By Victoria Wellman
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Miranda Kerr's recent suggestion that epidurals negatively impact a baby at birth have caused a backlash from mothers and parenting websites.
The Victoria's Secret model and wife of Orlando Bloom told Harper's Bazaar UK that she opted for a natural birth because she didn't want her son, Flynn to be 'drugged up'.
But what was most likely intended as a loving dedication to her son, has stirred controversy among those who see the medically flimsy argument as a dig at mothers who have chosen pain relief during labour.
Happy and alert: Miranda Kerr has revealed how her choice to forgo an epidural was motivated by her belief that her baby would be 'drugged up' at birth
Adding to the furor was Kerr's flippant assertion that she 'wanted to give him the best possible start in life I could.'
One commenter on MailOnline griped: 'What a stupid thing to say. Firstly it's factually incorrect and also it's really insensitive. Some people have no choice but to go down the epidural route.'
Another reader compared the statement to Gisele Bundchen's famous quote about breastfeeding, a parallel that was also drawn by popular parenting blog, Cafe Mom.
'Seriously, what is it with these models? Are she and Gisele comparing notes or something?' Wrote mother, Mary Fischer in a 'Rant' post. 'I was in labor with my son for 24 hours, and I actually wound up having an epidural and a spinal block to manage my pain.
'And you know what? When my little guy made his entrance into the world, he was about as alert as newborn babies can possibly get.
'Even the nurses were all commenting on how "present" he seemed in the moment.'
Christine Proudfit, MD, Assistant Professor of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NYU Langone Medical Center backed up the sentiment.
'Seriously, what is it with these models? Are she and Gisele comparing notes or something?'
She told MailOnline: 'The wonderful thing about an epidural is that because it works by directly bathing the nerves of the spinal cord with anesthetic medication it can provide excellent pain relief for a laboring mother without any medication getting into the bloodstream of her baby.'
Highlighting Kerr's inaccuracies she continued: 'Careful studies have shown no effects of epidurals on babies soon after birth or in the long-term, and such safety concerns should not be used as a reason to not get an epidural.'
However, other pharmacalogic pain relief methods such as narcotics, she continued, can have an immediate impact on a baby's breathing efforts when given intravenously.Â
She told MailOnline: 'Labor is possibly the most intense and potentially empowering event in the woman's life. It is because of this that every woman must choose the type of labor that is right for them based on their own research and self knowledge.
Giddy up! The 29-year-old's comments have angered mothers and critics
'Epidurals do have side effects but mostly on the mother herself, not the baby. Narcotics such as Demerol (frequently given in labor) have a much stronger effect.'
Either way, said Ms Fischer, 'pregnant women should respect each other for their individual choices when it comes to childbirth instead of tearing each other down and trying to make each other feel inferior.
'It's all well and good that Miranda wanted to go the natural route when she had her son, but choosing to forgo an epidural doesn't make her any sort of martyr, and it doesn't make her any better than moms who decide having an epidural is the best plan for them.'
In fact, according to AmericanPregnancy.org, 50per cent of women who give birth at hospitals opt for the epidural, the goal of which is to 'provide analgesia, or pain relief, rather than anesthesia which leads to total lack of feeling.'
The most glaring advantages of doing so is to give a mother a chance to rest and recuperate from a long labour and stay positive and focussed on the birth itself.
As another MailOnline reader pointed out: 'If the mum gets stressed, so does the baby and it can have serious implications!'
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She really is just so full of herself.
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He has an extremely cute wee chubby face which I think are theee sweetest, and shame on anyone saying otherwise.!!
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Dudettes, if you made the choice to take the epidural, you made a choice that was right for you and if someone else disagrees, I guess you have to take that. Epidurals were not available where I live when I had my kids, but I was a hippy and wanted all natural. And I am proud of that; I try not to judge others, but hey -- thalidomide anyone? I kind of think natural things should be done naturally -- and that includes labour and delivery and breastfeeding. But you can choose your own; just don't come down on those who made different choices and feel proud. Your defensiveness comes across as guilt. But you need to accept that taking any kind of drugs during pregnancy, labour, delivery, and whilst breastfeeding will indeed have a negative impact on your baby. Deal with it.
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For those of us who labour for 48hrs or more without giving birth due to various factors, the epidural is a life saver. I can categorically state that I would have gone insane from the never ending pain without it. Miranda was very lucky to have a straightforward delivery without complications. She has no idea how birth is for those with narrow pelvis' , huge babies, babies presenting in the wrong position etc. I am sure she wouldn't have said what she did if she had more experience. No point getting upset with her, she is a model ,she is not paid for her opinion!
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Has this woman EVER said anything intelligent? She should seriously just shut up and look pretty
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I recall reading those three reader comments today, and am happy DM has presented this side of the issue. It's a pity we have to be the ones to add fact and reasoning to some celebrity opinions, but the majority of posters seemed willing and able to give Miranda Kerr valuable information. I can think of few times in a woman's life that are as intimate and personal as labour and childbirth. Within reason, (it's my humble opinion) that her decision should be just that: Her decision, guided by her own instinct on what is right or wrong for her child, and herself.
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ummm I bet she has about size nine feet hence wider pelvis hence easier childbirth. fact!!!!
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Miranda is actually a very nice woman. I don't think she made it as a dig to anyone, she just wanted a 100% natural birth. Leave her alone.
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It was pretty obvious in the original interview that she was talking for herself, and not making recommendations....
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Gorgeous looking but thick as two planks
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