‘No Uterus, No Opinion’: Suniel Shetty Slammed for Natural Birth Comment
Actor Suniel Shetty has found himself at the center of a heated public debate after comments he made praising his daughter Athiya Shetty’s choice to undergo a natural childbirth. The statement, which appeared in a recent interview with News18, drew sharp criticism for what many called a dismissive view of caesarean sections and the complexities of childbirth.
“In a world where everybody wants the comfort of having a caesarean baby, she chose not to do that and had a natural delivery,” Suniel Shetty said, lauding his daughter’s strength during labor.
Respect All Births: Backlash Follows Suniel Shetty’s Comment on Athiya’s Delivery
While intended as a compliment, the remark quickly sparked backlash on social media. Critics, including healthcare professionals and women’s rights advocates, took issue with the implication that C-sections are chosen for “comfort” and that vaginal birth is somehow a more courageous or superior option.
“Only a man would have the audacity to describe a C-section as ‘comfortable,’” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter), echoing a sentiment shared by many online. Another wrote, “No uterus, no opinion.”
Medical experts also stepped in to clarify that both vaginal deliveries and caesarean sections involve significant challenges. “There is no such thing as an ‘easy’ birth,” said Dr. Neha Malhotra, a Delhi-based gynecologist. “Every delivery—whether vaginal or surgical—comes with physical, emotional, and sometimes life-threatening complexities. The best method is the one that ensures the safety of the mother and child.”
Caesarean sections, though sometimes scheduled for convenience, are often medically necessary due to complications such as fetal distress, prolonged labor, or risk to the mother’s health. Critics argue that framing them as the “easy way out” not only trivializes those medical realities but also shames women who do not have the option of a vaginal birth.
The controversy has reignited broader discussions about the stigma surrounding childbirth choices and the societal pressure placed on women to deliver in a certain way.