Fans of Kat Von D know that the Goth Queen extraordinaire has never been one to play by the games of convention. Since the start of her career in the limelight, she’s turned heads with her collection of body tattoos and very recently raised eyebrows (and thrilled us!) with a heaven-and-hell-inspired wedding in which she wore devil horns and a blood-red dress. While Von D has shown her capacity for being able to shrug off harsh public criticism in the past, she recently took to Instagram to tell fans and critics that when it comes to raising her son, they can keep the volume on low.
Von D sent fans into an Instagram tizzy on Thursday after dropping some truths about her pregnancy.
The tattoo artist spoke openly about her and new husband Rafael Reyes’s decision to forgo the aid of a doctor when she gives birth and instead have opted to have a midwife. More controversially, Von D asserted the couple’s joint decision to raise their son vegan and without vaccines. In a post to her Instagram account, the beauty brand maven wrote, “If you don’t know what it’s like have people around you think you are ridiculous, try being openly vegan. And, if you don’t know what it’s like to have the entire world openly criticize, judge, throw uninformed opinions, and curse you – try being an openly pregnant vegan on Instagram, having a natural, drug-free home birth in water with a midwife and doula, who has the intention of raising a vegan child, without vaccinations. My point being: I already know what it’s like to make life choices that are not the same as the majority. So your negative comments are not going influence my choices.”
Von D might not be in the business of taking unsolicited advice on her pregnancy but her post has certainly sparked debate.
The anti-vaccine conversation has been a hot political topic amongst Americans for years. While vaccinations have long been credited with maintaining public safety and preventing virus outbreaks, there are many who view immunizations as a public health risk, unsafe and a factor in disorders such as autism.
For the most part, comments in reply to Von D’s post were supportive of her decision to do things her way, however many did critique her anti-vaccination choice.
“I was with you for the most part, but choosing not to vaccinate is a very public decision,” an Instagram user wrote under her post. “Some little ones can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons and those are the same little ones that you will be putting at additional risk. You can write this off as a negative comment that won’t affect you, but it doesn’t make it any less true. It’s natural to put the health of your own baby above all others, but you shouldn’t get to be in denial about it being a selfish decision.”
“UK tend to use midwife led services over Dr, unless it’s a high risk pregnancy/birth,” Another user wrote. “Totally salute you going for as natural route as possible. Though I don’t agree with your stance on vaccinations I love following you and your journey and will continue to do so. Congrats on your wedding and your future lil man xx”
On the flipside, plenty of her fans gave support for her decision.
“YES!!! You’re doing things the right way. Not vaccinating your lad is the best decision. ♥” One fan wrote. “This coming from a fellow non vaxxing mom. Another decision you’ve made that you won’t regret. I’m glad you’re informing yourself, maybe in you doing this and being open about it will possibly be a lead for others who are questioning these decisions for their own children. Thanks for towing the road ❤”
This past May, Von D announced her pregnancy in a post to her Instagram account writing “It’s a boy.”
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Read: The Pregnancy Announcement That Kat Von D Just Dropped Gives Off Total Regal Latina Vibes
