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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Calling petite ladies...

21 replies

Ladypug · 26/04/2015 10:15

I am very petite (height), I'm a 'normal' weight eg not petite as in slim. I just wondered if labour is harder for those of us who are vertically challenged? I'm a bit anxious about it x

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Whatabout · 26/04/2015 10:28

How petite is petite? I'm 5ft 1.5 and can't say my height had much to do with anything :-)

Original poster

Ladypug · 26/04/2015 10:32

I'm just under 5 foot. I keep thinking that baby is going to be massive in relation to me so it will probably take longer/hurt more/need intervention etc

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changingagain · 26/04/2015 10:57

I'm 5'2" but size 12 with quite big hips. I hadn't really considered that it could be an issue in labour. I am expecting that a full term bump will be more difficult than it would be for someone taller though.

farmerswifey · 26/04/2015 11:14

I'm 5ft 1 and weighed under 8 stone at 12 weeks. I didn't have any problems with labour (a straightforward gas and air job), however I did look rather large from about 30 weeks onwards as my body had nowhere to go but outwards.

Whatabout · 26/04/2015 11:18

Yes, having a short torso is an arse in terms of looking huge!

Lego80 · 26/04/2015 11:19

Bras! I'm 16 +3 and all my bras are very uncomfortable or don't fit. I don't want to waste money buying new bras if they're going to be too small again in a few weeks. Are there any out there that can last for duration of pregnancy or at least a good while? I. Not entirely sure what's got bigger. My back or my boob?

Lego80 · 26/04/2015 11:19

Sorry, didn't meant to past that here!

Littleturkish · 26/04/2015 11:22

I'm 5 foot three and have had two brilliant labours- is your mum similar in statue to you? What were her labours like?

Original poster

Ladypug · 26/04/2015 11:23

Yes mum is a bit taller but not much and had ok labours with just gas and air so I guess that's a good sign!

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littlesupersparks · 26/04/2015 11:24

I'm 5'4'' so not that small but I have just had twins. Ime being shorter made it harder to squash in two full size babies, placentas and water. I was quite uncomfortable because my bump never got very big despite containing 13lb of baby. I think if I had been tall with a longer torso they would have fitted in better. But unless you are particularly slight/narrow hipped I can't see that it would affect labour too much. Deffo chat with mw if you are worried though...

littlesupersparks · 26/04/2015 11:26

I've had 3 natural labours, last one twins with breech baby 2 - gas and air the first two and diamorphine the last labour - no tears grazes or stitches.

allgoodthings84 · 26/04/2015 11:37

This is my first so not sure about labour but I'm only 5ft and am 36+4 and haven't really struggled during pregnancy at is in terms of how I feel. My bump has always measured small and I've had 2 growth scans but baby is fine. I'm hoping my height doesn't affect the labour in a bad way! My mum is 5'2" and had only gas and air and no tearing or stitches with any of her labours. Her first was natural in less than 4 hours but was unfortunately stillborn at 39 weeks then me and my younger brother were induced at 38 weeks and 37 weeks and were born within 3 hours of start of induction)

museumum · 26/04/2015 11:38

5'2" and a good water labour and easy pushing stage. Recovered quickly. No issues at all.

museumum · 26/04/2015 11:41

I didn't have a huge bump. I had a very strong core and ds mostly was inside my pelvis and ribcage which made sitting uncomfy from about 30wks
However probably due to that he engaged early and pushed on y cervix and was born at 39+5.

GingerCuddleMonster · 26/04/2015 11:52

I'm 5'3" and pushed 7lb 10oz DS out in 3 pushes and a 6hour labor.

I found the last few weeks horrible, I felt like there was no more room and was constantly uncomfortable, and I looked chubby really puffy and chubby .

Fugghetaboutit · 26/04/2015 11:54

I'm 5'2 and size 6

My son was 7lb 8. My labour was hard, back to back and contractions every 1 min from start, pushing took 2.5 hours as he had his hand on head and I tore like a bitch.

Kim82 · 26/04/2015 12:03

I'm 5ft 2 and had quick labours
Ds - 4 hours, 15 mins (5lb 9oz)
Dd1 - 1 hour, 3 mins (5lb 15oz)
Dd2 - 35 mins (6lb 12oz)
Dd3 - 1 hour, 10 mins (6lb 7oz)

We do have a history of women having quick labours in our family though, both my mum and my sister had quick births too.

Original poster

Ladypug · 26/04/2015 12:54

Wow thanks everyone! Nothing to suggest that being tiny

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Original poster

Ladypug · 26/04/2015 12:55

Oops sent too soon! I was saying nothing to suggest that being tiny will necessarily mean a worse labour! Thank you for all the comments :-)

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anxiousannie10 · 26/04/2015 22:18

I'm 4' 10 and usually a size 8, I've had one child and no problems due to my height or frame. The midwife said its all to do with your pelvis and not your hips.

Fattycow · 26/04/2015 22:43

It is the 'hole' in your pelvis that makes it easier or harder and that has nothing to do with height.

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