Third baby for world’s shortest woman

KENTUCKY, United States – The world’s smallest mother has vowed “I’ll have more children” as she showed off her unlikely baby No. 3.Stacey Herald, 36, who is just 2 feet 4 inches, was warned against becoming pregnant, because a baby could grow too big and crush her lungs and heart.But determined Stacey, from Kentucky has successfully defied doctors three times, and now she and husband Wil, 27, a trainee vicar, who is 5 feet 9 inches, are thinking about having more babies.Stacey has a rare genetic condition called osteogenisis imperfecta, which stunts her growth and causes underdeveloped lungs and brittle bones.She said: “Three children is a handful at the moment, but I can see us having more babies in the future.“We listen to doctors and respect them, but they don’t always get it right, so we end up doing what we feel is best.”The latest addition to the Herald brood is baby Malachi, seven months, who has inherited his mother’s condition, along with her eldest daughter Kateri, three. Second daughter Makya, two, is average sized.Malachi, who was born by a rare vertical Caesarean in November, was only allowed home last month after suffering breathing difficulties.“Malachi was born without any broken bones,” said Stacey. “People with our condition are often born with broken arms and legs because our bones are fragile and can be damaged by the birth.”But Malachi, who was five inches and 2lb 1oz, had to be placed into an incubator in intensive care.Fell seriously illAt 17 days old he fell seriously ill with a virus and then at four weeks he suffered a life-threatening hernia and was rushed in for surgery.“At one point they told us his heart had stopped and we thought he might not survive,” said Stacey. “But thankfully the doctors managed to save him. It felt like a miracle to us.”Malachi was finally able to come home with his mum and dad a month ago.Stacey is now coming to grips with being a mum of three, and the couple have made special adaptations to their home life to help her cope.Wil takes care of night feeding and nappy changing because it’s too difficult for Stacey, although she does breastfeed the baby during the day.She also bathes the children and changes nappies in the day using a specially-built platform, where she can look after them while staying in her chair.The family’s cupboards are organised so she can reach everything she needs to when her husband isn’t home.“We’re pretty busy right now,” Stacey said. “Sleep is something we really miss.”Stacey, who uses a wheelchair, struggles to cope with daughter Makya, who is already a foot taller than her mother.“I can’t physically stop Makya if she’s upset . . . . She’s too big for me now, so Wil has to take care of that,” said the mum who believes the new baby has brought her even closer to her husband than before.“I didn’t think it was possible to love him more,” she said. “But since we’ve had our son I think I fall for Wil a bit more each day.” (Daily Mirror)