Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, recently got very honest about her past childbirth experiences. She shared these unfiltered stories as she prepares to welcome her fourth baby. It seems even superstars face tough realities when it comes to having children.
During an appearance on “The Breakfast Club” podcast episode on Friday, September 19, Cardi didn’t hold back. She described how her second baby was “too big” and “split me.” Then, she talked about her first child, explaining, “With the first, they had to sew me.” Host Jess Hilarious, shocked by the details, asked, “Down there?” Cardi clarified her comment about her vagina, saying, “My kitty? Oh yes, I ripped.”
Childbirth can be hard on the body. The Mayo Clinic confirms that vaginal tears are quite common during delivery. These tears can range from mild (first-degree) to very severe (fourth-degree). They often happen when a baby’s head is too large for the vagina to stretch enough. Doctors sometimes call these perineal tears or lacerations. Hearing Cardi’s frank account, Jess Hilarious expressed her dismay, asking the rapper, “How did you pee? My God, Cardi, give me your hand. I’m so sorry.” Cardi admitted it “was difficult,” a true understatement given her descriptions.
Despite those challenging first two births, Cardi has found a silver lining. Her third baby’s arrival was much smoother. “Now things are a little different and I have more experience,” she noted. “For example, the third one was so easy, so I hope this one will be too, in the name of the Lord. That’s why I think: ‘I did it last year. I can do it [again].'” This new outlook gives her hope as she looks forward to baby number four.
Cardi B Robert Kamau/GC Images
Just days before her podcast interview, on Wednesday, September 17, Cardi B confirmed her fourth pregnancy. This will be her first child with her boyfriend, Stefon Diggs. She already shares Kulture, 7, Wave, 3, and Blossom, 11 months, with her estranged husband, Offset. Speaking with Gayle King for “CBS Mornings,” Cardi expressed her joy. “I’m really very… excited. I’m happy,” she said. She added, “I feel like I’m in a good place. I feel very strong, I feel very powerful because I do all this work, but at the same time I’m creating a baby.” She also praised her relationship, stating, “My partner and I support each other very much.”
Cardi’s plans for the future include going on tour shortly after her baby is born. She spoke about preparing for this challenge, both mentally and physically. She isn’t worried, saying, “This is my fourth rodeo; it’s not my first or my second baby, it’s my fourth baby.” She recalled having a baby last year and quickly bouncing back. “I have many videos: I was training while I was pregnant, in my last weeks,” she shared. “And when I gave birth, like four days later, I felt like nothing.” With her past experiences in mind, she’s ready to tackle it all. “So I’m not only going to prepare for the tour, but I also have to physically prepare to be able to feel good.”