MEGAN McKenna has been forced to hit back after she was mum-shamed over her “natural” birthing plan.

As reality star prepares to welcome her first child with her fiance footballer fiance Oliver Burke, 27, she opened up about her ideal birthing plan.

3

Megan McKenna defended her natural birthing planCredit: Instagram

3

The reality star said it was her ‘preference’ but was keeping an ‘open mind’Credit: Instagram
Megan, 31, shared a photo of her growing baby bump in a black bikini while holidaying in Dubai.

The former Towie star said she is hoped for a natural birth and was not convinced on having an epidural.

She captioned the post: “Just hanging around being pregnant AF.
I’ve made my list of things I need to get….

“What’s the best cot? Best feeding chair? Best nappy bin? There’s so many to choose. Also as I’m doing my research I defo want an all natural birth.

“Can’t believe I’m saying that… but I’m not keen on the epidural.

“Gas & air will have to be the way forward (I know this may not be the way but this is what I would love…).”

But some followers were quick to tell the star to not knock it, which prompted Megan to reply “just my preference”.

One fan commented: “Having done both epidural and gas and air only… take the epidural. You’ve never known pain like it and you can’t even begin to imagine.”

A second shared: “Best advice I could ever give an expecting mother is keep an open mind of your labour. Although it’s an amazing though to have a natural birth. Not everyone has that privilege. And the more open minded you are the less disappointed you could be.”

A third said: “There’s absolutely NO heroes in birth… if you need the pain relief then have it! The outcome at the end is exactly the same!”

“Don’t bother with a birthing plan as what will be will be, what you think now won’t be the same when your in labour,” another added.

Megan explained that she was still undecided but had her preference.

She commented: “Completely agree, I’m very open minded but this is what I would love to happen to me.”

Megan added: “Whatever gets our baby out safe of course but a natural is what I am aiming for.”

What is an epidural?

An epidural is an injection in your back to stop you feeling pain in part of your body. Epidurals can be used:during labour and childbirth, including caesareans.

The NHS details exactly how an epidural is given:

A drip will be placed in your arm so you can be given fluids while you’re having the epidural.
You’ll be asked to sit down and lean forwards, or lie on your side with your knees drawn up.
You’ll be given an injection of local anaesthetic to numb the skin where the epidural is to be inserted.
A needle is used to insert a fine plastic tube called an epidural catheter between the bones of your back.
The needle is then removed, leaving just the catheter in your back.
You may feel mild discomfort when the epidural needle is positioned and the catheter is inserted.

It comes after some cruel trolls recently slammed her portion sizes in brutal comments online.

Others told how her “death row meal” would make them “heave.”

FAN FEAR

Additionally, while on her babymoon, some fans wrongly flagged concern when she tucked into a prawn dish.

They deemed the food “unsafe” for the star – who is expecting her first baby.

Megan held a prawn to the camera before munching it down in a snap which saw one fan write in the comments section: “Don’t they day not to eat seafood when pregnant ie prawns etc.”

Another mused: “Not really meant to eat any kind of fish food or eggs.”

The NHS website states that expectant mums can eat cooked fish and seafood, so Megan was doing the right thing.

The website adds: “You should avoid raw shellfish because they can have harmful bacteria, viruses or toxins in them. These can make you unwell and give you food poisoning.

“You should avoid ready-to-eat cold-smoked or cured fish because it could be contaminated with listeria bacteria.”

TOUGH TIMES

Megan has also suffered from bouts of ill health during her first maternity journey.

In her new video, she opened up on her sleep insomnia.

The TV star asked followers: “Anybody else get sleep insomnia when pregnant, because I am really suffering from it.”

Meanwhile, she sadly suffered a second allergic reaction in two weeks earlier this month.

Megan also suffered another allergic reaction which saw her stomach also double in size.

The country singer was also left bedridden as she admitted she was “in so much pain.”

Risks and side effects of an epidural

Low blood pressure, which can make you feel lightheaded or nauseous
Temporary loss of bladder control
Itchy skin
Feeling sick
Headaches
Nerve damage

3

The former Towie star is set to give birth to her first childCredit: Instagram