Millie Mackintosh has shared precious snaps from the day her children were born as she candidly discussed her C-section experience.
The former Made In Chelsea star, 33, shares daughters, Sienna, two, and Aurelia, 17 months, with husband Hugo Taylor.
In an instant, the loving parents rocked their newborn baby while they lay in a hospital bed.
In another image posted to the reality star’s Instagram, Millie was seen smiling as she held her growing baby bump.
She told her 1.4 million followers, “April is Cesarean Awareness Month, a time that holds a special place in my heart. I had cesarean sections with both my girls, Sienna was in a breech position, so that was the safest way to be born.’
Sweet: Millie Mackintosh has shared precious throwback snaps from the day her kids were born as she candidly discussed her C-section experience
Candid: An image posted to Instagram of the reality star showed Millie smiling as she held her growing baby bump
“I really enjoyed the experience, so I chose to have another one with Aurelia — we even chose to drop the curtain and watch her give birth!”
“I feel so lucky to have had such positive birth experiences, but I often speak to women who are told they need a C-section and they are scared, upset and feel that the birth they wanted is theirs stolen.’
Millie continued: ‘I feel very strongly that the narrative around caesarean sections needs to change, they are almost seen as the ‘easy’ way out, or sometimes an inferior way to deliver.
“I like to call it a belly birth because you’re still delivering your baby, a lot of times people call a vaginal birth ‘natural’, which makes a belly birth sound like it’s the opposite. It is of course very different in every situation, sometimes an emergency c-section is unavoidable so I can only speak from my own experience.
“I’ll be telling my birth stories to anyone who will listen because I think we need to start sharing more positive C-section stories – both of my deliveries were incredible! Of course I always support the individual’s choice and doing what is right for him or her.
She concluded by saying, “Birth and motherhood are certainly unpredictable, but arming yourself with as much knowledge as possible can only be a good thing!”
It comes after Millie revealed she felt a “loss of identity” after becoming a mother in 2020.
In a new interview with OK!she shared that after giving birth, she struggled with fashion and had her own identity — but has found her mojo again.
She told her 1.4 million followers, “April is Caesarean Awareness Month, a time that holds a special place in my heart.”
She concluded by saying, “Birth and motherhood are certainly unpredictable, but arming yourself with as much knowledge as possible can only be a good thing!”
Adorable: The doting parents shared a sweet photo of Aurelia in the hospital the day she was born
Millie has recently turned to a healthier lifestyle and is also celebrating seven months sober after quitting alcohol.
She previously shared that the decision to sober up came because alcohol is a “trigger” for her anxiety.
Millie spoke to the magazine about her new venture with fashion brand Paolita, and also talked about the journey with her own style.
She explained how motherhood affected this, telling OK!, “I definitely felt a loss of identity after having kids.
“The best advice I can give is don’t feel pressured to be guided by trends, because they don’t last. For me personally, color is like therapy. It makes me feel good and I love the transformational therapy of clothing.”
The birth of eldest child Sienna during the lockdown sparked a spiral of post-natal depression for Millie – and she now shares that the loss of identity came along with it.
Millie previously admitted the birth was “disheartening” but was also forced to give birth solo, without husband Hugo by her side – due to pandemic restrictions.
Millie also spoke about her recent lifestyle overhaul, giving up alcohol, sharing, “I’ve been alcohol free for seven months and I’m really focusing on my gut health.”
“After I had children, I kept getting sick. I would be knocked down by something, recover for about a week, and then be knocked down by something else
After a “breakthrough” in therapy, Millie made a connection between her mental health and drinking last year – she decided to give up the latter.
The TV personality shared the decision via Instagram when she was three months sober, explaining that she’s “felt her best” since giving up.
She explained, “I had a breakthrough in therapy and decided to stop drinking alcohol, I didn’t want to admit it, but it’s a huge trigger for my anxiety.
Family: The former Made In Chelsea star, 33, shares daughters, Sienna, two, and Aurelia, 17 months, with husband Hugo Taylor
Giving up booze: After a ‘breakthrough’ in therapy, Millie linked her mental health to drinking last year – she decided to give up the latter
“It’s directly having a negative effect on my mental health and right now I’m focused on feeling my best, finding happiness in my life and not trying to escape it,” she wrote.
Continued: ‘It’s been 12 weeks now and I’m enjoying the sober life, don’t miss the ‘rest’, feel more energized, my skin looks great and I’m sleeping much better.
Millie went on to share that she may start drinking again in the future, before asking if any of her followers have done the same.
“I’m not saying I’ll never drink alcohol again, I’m just saying that now, I won’t and I want to continue. Did someone else ditch the booze? How do you like it? I’d like to hear from more down-to-earth curious people.’