Chicago-born comedian and internet personality Laura Clery is no stranger to viral attention, but her latest Mother’s Day post has pushed even her most loyal followers into a digital tug-of-war over boundaries, beauty, and birth.
On Facebook, Clery shared a carousel of intensely raw, semi-nude photographs of herself shortly after giving birth (blurred in only the most minimal areas) accompanied by a heartfelt message celebrating motherhood in all its forms. The visuals, which many interpreted as both empowering and provocative, triggered a storm of emotional, graphic, and often hilarious responses, sparking one of the most divided comment sections Facebook has seen in recent memory.
Clery’s intent was clear: to honor the chaos, agony, and beauty of childbirth. But the execution struck a nerve for some.
“Her faces look like she is in a porno 😂,” one commenter wrote, summing up the sentiment shared by many who felt the post strayed into NSFW territory. Another chimed in, “I thought this was a porn shooting — definitely not giving ‘mom vibes.’”
At the same time, a flood of comments praised Clery for her vulnerability and unfiltered depiction of the birthing experience. “This is what motherhood is,” one user commented. “100%… Those pictures depict all of the 10,000 emotions.”
Others used the space to share their own maternal journeys, from C-sections and miscarriages to adoption and stillbirth. “We are WARRIORS!” wrote one mom. Another added, “Regardless, motherhood is a blessing in all its forms.”
While Clery’s choice to post such revealing images may have been controversial, it tapped into a much larger conversation around how society perceives women’s bodies during and after birth.
Many women applauded her for “keeping it real,” despite the potential backlash. “Why do we celebrate pain when men experience it, but want women to hide theirs behind curtains?” one supporter asked.
Yet others took issue with the level of exposure, with one commenter stating, “If there was a sick 🤢 emoji on the likes, I would have put it.” Another: “Jesus, some photos should have been more covered.”
Amid jokes about placenta, Popeyes orders, and “tiddies covered up like an eye patch on a giant squid,” one central tension kept surfacing: is this a celebration of motherhood, or performance art verging on shock value?
Given Clery’s comedic roots, some believe the post was a deliberately exaggerated mash-up of vulnerability and humor. One follower joked, “Thought it was Scarlett Johansson at first,” while another quipped, “That baby was covered in cheese, mine came out clean!”
Others couldn’t help but debate which is more painful: childbirth or kidney stones — a discussion that spanned dozens of comments and more than a few bruised egos. “Come try a kidney stone. Most painful thing my ass,” one man wrote. Cue instant rebuttals from moms everywhere.
Like most things on the internet, Clery’s post has split viewers into two vocal camps: those who praise her candor and those who want some things to remain private.
