Veteran actor Sunil Shetty recently made headlines after expressing pride that his daughter, Athiya Shetty, delivered her baby through normal delivery.
While celebrating the birth of his grandchild, Sunil remarked that he was especially proud because it wasn’t a C-section, which he described as less painful.
The comment, though likely made with no ill intent, did not sit well with many including actress Gauahar Khan. A mother to a young son and currently expecting her second child, Gauahar took to social media to express her disappointment.
She firmly stated that no form of childbirth is less or easier than the other. Let’s not glorify one over the other, she wrote. C-sections are often medically necessary and involve equal strength, pain, and courage.
Her post sparked a wave of support from mothers and women across platforms, who shared their own delivery experiences from complicated C-sections to long natural labors. Many appreciated Gauahar for standing up and correcting the narrative, reminding people that motherhood isn’t a competition.
The incident has opened a broader conversation about childbirth stigma. While Sunil Shetty may have spoken with pride as a father, the public reaction shows the need for more awareness and sensitivity in how we discuss such topics.
Every birth is unique, and every mother regardless of how she brings life into the world deserves equal respect, love, and admiration. After all, what truly matters is a healthy mother and baby.
