Am I too small to give birth naturally?

Question

I'm only 9 weeks pregnant and my "dear" mother in law is already telling people that I have to have a caesarean because I'm "too small".
I'm just 5ft and weigh about 54kg.. so I am very petite, but I never thought I'd be too small to give birth naturally - which is obviously what I want.
Am I too small to give birth naturally?
Is there other women out there around my size that HAVE given birth naturally?

Thanks everyone.

That's really helpful and encouraging.
:)

Answer 1

I'm exactly 5 ft tall too! And I weigh 94 lbs (Well, before I as pregnant anyway) I was always concerned about this too. My Dr. told me that it was a possibility that I'd have to have a C-section because my pelvis is really small. I gave birth naturally though to a beautiful, healthy little boy. I had to be cut a little bit but I'd soo much rather go through that than a C-section. So there's still hope!! Do your kegel excercises every day right up until you deliver. That should help at least a little. Good luck!!

Answer 2

I am 5ft and weigh 53kg's so we are very similar. I've given birth vaginally 4 times successfully without so much as a stitch and would not do it any other way. Trust in your bodies ability to do what it is designed to do. Imagine how you'd feel trying to care for a new born whilst recovering for up to 6 weeks from a Cesarean. No obstetrician will ever tell you this but a Cesarean has more risks than a vaginal delivery and the infant mortality rate and risk of infection is higher for both mother and baby. I hope this helps.

Answer 3

Hmm and is she a roundish lady herself??
Your weight and body shape has nothing at all to do with how you give birth.
Some overweight women end up with c-sections because they are so unfit they couldn't get through the birth process.
Tell her that things have changed since the 'dark ages' when she gave birth and c-sections are done for the health of the mother and the baby, not because of the size of the vaginas!
I hope to god you have a natural birth just to prove her wrong, having said that, don't panic about a c-section, they are a piece of cake.
Good luck.

Answer 4

My best friend who is 5'1" and 105lbs is the tiniest skinniest little thing u would ever see but 2 years ago she was pregnant with her little one, and she gave birth to him naturally and he ended up being almost 9 lbs so don't worry so much, you may be able to do a natural birth after all, but if you can't then I'm sorry, but it doesn't mean ur any less of a woman, and unless ur mother in law is a OB/GYN and has examined you, ignore her

Answer 5

I am 5ft 2in and I was 120lbs before my son.. I swore I would have a c-section and the doc told me my pelvis was too small and my son was too big, but ya know what? 12 hours of labor and 2 1/2 hours of pushing... I delivered naturally. It's hard work but i'd do it again in a second! Good luck!

Answer 6

Well I'm 5'2" and we won't get into how much I weigh but I gave birth to a 8lbs 2oz baby with almost no tearing, no drugs, and certainly no c-section.

My great-aunt who is 4'10" at most had two kids, both vaginal. I don't know how big they were but they were probably normal sized babies.

Please, PLEASE try to avoid your mother-in-law. I know I personally hate to admit to it, but you will find that pregnancy does effect your mental state and statements like that can really haunt you and come back at the worst time. Try to avoid people like her. And get your husband to tell her to back off, I am sure she told him "If you don't have anything nice to say..." now it's her turn.

Also quickly fire any doctor who voices such concerns, personally I would be looking for a lay-midwife/direct entry midwife who are far better trained to deal with natural births.

Good luck!

Answer 7

That's not too small! I just saw a thing on dateline last night where the WORLDS smallest women gave birth naturally to a baby girl with no problems!
good luck! God bless!

Answer 8

Small women give birth naturally all the time. Other complications may cause for a cesarean. Talk to your doctor and ignore you mother-in-law. This won't be the last time you will have to ignore her. Trust me!!

Answer 9

My mother is about an inch taller than you and weighed around 100 lbs when she was young. She gave birth naturally to three children. I also hope you can, because I'm slightly smaller than both you and my mother.

Answer 10

Not likely, lots of petite women give birth naturally, it is all about the opening in you pelvis, which also spreads apart during labour.

Tell you mother in law that she is incorrect and she is hurting your feelings. I am sure she will understand.