Social Media and the idea of an Ideal Birth

Social media places an enormous amount of pressure on parents during pregnancy and it never lets up. It is relentless and pervasive and is forever telling us that we are not good enough, we do not do enough, and we will never be enough, and it is consuming us all. When I hear women say “I am so disappointed in myself for needing an epidural” or “I feel like I have failed because I needed a c-section” it absolutely breaks my heart. To look into the tear-filled eyes of a person who has been brave and vulnerable, and so very strong, and know that they feel inadequate because of this pressure, is not ok.