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Actor Suniel Shetty has sparked a heated debate on social media with a comment about his daughter Athiya Shetty’s decision to opt for a natural birth.
Speaking to News18 about Athiya’s “strength” during childbirth, the proud grandfather said, “In a world where everybody wants the comfort of having a caesarean baby, she chose not to do that and had a natural delivery.”
Shetty added, “I remember how every nurse and paediatrician in the hospital said that it’s unbelievable how she went through the whole process. That hit me as a father. I was like, ‘Wow, she’s ready!’ Athiya was very, very strong to do that.”
The internet, however, has been quick to push back.
While many are praising Athiya’s choice and her father’s pride, others pointed out the problematic framing — suggesting that a caesarean birth is somehow the “lesser” option. Critics have been vocal about the need to recognise that all births are courageous, regardless of the method.
To contextualise this conversation, we turned to Dr Chetna Jain, Director of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Sector 14, Gurgaon.
“Normal delivery is often considered the gold standard for childbirth — and rightfully so,” Dr Jain notes. “It’s a natural process that allows quicker recovery, early bonding, and fewer long-term complications for both mother and baby. Wherever possible, doctors and expectant mothers should be encouraged and supported to aim for a normal delivery.”
However, she is quick to balance that perspective. “It’s equally important to acknowledge that not all pregnancies follow a textbook path. Certain medical conditions — such as fetal distress, placenta previa, breech presentation, or previous uterine surgeries — make vaginal birth unsafe. In such cases, a caesarean section is not a failure, but a life-saving intervention.”
According to Dr Jain, framing one method as inherently “braver” or “stronger” can unintentionally shame mothers who undergo C-sections due to medical necessity — or even preference.
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“While we advocate for and work toward normal delivery as the ideal,” she explains, “we must also honour the reality that the ultimate goal is a safe mother and a healthy baby. No woman should feel judged for the way she gives birth. Every birth is valid. Every mother is brave. And every delivery — normal or surgical — is a story of strength.”
C-Section vs normal delivery: What’s the difference?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to childbirth. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Normal delivery (Vaginal birth):
– Faster recovery
– Lower risk of infection
– Shorter hospital stay
– Natural immune and lung benefits for baby
– Possible tearing or pelvic floor issues
– Longer labour, though pain relief is available
Caesarean (C-section):
– Life-saving when medically necessary (e.g., fetal distress, breech, placenta previa)
– Avoids prolonged labor or difficult delivery
– Major surgery with longer recovery
– Higher risk of infections, blood loss
– Possible future pregnancy complications
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In the end, the most empowering message we can send to new and expectant mothers is this, according to Dr Jain: “There is no such thing as an ‘easy’ birth — only a safe one. Every birth — whether surgical or vaginal — is an act of immense strength. Both require courage. Both deserve respect.”
As the conversation around childbirth becomes more public and more personal, it’s time we move away from binary labels of “natural” vs “surgical” and towards a broader understanding: All births are valid.
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