Petite and thin - giving birth naturally or cesarean?

[Sparklynails7]

I am petite and thin so I don't have "child bearing hips." I am terrified of giving birth not only because I am tiny, but because of my mother's experience. She was in labour for over 24 hours and almost died in theatre. She managed to give birth naturally, but almost had an emergency c-section. I am terrified that I will die giving birth, but cesareans also terrify me - how long does it take to recover and do the scars ever fade? Does anyone else who has a small frame have any positive experiences of giving birth? Or had a cesarean. Thanks.

Hi op. I don't think it's a 'stupid thing' to say or think as a pp said. I'm short and petite and eventually gave birth in theatre w forceps. I do have small hips which I'm not aware was a factor. Had elective c section second time which was much better. You will hear all different stories so it's hard to make a decision. Meanwhile congrats on your pregnancy.

"poster CuckingFunt1987 Wed 11-Apr-18 20:31:39
You honestly can give birth naturally . Our bodies are amazing so don't u see estimate nature . If you couldn't give both then you wouldn't have got pregnant . Good luck op"

My God, I've seen some stupid things posted on Mumsnet over the years but this absolutely takes the biscuit. Cucking - I am going to report this to HQ (which is something I almost never do) and ask them to remove it because it is so offensive and so ignorant.

I am tiny! 4'11 and 6 stones size 2/3 feet. When pregnant I dont go very big either

Dd1 - 7.4lbs born with gas & air. Had a water birth and the whole labour was under 5 hours

Dd2 - 8.4lbs!!! No gas and air as she was born 20 mins after I arrived in hospital. Whole thing from first contraction to having her was 1hr 45 mins

Hypnobirthing really helped me. I was also really worried about childbirth & how I'd manage but none of the midwives were concerned and the hypnobirthing helped me relax and focus on having a positive birthing experience

I'm tall with wide childbearing hips and I had two long but thin babies, both by emergency c-section. Baby one was planned to be a homebirth too. My c-sections were straightforward. I was a bit scared of moving after the first one, but out and about within two weeks of the second. My only issue has been adhesions (where the scarring sticks together) but that really just means it hurts when I sneeze. The scar went white long long age (dd will be 18 at the end of the summer) but was numb for years and my tummy is no longer a great shape. I think that's because I had the second section only 16 mths after the first one.

Hopefully you'll have a nice straightforward vaginal delivery with no issues, but c-sections are fine too.

I was a size zero and 5ft 2 and a bit when I had my baby girl 17 years ago. I gave birth absolutely fine. X

I was 7 and a half stone when I fell pregnant, 5ft 1 and with size 2 1/2 feet, I was fine. I'd also had the comment about small feet, but had my DD in just over five hours from start to finish, natural birth, and she was 7lbs 10

Hi OP!
I completely understand why you would be worried, I was too, but everyone is different and you’re just as likely to have a smooth labour.
I’m 5’1”, 7 stone and size 6-8 hips and I have given birth naturally twice to a 6lb 8oz DS and a 6lb 12oz DD. I had a cracked rib at 28 weeks with DS and the doctor said my petite frame was a contributing factor, but I still managed to bring him into the world with no complications 11 weeks later. DD’s birth was also straight forward, I had her at home with only my boyfriend to help as the midwife was delayed by snow.
Wishing you lots of luck, I’m sure you will be fine, enjoy your pregnancy xx

It depends on more than just your weight - it is the size of the gap through your pelvis (not the outside of it), the size of the baby’s head, the way the baby presents...

I was breech with a 98th centile head, 4’10 Mum needed a c-section (they wouldn’t even let her try). DS was transverse lie with a 98th centile head, and he had other problems which necessitated a pre-term c-section but I doubt I’d have managed to deliver him either, even if the lie had been sorted out. I’m 5’1 and a size 8-10.

My best friend is 5’2 and size 6-8, and she gave birth with no problems at all. Her DS has a normal-sized head though!