I hope any groupie fans don’t listen to her experience and take it as advice. As @Rocky said above, a women went against her doctor’s orders and her baby died. Sometimes silence is golden with these damn so-called celebrities. Does wearing pretty clothes make you a celebrity??

      • HelloSunshine says:

        Hahah Nancy, I guess I’m a bad woman and Mom because I was still in the hospital and the only pancakes near me were made by the hospital kitchen and being shoved down my throat 😂😂

        I feel like c sections get a bad rap nowadays. Maybe it’s not the case other places, but where I’m at, they absolutely encourage vaginal delivery. I went through hours of interventions before we called it and scheduled an emergency c section, which saved my son’s life. Most insurances won’t cover an elective c section anyway. They don’t want to pay for major surgery unless they have to.

      • HelloSunshine says:

        And Nancy, I hope your pregnancy is going well! I think you and i are fairly close due date wise and i hope you’re feeling better than I am lol

      • Mellie says:

        No, I did not…but I let someone bring me breakfast in bed, which is better in my book! hahaha! Good luck on your pregnancies girls, babies are so fun!!

      • Nancy says:

        HelloSunshine: I’m doing well considering how damn old I am! I’ve been so blessed with my pregnancies. Hope you feel better. Envision the result of the pregnancy, your new baby! A Christmas baby?? I wish you nothing but the best and the easiest birth ever, truly doll. @Mellie: Right. Does she really think anyone on the planet believes she was out in the kitchen flipping pancakes. Rather delusional, I think! 🥞 Lol

  12. Lala11_7 says:

    Irksome.

  13. Lightpurple says:

    If the doctor said that at 4 months and not again, then things must have progressed better than the doctor originally expected at the beginning of the second trimester.

    If things had gone wrong during the delivery, their home in Boston was less than a mile from Massachusetts General Hospital, about a mile from Tufts Medical, Center & Floating Children’s Hospital, and about three miles from Brigham & Women and Children’s Hospital. All four routinely make the short list of best hospitals in the US, if not the world. Gisele and Ben could have quickly accessed excellent care if needed.

    • G should have asked you to edit her book, lightpurple. These are all good things for her to mention. But that might stand in the way of her self-deification regarding childbirth. lol

      • Nancy says:

        Lightpurple is just a fan of anything Boston. I get it. It probably feels personal to her and it’s not at all. LP, the Cavs had probably their one and only win over the Celtics in preseason. I will still cheer because, like you, I am loyal to those I love.

    • CairinaCat says:

      When things go seriously wrong, like they did with my youngest, there is barely time to run you across the hall to the OR

      I was dialated 10cm and my son’s head was crowning when my uterus ruptured.
      They ripped the cords to the various things out of the wall and pushed my entire bed across the hall to the OR.
      There was no time to even transfer me to a gurney.

      There was no time for them to put me under either, they had to push the baby back up the canal, and the Dr made a vertical incision up my stomach and started opening me up. The anesthesiologist was frantically pushing morphine but I felt everything for a good 5 minutes
      I had had a epidural earlier so they gave me a spinal. They said they couldn’t put me out because I wouldn’t make it.

      They got my son out, I figured he was dead since he hadn’t had a heart beat at that point for almost 20 minutes. I remember asking the baby isn’t dead? When they showed him to me.
      I then had 7 hours of surgery with 4 surgeons as they tried to repair the damage. I was awake the entire time. I coded twice, I had to have 3 complete blood transfusions. They had ivs in my wrists, inner elbows and both feet, dumping blood into me.
      I remember at one point the surgeon saying he was sorry but he has to do a hysterectomy, there was too much damage. I told him it was ok, to do anything to save me because my older son, 10 at the time would be destroyed if I died.
      I was watching the clock, I remember asking if they were almost done yet,like a kid on a trip, and being told not yet.

      Afterwards the next day when 2 of the surgeon’s came to see me, they told me it took 10’s of thousands of stitches to repair the damage, my vaginal canal had torn badly and it had torn all into my abdomen.

      They told me it wasn’t that they didn’t know IF they could save me, but they didn’t see HOW they could save me.

      My birth was supposed to be low risk, I was having a vbac. Had I not been in a hospital we both would be dead.

      I’m a trained birth doula, from what I’ve researched after my experience, I would recommend doing a lot of research before deciding on a vbac.

  14. Kerfuffle says:

    Here’s the thing hat people don’t tell you about C Sections: they can be really unpleasant to heal from. They are absolutely life saving for many, many women (my own mother included) but don’t choose elective surgery out of fear. Your vagina will be fine after a natural birth. It’s doing what it’s meant to do. It hurts, but it’s fine.

