Sharing Her Childbirth Story: Dambi's Bravery or Overshare?
Korean singer and actress Son Dambi recently made headlines by sharing an intimate and emotional experience—her journey through IVF and a high-risk pregnancy—on the TV Chosun reality show “My Baby Was Born”. The episode chronicled her struggle with placenta previa (a condition where the placenta blocks the cervical opening) and eventual delivery via C-section. Her story wasn't just personal; it carried social weight, drawing attention to motherhood in today's low-birthrate generation.
In a time when fertility and childbirth are often treated as private, even taboo, topics—especially in East Asian cultures—Son’s decision to publicly reveal her journey feels bold, transparent, and arguably necessary. But that openness also sparked a fierce debate online and in parenting circles: is public childbirth storytelling a powerful step toward empathy or a dangerous move into oversharing?
The Upside: Hope in the Face of Hardship
Son Dambi’s choice to go public with such an intimate experience resonated with many expecting mothers and women trying to conceive. For those navigating IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), high-risk pregnancies, or later-age childbirth, her story was more than good television — it was a beacon of hope.
In an age of medical miracles and fertility struggles, honesty matters. Her openness helped normalize the often painful and uncertain steps of IVF, a process still stigmatized in parts of the world. In fact, globally, celebrities and influencers who have shared similar stories — from Chrissy Teigen to Amy Schumer — have received praise for demystifying infertility and offering camaraderie (a sense of not being alone) to others in similar situations.
Son’s candidness also brought placenta previa—a condition rarely discussed—into public knowledge, potentially saving lives just by raising awareness. Her portrayal emphasized caution, resilience, and the reality of maternal healthcare decisions.
Beyond that, in Korea where the birthrate is among the lowest globally, public conversations around childbirth may even nudge social and political discourse toward better resources for expecting families.
The Flip Side: Privacy, Exploitation, and Ethical Dilemmas
But the public wasn't unanimously supportive. Some viewers raised serious concerns about the “broadcast-ization” of childbirth. Was such a deeply personal moment appropriate for television? And what about the child’s right to privacy?
One argument centered on consent: the newborn can’t agree to being filmed. While the footage was not graphic, critics argue that normalizing birth content might open the door for future parents to use real-life labor as a spectacle—trading intimacy for attention.
Others questioned commercial motivations. When the line between documentary and reality entertainment blurs, there's a risk of diminishing childbirth into content — something to be consumed rather than respected. If networks chase higher ratings by airing pregnancy dramas or delivery-room footage, it could trivialize the emotional and physical toll of giving birth.
There's also a medical concern. Complex procedures like IVF and diagnoses such as placenta previa need context. In a fast-paced primetime show, these topics might be oversimplified or misunderstood, potentially spreading misinformation.
The Cultural Shift: From Sacred to Shared
Traditionally, childbirth has been considered sacred or even secretive. In Western and Eastern societies alike, it remained within the home or at the hospital — unseen, untold to the public. But digital culture has changed everything.
Today, being open online—or on camera—is the default. Millennials and Gen Zers post pregnancy updates on Instagram, vlog their contractions on YouTube, and yes, even live-stream birth stories. For better or worse, that’s the new maternal narrative, and Son’s story fits into that evolving culture.
In this light, some see her act not as exploitation, but as a raw, necessary update to how we experience and honor motherhood in an increasingly media-driven world.
The Ethical Core: Balancing Empathy and Boundaries
Even those supportive of Son’s decision say what matters most is how these stories are told. Messaging should be educational and empathetic—not promotional. Producers and creators need ethical guidelines for medical storytelling, especially when it involves children or life-altering procedures.
Ethicists and child rights advocates suggest that any birth-related content should prioritize long-term consent, protect the child’s identity, and avoid dramatization. As much as an honest story can empower, it can also expose those too young to understand what’s shared about them.
Meanwhile, medical professionals caution that if viewers misinterpret vital health topics (like high-risk pregnancies), they might make misguided healthcare choices. Shows should integrate expert voices to correct myths and validate facts.
A Middle Ground: Sharing With Care
Son Dambi's story stirred both praise and concern. In many ways, it marked progress—a brave conversation starter in an era desperate for real talk about family, health, and womanhood. But her story also shows that empathy needs boundaries.
As more media takes on childbirth as a subject, the industry must be intentional. It’s not about silencing such stories, but shaping how they’re told responsibly. By blending human warmth, medical accuracy, and ethical caution, creators can elevate—not exploit—a universal experience.
Ultimately, birth is personal. How we tell these stories in public should reflect that truth, honoring both individual voices and the future generation those stories bring into the world.
