[butterturbopenelope]

Hi, my husband & I are going to start trying to have a baby soon & I'm (mostly) prepared for things like my diet, exercise, 'morning' sickness, so on and so forth. However, I'm TERRIFIED of giving birth. I'm five foot even, and my weight is usually between 107-110. Im not very big at all & everyone thinks that my frame is too small to be able to deliver the natural way, which leaves me with the only other option being a c-section. Although I would love to have my baby naturally since its less complicated and requires less down time, I think a c-section would be a safer, less stressful option for myself and my baby, given my frame. Definitly not the easier option, but I would rather have a planned c-section that I'm prepared for rather than being rushed into an operating room & getting cut open in a matter of minutes with no prior warning or anything. Basically... my question is for anyone who isnt exactly the tallest person in the world... did you have trouble during labor? and did you chose natural delivery or a c-section? or is there really any difference in pregnancy and labor between someone who is five foot or someone who is five foot nine? Any advise would be greatly, greatly appreciated! Thank you

[LeanyBean]

Being very petite has nothing to do with ability to give birth naturally. I had a great aunt who about your size and gave birth at home to a 13+ pound baby.
I have had an unmedicated birth as well as a c-section and honestly I felt it easier to recover from the section than from any of my other births.
I'm only 5' 2" but have been on the heavier side since I was 13.
My advice is to not stress about giving birth . . . . . ever. Enjoy your pregnancy (whenever you get there) and allow Nature to take its course. Being as relaxed as possible is best for a natural delivery.

Relax. Enjoy practicing to get pregnant, enjoy your journey to becoming pregnant, enjoy your pregnancy, enjoy your new addition. Relax.

[LovingJesusinAZ]

I agree with the pp--even with your frame you should be able to give birth vaginally. I know numerous friends about your size who have had no problems (I am 5'2" so not much taller than you) and I have birth vaginally both times

I understand your fears--before the birth of my first I would lie in bed and cry "I don't think I can do this", but I could and I did. You will be able to also. Your fears are natural, but I promise--the more you're able to relax now the more you'll enjoy your pregnancy!

[mollymae]

My 4' 11" cousin had 5 kids. all naturally and her biggest was just short of ten pounds. I was sooo sooo scared of giving birth. My mum said "If I could I'd do it for you but I wouldn't want you to miss out on it" She was so right. Try to trust in your body.

Disclaimer!
I'm NOT suggesting this as an option for your delivery.

Google free birthing and you'll find a few video's. You'll be amazed by the capabilites of a womans body.

[Magic_Mikki]

Originally Posted by butterturbopenelope

Im not very big at all & everyone thinks that my frame is too small to be able to deliver the natural way

I don't know who is telling you these things, but you should ignore it! Every woman's body is different. Also, women have been giving birth naturally for more years than you can imagine, so it's not like we're the first short people to ever become pregnant, ya know? LoL!

I'm five feet even, also. When I was pregnant with my first I had similar fears, mostly because people who just didn't 'know' would say things just like what people are telling you, that a baby wouldn't fit! A woman's weight doesn't really have much to do with her ability to give birth, anyway. And any 5 foot person has the ability to have a natural birth. My first was 7 1/2 pounds and my second was 8lbs 3oz. and both were born naturally and healthy with no complications. (Well, no complications that were related to my height/weight, at least!)

I hope I don't sound harsh! I just really hope that you don't continue to let other people scare you like that. Also, planned C-Sections just aren't realistic, unless you're a celebrity or you've had a c-section already. Doctors just don't allow that, so you're kind of out of luck in that department.

My best advice to you is that when you do become pregnant, you also become educated. Read, read, read! Read books, magazines, articles.. Talk to your doctor about your concerns right away in the beginning to help ease your fears so you can have a great pregnancy. Take childbirth classes, and actually utilize the information they give you! In these classes you will receive all sorts of outside info, and it's up to you to dig deeper.

But please! Just know that your frame, although smaller than the average person's, will NOT be an issue! But if you continue to listen to these people, then it might be, if you see what I'm saying!

[JeanLynn81]

I was 5'3" and about 135-140lbs when I got pregnant. I gave birth vaginally with no complications. In fact, I was able to get her out in about 4 pushes.

You'd be surprised what a woman's body can do. Discuss it fully with your doctor and let them know what you want. Luckily you are early enough in the pregnancy that you can play musical doctors for a bit until you find one that you feel comfortable with, and will do everything to make sure your birth is the way you want it.

And as another poster pointed out, definately do your research! The internet is so fabulous for that! I would marry Google if I could.

Good luck with everything!

[Momof2kids]

I agree with all the posts, educate yourself and stop listening to others...every situation is different.

[purelegance]

i'm tiny too. 5'1 and 105 lbs. from first contraction to DD being here was less than 12 hours. People who say "oh, you're too little" i just write off as idiots in my book. That statement proves they don't know much about a woman's body. Now that DD is here, i just tell people she had less of a travel space to get here and that's why it was so quick. trust your body, it'll do what it was made to do.

[jaynphoenix]

I don't think you have much to worry about in the delivery department. I am tiny...5 ft even, and I delivered my baby naturally. You can't go on what people tell you though because birth is different for everyone. Don't spend your time worried about what will happen, it is something that in the end you won't have any control over. No matter what happens the important thing in the end is that you will deliver a healthy baby when the time comes!!! Good Luck.

[Kats Playland]

I don't think you would have any problems doing it natually. My cousin's mom is around your build and has had to healthy baby naturally.