    • Gigi La Moore says:

      And it’s SURGERY. My sister in law’s bladder was nicked. Needed even more surgery. Now has urinary issues.

    • Missy says:

      To each their own but I’d never pick surgery over vaginal birth if there was a choice. My sister and I had babies around the same time, her recovery from a section was much more difficult, longer and way more painful. I don’t want to sound like Giselle but I was literally making pancakes the next day lol. I was in the hospital being induced for a few days and the hospital food was shit, i was dying for good food when I got out so I made bacon pancakes.

      • Gigi La Moore says:

        I had vag, no stitches. I was walking around an hour after the birth. Not trying to make it a contest, but boy was I lucky. If I would have had more than one child I probably never would have had a delivery like that again. Didn’t miss a single beat.

    • SWP says:

      Gee thanks for the medical advice. I didn’t know we were on Web mD.

      Live and let live. This is the sanctimommy hell.

    • Ange says:

      So episiotomies and tears and prolapses don’t happen? Puhlease.

  15. Stepher says:

    Out of all the things to be outraged about right now, Gisele doesn’t even enter my radar. I’ve heard the stories she’s talking about in this book before, and to me she’s a harmless idiot.

  16. Amelie says:

    My friend who just gave birth last week was in labor for 28 hours before doctors finally did a C section to deliver her 10 lb 11 oz son. The picture she sent she looked absolutely exhausted. We all congratulated her for being such a warrior. So probably good in her situation she didn’t opt for a home birth. The worst part is she works for a non profit that doesn’t offer maternity leave so it’s technically “disability” before becoming unpaid leave. But with her C section I’m wondering if she’ll have to do unpaid leave for a little longer.

    Not everyone can have such an easy delivery or labor which is I think is very unfair but that’s the way it goes. My own mom was in labor for 6 hours with me and barely 4 hours with my sister who actually came about a month early.

  17. Jess says:

    I’m a to each your own type of gal, so I’m glad it worked out for her! My doctor tried to scare me into a section as well, im tall and thin and he said my hips couldn’t do vaginal, after talking with my labor and delivery nurse friends (who belly laughed at his reasoning) I told the doc I wanted to at least try, and sure enough I had no issues delivering vaginally. It pisses me off that so many doctors try to control labors like that, either with a c-section or inducing too soon and giving pitocin etc, I think it’s all about control and their fear. I went into labor naturally at home when my water broke, was at 6 cm when I made it to the hospital an hour later, and they still gave me loads of pitocin…which caused so much pain and my blood pressure to bottom out, I barely remember the next 8 hours and my daughter had to go directly to the nicu because of all the stress. There was no need for intervention there, other than the dr wanted to feel more in control. I know it’s necessary sometimes and I’m not bashing that, but I think a doula/midwife working together with a doctor is what works best for most women. I know better than I did 11 years ago with my daughter, and I know that I’m in charge of what goes in my body and I will stand up for myself if I ever have another baby!

    Sorry for the long rant, lol. I’m glad she’s speaking about her natural experience, even if she does come off Braggy about it, as usual, but it’s good for women to know they have options.

    • aang says:

      If tall thin woman couldn’t give birth there would be no tall thin people left in the world. We’d all have hips like a Kardashian, but they’d be real.

      • Kitty says:

        What medical school do these doctors go to right? You cant just look at a woman and say “nope..slim hips, you will need a c section”. The first doc i went to when i found out u was pregnant took a pap smear and “lost” it..twice….than told me i had a yeast infection(i didnt) and told me to start douching. What doctor recommends that anymore? Especially for a pregnant woman. I got a different doctor after that who confirmed no infection, and told me no woman needs to douche ever

      • Jess says:

        Lol! So true😄

      • Jess says:

        Kitty, Jesus what an experience. Yeah it’s not 1980 and women absolutely should not douche, what an idiot.

      • Aurelia says:

        Gad kitty, douching can cause infections when pregnant. Was he even a real doctor? Glad you had common sense.

  18. Nev says:

    nobody would even do the dishes or make pancakes for her THE DAY AFTER?? hahaha they are totally rich right? cmon.

  19. Fern says:

    don’t have a home birth. don’t have a home birth. don’t have a home birth.

    love,

    an obgyn who has seen dead babies, dying mothers, and severely crippled children from home births.

    • SWP says:

      Seconded. From someone whose sister now has a half paralyzed face, neurological damage and an inability to have a second child due to a “home birth”—gone wrong.

