This image of baby next to mum's C-sec wound will stun you - Hindustan Times
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This image of baby next to mum's C-sec wound will stun you

Hindustan Times | By, New Delhi
Aug 19, 2015 09:36 PM IST

When photographer Helen Carmina posted an image of a three-day-old baby resting his head on the mother's pubic bone, she had no idea that the picture will go viral. The picture has been seen by 11 million people and has led to varied reactions.

For all those women who have had to face the stigma attached with Caesarean-Section, this picture will come as something of an affirmation. For others, it is a powerful reminder that facing your fears is a big part of motherhood.

When UK photographer Helen Carmina posted this image of a newborn snuggling against the mother, she had no idea that the picture will go viral and get thousands of responses from across the world. Look at the entire picture and you will see the reason -- the baby's head is resting on mum's pubic bone. And right over it is the C-sec wound, just large enough for the infant's head.

EDIT: I didn't expect this image to reach so far. I understand everyone has their own opinion which they are entitled...

Posted by Helen Carmina Photography on Tuesday, 11 August 2015

As it is just three days old, it cannot be termed a scar. Carmina posted on Facebook, "I photographed this mama's pregnancy a couple of weeks back and she was telling me how terrified she was of having a C-section. Well over the weekend she went into labour but had to have an emergency C-section after losing a lot of blood. 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 son's lives."

Carmina said in an interview to Huffington Post, "She had to have an emergency C-section. She asked me to go over and shoot this particular image to show that her biggest fear ended up saving both their lives."

Since being uploaded on August 11, the picture has got 2.1 lakh, 62,000 shares and over 34,000 comments. The photo has been seen by over 10 million people. While many have applauded the powerful image, others have called it distasteful and demanded Facebook remove the image. Thankfully, the social media giant paid no heed to the demand.

Reacting to some of the comments, Carmina wrote, "So usually images I post are seen by roughly 100 people. The image I posted last night has reached over half a million people worldwide. It's had so much amazing feedback coupled with a fair bit of negativity but as they say Art is subjective. It's wonderful to read all the amazing stories people have posted because of it. But it has left me wondering how on earth the Renaissance painters got away with painting nudes all those centuries ago when this image is causing so much controversy in this day and age?!"

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In the interview, the photographer added that she had got a lot of positive responses from women who had to undergo C-sec surgeries. "I have received so so many stories from c-section mums saying how it has changed the way they look at their scars. I can't believe the amount of women that are ashamed of their scars and are made to feel like they haven't done the job properly because they didn't give birth naturally. I feel proud that an image I created has allowed so many people to open up about their experiences."

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