Conference moira::parenting

Just a data point, but my sister is just barely 5 feet tall and had both of 
her children naturally.
						Tracy
			

    
    My knee-jerk response to reading your note is "Oh, bunk!" (or something
    similar 8^)...)
    
    There's so many *individual* factors that contribute to one's potential
    to have a "natural"/vaginal birth that it strikes me as odd that a doctor 
    would set odds like that.   But then I suppose he/she has more
    experience at delivering babys than I do 8^).  I'd think that things 
    like pelvic structure and elasticity, size and position of the baby, 
    whether labor begins on its own and progresses well, etc. would have 
    a more significant impact on your odds than the height of the mother.
    
    cj/     

    Well, some people!  Don't even tell their oldest friends that 
    they are expecting.  Just because they live thousands of miles
    away! 8*)
    
    Congratulations!
    
    Also, J's Mom gave birth to 6 kids and never had a C-section
    and she is the same height as you are.  If you have any doubts
    get a second opinion, though.
    
    Pam

    
    re .0
    
    Height alone cannot be the determining factor for the C-section, 
    I think, since a lot of Asians are under 5 feet tall and they
    are not prone to C-sections. My mom is 4'11", had 3 kids, one
    bigger than 9 lbs, no problem.
    
    
    Eva
    
    
     

    
    My sister does not have kids.  She was told to try and
    have them by 30 if she was going to because of her
    height.  Mostly it was because of the space between
    her ribs and hips.
    
    It sounded like bunk to me also but since she decided she
    wasn't have any children, the full reason was never
    explored.

    hmmm.
    
    I'm _barely_ 5ft. tall, I'm 40 years old, and the only size-related
    anatomical concern that came up was space in my pelvic area. [I have
    lots] I've been told I could have a 10lbs baby with 'no trouble' ...
    [_I_ think that's relative]
    
    I don't have much space between my ribs and hipbones, but this has
    meant that I have looked more pregnant sooner as the baby seems to be
    growing to baby-specifications rather than scaling back on the growth
    thing because I am small.
    
    Perhaps it isn't height, but rather being tiny all over to scale?
    
      Annie

    My husband is from India.  Almost all the women in his family are 5
    feet or less.  My husband and all his siblings and cousins were
    delivered at home by his grandmother. I would have thought the
    determining factor would be whether the head of the baby fits through
    the pelvis.
    
    Beryl

    Seeing my 4'10" niece give birth to her son almost 8 pound son, I fail
    to see the connection between hieght and birth.  Pelvic structure is
    the main thing.  My midwife checks the distance around the hips,
    whether she can put a fist in between the bones between one's legs, and
    the roundness and width of the area around the pubic bone in front.  
    
    Positions of the mother while in labor are also guided by the shape and
    size of the pelvis for her.  
    
    Personal hot-button here: while it may be a good idea for someone with
    a borderline pelvis to get information on what to expect with a
    c-section, and the fact that the possibility exists, but putting a
    person in the frame of mind for a section without an attempt at vaginal
    delivery is irresponsible medicine.
    
    meg
    
    meg 

    I have had 3, 4 "11" with 2 inches between last rib and hip bone, small
    pelvic area. I don't know this Dr but sounds to me like HE (SHE) is 
    looking for the easy way out. My largest baby weighed in at 8lbs 12oz 
    22 inches long. You have to be comfortable with this DR. Go with your
    gut feel, and don't be afraid to go see another DR if you want. It's
    you and your baby that comes first, don't worry about, "Oh what if they
    get mad at me"? too many worry about that when it comes to getting a
    2nd opinion from another DR. 
    
    Sherry

    My sister was told she needed a C-section a month before she delivered,
    *DESPITE* the fact she made it quite clear she had chose him as her
    doctor because he would work with her trying to attain natural
    childbirth (first one was a C-Section).  When the doctor announce the 
    baby would now have to be delivered C-section she left the office that
    day and found a doctor who had worked with her and a mid-wife (she brought
    with her and paid for out of her pocket).  She has since given birth
    vaginally to two girls.  She never told him she was a nurse and knew  
    a blanket statement can't be made like that.
    
    How did she find this doctor?  She got in touch with a mid-wivery and
    asked for state-wide statistics that would back up the doctor's claim
    that they would work with her towards a vaginal delivery. 
    Incidentially, I was so impressed, he "helped" me deliver two of my
    children.  He said to me, "I did the helping, you did all the
    delivering!" [how humanistic!].  Unfortunately, he no longer wishes
    to pay the high OB insurances and now only does GYN.  He also takes
    quite a few EXTENDED vacations throughout the year.

    This is a crock.  I have a friend who is barely five feet tall who
    delivered a 10 lb., 6 oz. baby vaginally.  ANother friend of mine who
    is 5'9" in her stocking feet had to have a 7 lb. 6 oz. baby via
    C-section.  The shape/size of the pelvis and whether or not the baby's
    head will fit are the determining criteria, as I understand it.
    
    Although I'm 5'2" (on a good day :-)), I delivered a 7 lb. 9 oz.
    baby vaginally.  THe only reason I had a C-section for my 8-pounder
    is because he was (1) footling breech) and (2) the size of his head.
    
    Good luck to you as you try to find someone who will support you
    and put you and your baby first!!