Vanessa Morgan Celebrates C-Section Scar With Tattoo After Son’s Birth

Vanessa Morgan is opening up about recovering from her C-section scar after the emotional birth of her son.

The Riverdale actress – who plays Toni Topaz in the popular CW teen drama – spoke with Kinship by parents about how her plans for the birth of her son, River, changed when her life was in danger.

After planning a delivery without medication, “I was thrown a curve ball and River’s heart rate was racing, and I had to have an emergency C-section,” the 30-year-old actress explained.

“But I remember feeling a little ashamed that my body let me down, and I had to let go for myself and say, ‘No, I’m proud of my body.'”

As part of a partnership with Gold Bond’s #MyScarStory campaign, Morgan shared that she found a way to love her scar with a meaningful new tattoo. “I got the word kintsugi, which is Japanese pottery believed to be more beautiful because it’s been broken,” she explained.

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Last November, Morgan opened up to PEOPLE about some of the advice and support she received from her Riverdale family since becoming a mom, including former costar Mark Consuelos and his wife, Kelly Ripa.

“I spoke to Kelly after I gave birth,” Morgan said. “Mark, they were just excited for me and gave me some really nice baby clothes for River.”

“Kelly, she also had one and gave me great advice on healing and using silicone bandages, and that’s what I use,” Morgan said. “And she was just like, ‘Yeah, up to a year, you might still feel pain’ and stuff. So it was nice to talk to someone else who’s been through this. She gave me good healing advice in that way.”

The Canadian actress welcomed River in January 2021 with ex-husband Michael Kopech. The couple, who married a year ago, announced they were pregnant with a boy in July 2020.

In January, she celebrated her baby boy’s first birthday with a sweet tribute on Instagram, sharing adorable photos of the birthday boy and his cake.

“One year of YOU. Loving you. Growing with YOU,” Morgan wrote in the caption. “Happy 1st birthday my little Buddha. Your birthday was also my rebirth. My biggest goal. It’s crazy how fast this year has gone. love.”