  20. Missy says:

    At four months pregnant, a fetus is roughly the size of a lemon. I don’t get why the doctor would tell her to schedule a c section, a lot happens during pregnancy, babies move around me what no. Sounds like she had a shitty Doctor

  21. Annabel says:

    My general approach to childbirth is “you do you”—I don’t judge friends who wanted to give birth naturally, and also I have zero regrets re: my elective C-section—but delivering at home *against medical advice* is really f*ing irresponsible. I see the appeal of giving birth in your living room, but if your doctor’s saying it’s a bad idea, maybe set your pre-conceived “perfect birth” notions to the side for a second and spare a passing thought for the well-being of your baby?

    Also, yeah, “I was up and washing dishes the next day” isn’t especially impressive, and doesn’t have anything to do with having given birth naturally. I was up the next day too.

    • Missy says:

      But if the doctor told you to schedule a c section at your four month checkup because your lemon sized fetus was in a weird position, would you do it? Either she didn’t give all the details or she had a shitty doctor

  22. Jessica says:

    I don’t like that doctors push for c sections so much, I would much prefer to give birth vaginally in a hospital. I’m very small hipped myself and when I’m pregnant I really hope a doctor will work with me.

    • AMA1977 says:

      The size of your hips (external) and the size of your pelvis have very little correlation. Unless a doctor has told you that you have an abnormally narrow pelvis, you’re probably okay. Also, typically, a fetus’s growth will be limited in part by the size of the mother’s birth canal/pelvis to allow for delivery. Of course, there are exceptions, especially as our gene pool diversifies, but generally speaking, the above is true. 😉

  23. TyrantDestroyed says:

    I know somebody that had 3 children home and drug free. During the birth of the second girl she experienced emergency problems that where handled by the midwives but was cautioned not to have a home birth again. Fast forward 3 years and she is in labor with her 3rd at home which ended up with her rushing to a hospital and being saved from bleeding out. Luckily it was her last.

    • aang says:

      I attended a home birth in a support position and the mother ended up bleeding severely. The midwives had a bag of whatever makes the uterus contract, popped in an IV and all was well. But as I held the baby under my shirt to keep him warm and watched his mother turn pale white as the sheets soaked with blood and the midwives rushed around her I thought I was holding an orphan. One of the scariest things I’ve ever been through.

  24. ShinyGrenade says:

    Wow! She was walking the next day? AMAZING.

    I was suppose to give birth at a Birthing Center, with my lovely midwife. Well, my lovely midwife had to check me in at the hospital, as contractions never started, and water have broke a while ago…. Epidural was given as was puking everywhere, but HAHAH it did not work on me. I ended up needed a emergency csection with general anesthesia, I nearly die, so did my child.
    And guess what? I was still walking 12 hours later!!!!

    I am so pissed off at people going about their natural birth. IT IS A FREACKING VAGINAL BIRTH.
    It is not my csection birth is fake. And you know what? CSECTIONS SAVE LIVES.

  25. Veronica S. says:

    I’m fine with women arguing for more control and autonomy over their pregnant bodies, but honestly, she should count herself very lucky. There is plenty that can go wrong very quickly in childbirth, even in seemingly healthy pregnancies. My mother had three natural births. She tore with the second one. My brother nearly died in the third one because the umbilical cord got wrapped around his neck, despite having no signs of distress in utero. There’s a reason why reproductive rights are such a big issue. It’s a “natural” body function that used to kill women (and infants) all the time and still does.

    The most ridiculous part of her statement, honestly, is the part about recovery. Like, girl, ain’t nobody buying you make your own pancakes. Come on now.

  26. Pandy says:

    Making pancakes and washing dishes, eh? I thought she didn’t eat flour? Well, she’s superwoman, so the rest of you Mommas better back the eff up!

  27. Jess says:

    I’ve had three vaginal births. Almost every mom I know has a story of a horrible birth where things went wrong, but they and their babies lived and thrived, because the doctors in the hospital saved them! In the 1800s we’d all be dead, including me – baby got stuck with cord around neck; my choices were emergency C section or episiotomy and yanking baby out. I chose the latter and – guess what? When Doc took out those industrial sized scissors to cut through my muscle wall I was sure glad I was in a hospital, with an epidural, and not in a bathtub somewhere! Nonsense.

  28. Shelley says:

    Do as you wish but I would never have a homebirth. Mainly because I knew someone whose baby died at the home birth of something that could have been easily fixed in a hospital. It was heartbreaking.

  29. TJ says:

    My friend was planning a home birth, but changed her mind at the last minute (not literally). Lucky she did so, cause she’d mostly bled out and died at home (her test results were fine and no-one was anticipating any complications, but they happened). People need to stop promoting this doula crap, it can cost you (or your baby) life

  30. Jaded says:

    God this woman is insufferable. Go away and STFU.

