Can I actually carry this kid?

[Anonymous]

So I recently found out that I'm pregnant (woohoo!) and after a few days of complete elation I'm starting to think about something that has nagged at me ever since I first began to consider the idea of being pregnant. You see, I'm really short (5 ft. even on a good day) and on top of that I have a short torso. I simply can't see how my body is going to accommodate a baby all the way though to the end. I figure that I'll probably start showing sooner than most women, and that in the end I'll end up looking a lot bigger than most simply b/c my belly will have nowhere to go but out. But besides physical appearances, are there any women out there who are similar in stature to me that can share their experiences? Did your OB/Midwife mention anything to you about complications that can arise when there is less room? Or is there really nothing particularly exceptional about this? Perhaps I should just have a little more faith in my body than I seem to at the moment...

Obviously when I meet with my OB I'll talk about my concerns with her, but in the mean time I wanted to get this off my chest. I also realize that this is probably a good time to start learning to only worry about the things I have control over....

Thanks everyone for your thoughts!

[Anonymous]

It's not so much your torso, but the width of your hips. And mine seem to expand (or so it appeared ).

[Anonymous]

I'm also 5 feet even with a short torso. I had two normal pregnancies. And yes, you will grow out, but I was so sick in the beginning of my first pregnancy that I actually lost weight and looked really great (felt terrible though) until about 4-5 months. I haven't been back to Size 4 since! I wouldn't worry.

[Anonymous]

I am 5'1 and my prepregnancy weight was 105. I carried my DS just fine. I gained 52 pounds, yes 52 pounds. I think a lot of it was fluid because I got incredibly swollen but I managed to do it just fine. My OB never mentioned any concerns and I assume she would if she noticed anything concerning. By the end of pregnancy people kept asking whether I was caring multiples.

[Anonymous]

Another 5-footer here. I was 110 pounds pre-pregnancy and gained 40 pounds (a lot of it from swelling). I didn't start showing until around 15 weeks. Don't worry, your body will find a way to expand! Also, I agree with the PP - it's not as much about the torso but how wide/narrow the hips are (and there is apparently no way to judge that from the "outside"). Pelvic bones "relax" and move during labor to accomodate the baby. There is no reason that you should have any complications during the pregnancy due to your size. Congrats and a healthy pregnancy to you!

[Anonymous]

Moms tend to grow babies that fit their bodies. You'll be OK.

[Anonymous]

I'm a whopping 5-2 / 5-3ish, and the one possibility I'll warn you about is simply looking ridiculous, particularly to those lucky tall women who have/had elegant pregnancies. I'm 26w with #2 and get regularly laughed at by a colleague who thinks the fact that I have a beach ball pregnancy is hysterical. She's tall, so I guess she must have been more subtle. (Dunno for sure, but either way her constant comments are annoying!) For me, there is no where else for the baby to go but straight out! By the time #1 arrived, I would literally get stares on the street. On the plus side, I dropped all the weight immediately. I had a 9-plus-pounder and didn't even need a Csection, to the surprise of everyone including my doctor.

[Anonymous]

There are women in many cultures and countries where the average height is below 5 ft, and they seem to be just fine. I'm thinking of my in-laws who are not from the US, and all are under 5 ft (even my FIL). DH is the only one over 5 ft, and his mom didn't have any problem giving birth to 5 kids!

[Anonymous]

Hi, another shortie here! I am also 5' tall/pre-preg. weight around 115. I gained 20 lbs. w/ #1 and I'm on the way to gaining about 30 w/ #2 who is due in 7 1/2 weeks. My boobs must weigh at least 3 lbs. each right now and I certainly have a belly going, but fear not: your body will figure out a way to make room for your little one. I didn't show during my first pregnancy until I was almost 5 months and even this time around I think I just started to get huge now at 33 weeks.
The only possible discomfort I may have had that someone with a long torso wouldn't was/is that sitting becomes difficult after you pass the 7 month mark. Everything just gets pushed up so high that you can't breathe so I basically sort of sit way back in the chair.
I gave birth to a 7.9 Lbs.(average size) girl although with forceps, but I really don't think that had anything to do with the size of the baby or my size. Honestly, I would not worry about it at all. My ob/gyn never even mentioned it as a problem plus she is also a shortie who just gave birth to her 3rd. Just enjoy your pregnancy!

[Anonymous]

Have you ever watched "Little People Big World" on TLC? Amy Roloff is only 4 feet tall and has four children including a set of twins. As many people have mentioned, you will be fine. Good luck with your pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

OP here: Thanks everyone for your responses. Perhaps it was a silly fear but I genuinely do feel much better now, so thank you!

[Anonymous]

Another shortie here! 5 feet tall, and had two nine plus pounders!

[Anonymous]

OP again: Baby size is one thing I have going for me. I was 5 lb. 14 oz when I was born and my husband was 7lb 3 oz.--so theoretically anyway we're not looking at a big baby. Nevertheless, like a PP said I just assume that I'm going to look like I'm carrying multiples no matter what

[Anonymous]

My mom is 4'11" and she carried me, a 9 pound baby! No issues.

I'm 5'2" and just had a baby in June. I looked really big, and had a lot of comments from people that I looked like I was carrying twins.

You'll be fine.