Richa Chadha is hitting back at trolls who took issue with her use of the phrase "natural birth" in a recent Instagram post celebrating her daughter Zuneyra's first birthday. The actress, married to actor Ali Fazal, initially shared a heartfelt video montage documenting her journey through pregnancy and motherhood. The post included the caption, "For bringing so much colour into all our lives! A year ago I gave birth to a healthy baby girl at Breach Candy Hospital. Labour lasted a few hours, delivery only about 20 minutes, natural birth! Life hasn't been the same since, particularly me… I feel rearranged from the insides out… my brain, my heart, my body, my soul. Zuneyra was born a year ago and so was I. Reborn as a mom. An entirely new being, than what existed before".
While many fans and fellow celebrities flooded the post with warm wishes, some commenters took offense to Richa's description of her delivery as a "natural birth". One comment read, "Every birth is natural, thanks to science nowadays they're being assisted to help the Mom and the kid".
Richa was quick to respond, initially stating, "If I said normal delivery, you'd have said the same thing". When the user suggested she should have used the term "vaginal delivery" instead, Richa didn't hold back. In a now-deleted comment, she retorted, "But what if I don't wanna say vaginally delivery, it is my page and also my vagina and my baby. And feminism taught me to use words of my choosing. So".
The actress's strong response highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the language used to describe childbirth and the pressures mothers face to conform to certain ideals. Her assertion of bodily autonomy and the right to choose her own words resonated with many, while also sparking further discussion about inclusivity and the varying experiences of childbirth. Despite some criticism, numerous fans praised Richa for her honesty and vulnerability in sharing her personal journey.