  31. My3cents says:

    We seem to take a healthy delivery for mothers and babies for granted, but please remember that only about a century ago death during childbirth was not that uncommon.
    Don’t kill me here but all this talk of home birth sort of reminds me of the anti vaccination movement- we take our health being for granted because of medical advances and then seem to think we don’t need them anymore.

    • Nancy says:

      I agree with you. Actually, we take everything for granted. I wouldn’t be one bit surprised if she were an anti vaccination mother. I’m not saying she is, idk, but she makes it sound like she’s an old hippie instead of a multi-millionaire. Between her and the Kardashians, Teigen….seems they want to feel good about themselves and tell the townspeople how it should be done. No thank you. My kids are cuter and I’m sure brighter than theirs!! 😜

    • SWP says:

      Sooo true. My 3 cents. One in four women in 1900 died in childbirth.

      As I said upthread, my sisters life was partially ruined from a botched home birth. It’s the equivalent of not wearing a seat belt and claiming you don’t need them. Until it’s too late

      • Nancy says:

        One in four women died in childbirth in 1900. Shit. Now that is the statistic of women getting breast cancer. We’ve come a long way baby. How sad. I understand, being pregnant, why some women would want to be out of the sterile, hospital environment. Conversely, that is what makes me feel safe, the sterile hospital environment. I have friends who have home birthed and are happy they did. They were lucky. There is always going to a situation where hospital apparatus is needed, and not in the safe nest of your home. Too many posts, off to make dinner for my hospital born children!!

  32. Aurelia says:

    Yes, Giselle, so ‘natural’. She smokes like a bloody chimney.

  33. SWP says:

    So is plastic surgery the same as elective c section, risk wise?
    Gross. I’m so offended and grossed out.

  34. Candyn says:

    My water broke at10pm and I gave birth 3 hours later ,8 minutes push and I had only 1 hour painful contraction , everything went easily as I thought I could have 4 more babies if the labour will be so smooth like my first, my doctor and the nurses took care of me so well ,if I could go back in time, I would still choose the hospital, I respect individual choices but I will always follow medical advices .

  35. Mays says:

    I’m not surprised about her bragging about her natural births. My mother brags about her 7 natural births till this day. I’m her baby and I’m 25. It’s just what women do but she didn’t say I did this and so should you. So I don’t see what’s the big deal

  36. Meg says:

    in my opinion people blatantly disregarding the advice of trained educated qualified medical professionals and bragging about it, much like what people who insists against vaccines for their kids do, is a need for superiority feeling smarter than they are or better than the medical professional-narcissism in other words. I have a roommate whose brother in law is the same way, always competing against a relative who is a college professor so he feels threatened and belittles his career whenever he’s out of ear shot and has constant arguments with him on subjects having to do with his career. he feels insecure and always having to justify himself. Gisele and tom have had so much success in their careers they have had ‘smoke blown up their asses’ so they tend to think they’re that amazing at everything, not just modeling and football so they don’t’ take advice from experts in fields they have no expertise in.

  37. Blackbetty says:

    Is there anything Gisele won’t brag about? Can’t stand her!

  38. Nilo says:

    She’s so pretentious, it’s horrible. Good for her that everything went well, but a bit irresponsible to do this against her doctor’s wishes, methinks.
    I wanted a home birth for my second daughter and my very experienced midwife was all for it but my husband wasn’t and in the end it was the right decision – daughter no. 1 got the flu and was very poorly so my Mum had to come and care for her; I went into labour at home, arrived at the hospital at 8 am, had my baby at 9 am and went back home again at 1 pm the same day to be able to care for my sick child. No pancakes, sorry. (But sushi to celebrate!)

  39. Ash says:

    They don’t even eat pancakes. Supposedly in her book she says they eat vegetables mostly. Even the kids. Full of it. Remember Tom won’t even eat a strawberry!

  40. Sera says:

    I don’t care what she did about the birth but I have serious doubts she was A. Doing her own cooking and B. That she would eat a sugar and carb filled pancake.

  41. LeiDub says:

    I don’t know where all this trust in doctors comes from. My OB-GYN screwed me when I was pregnant with my first and didn’t know better, almost had to have a C-section because of her. Doctors and hospitals see you as a walking dollar sign when you’re there to give birth. Thankfully I found a midwife I could trust with my other pregnancies. As soon as a doctor tells you you’re going to need a C-section, especially when you’re only 4 months pregnant, RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN TO ANOTHER MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.