A new mum angered by people suggesting women who deliver their babies via caesarean section have not "given birth" has challenged that misconception by sharing a photograph of her scar.
"Can we please just stop!" Jodie Shaw wrote when sharing her photo and story on the Birth Without Fear Facebook page.
"I obviously can't change people's views but I've decided to post this picture to see if it may make people understand that despite what our birth plans might say. Sometimes we don't get a choice. I didn't get a choice."
Jodie explained how a large fibroid on her cervix coupled with a low lying placenta meant she had no option except to have a caesarean section to deliver her baby.
"I've been left with no ordinary c-section scar. But whether you believe this or not, I gave birth to my baby," she wrote.
"So next time you judge someone for not doing what you consider to be 'giving birth' please take a minute to think about why they may have had to deliver that way. Think about the fact that given the choice they probably wouldn't of chosen this but had no choice."
Jodie's raw and honest post was welcomed by hundreds of women who either have had a caesarean section delivery themselves or empathised with her point of view.
The post on the US-based page has been shared more than 880 times, received 4600 likes and attracted more than 770 comments.
"Your scar is beautiful!! I have had 2 natural births and 1 caesarean, without my caesarean my baby wouldn't be here now as she was in distress and every contraction her heart beat disappeared!! You give birth by gaining a life in yours doesn't matter which way," wrote one fellow c-section mum.
"C-section is definitely not the easy way out. Why would you choose to have a major operation, be practically out of action for 6 weeks & not able to able to care for your new baby without help? However, if it's the only way ... so be it & hats off to all those who have to endure it," said another.
One woman who was born via caesarean section herself also posted a supportive message.
"I was a c-section baby and definitely consider myself to have been 'born' which is surely what happens when a mum gives birth... Some people need to get a grip!!"