Beyonce has opened up about her experience giving birth to daughter Blue Ivy Carter — and those persistent rumors her pregnancy was faked — to GQ magazine.

“When I gave birth, that was the first time I truly let go and surrendered,” the first-time mom, seen here on vacation with Blue Ivy, said.

“And it taught me how amazing that feels… Giving birth made me realize the power of being a woman. I have so much more substance in my life. And expressing that excitement and that sensuality and the connection I have with my husband—I’m a lot more comfortable with that now. I actually feel like my child introduced me to myself.”

About those fake pregnancy rumors? Beyonce explained,“I felt like I kind of had to protect my mother, because when people made up the silliest rumor about me not really being pregnant.

“She was there when I went through all of those things. And my sister. They were very, very defensive. It’s not personal to me, and it comes along with the job, but the lack of respect—people will just go too far sometimes.”

Check out GQ‘s February 2013 issue for more from Beyonce!

photo: iam.beyonce.com