Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Don’t be such a pain
Proud dad Harry Kane hits back at birth tweet critics
HARRY Kane was forced to explain after he was criticised over a loving tribute to fiancee Kate Goodland, who gave birth without pain relief.
The England captain, 25, sought to calm detractors who accused him of bragging about her decision to shun drugs for hypnobirthing.
He insisted yesterday: “Let’s get one thing straight, any women can give birth however they would like. I’m very proud of my fiancee for doing it the way she wanted and we both learnt a lot from hypnobirthing.”
It came after the Tottenham striker – also dad to one-year-old Ivy – faced a backlash after sharing a snap of himself with Kate and baby Vivienne on Wednesday. Welcoming the “beautiful addition to the family”, he told his followers on Twitter and Instagram: “So proud of @Kategoodlandx for having the most amazing water birth with no pain relief at all.”
Broadcaster Julia Hartley-brewer led criticism, saying: “I’m delighted for @Hkane and his family but why on earth should anyone be ‘proud’ of not having pain relief while giving birth?
“Utterly absurd! There’s a reason why women get pain relief during labour: because it bloody hurts.”
But others backed Harry. Kendall Dootson said: “I needed pain relief but I’m not threatened by someone who didn’t.
“I am happy for you, no insult was intended or taken. Why can’t people see a good news story and be happy for it?”
Mandy Forrester of the Royal College of Midwives said: “What is important is that the woman makes her choice armed with the information she needs. Midwives, doctors and the maternity team will be there to advise her.” Hypnobirthing is a pain management method involving visualisation, relaxation and breathing techniques.