The mom in this photo was terrified of having a c-section. But after a complicated labor, she needed to have one anyway. This is her way of commemorating her triumph.
The photo is also a feat for photographer Helen Aller of Helen Carmina Photography.
“My images usually get seen by 100 people at most, so I never thought it would reach anywhere near what it has done,” Aller wrote on Facebook, where she uploaded the photo on August 11. The striking image currently has over 200,000 likes and nearly 62,000 shares.
“I photographed this mama’s pregnancy a while back and she was telling me how terrified she was of having a c-section,” Aller writes. “Well last week she went into labor but had to have an emergency c-section after complications. She asked me to come over this morning and shoot this particular image as her worst nightmare proved to be what saved her and her child’s lives.”
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with women sharing their own c-section stories in the comments. Naturally, the photo has been reported, but Facebook hasn’t taken it down.
For anyone offended by the image? Aller understands. And her recommendation is to look away.
“I understand everyone has their own opinion which they are entitled to, all I ask is that comments are not rude or hurtful and are kept respectful. If it is not to your taste please hide it from your newsfeed. Thank you!!”
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