World's smallest mum shows off third baby, wants fourth. The world's smallest mum has proudly introduced her third baby to the world and promised: "I'll have more children".
(L - R) Daughter Makya, Stacey Herald with son Malachi, husband Wil Herald and daughter Kateri
Stacey Herald, 36, who is just 2ft 4ins, has been warned against becoming pregnant, because a baby would grow too big and crush her lungs and heart.
But Mrs Herald, from Kentucky, USA, has successfully defied doctors three times, and now she and her husband Wil, a 27-year-old trainee vicar, who is 5ft 9ins, are thinking about having more children.
Mrs Herald 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 mum's condition, as has her eldest daughter, Kateri, three.
Makya, the couple's two-year-old daughter, is average sized.
Malachi, who was born by a rare vertical caesarian in November, was only allowed home last month after suffering breathing difficulties,
"Malachi was born without any broken bones," said Mrs Herald. "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.
At 17 days old, he fell seriously ill with a virus and then at four weeks he suffered a life-threatening hernia and had emergency surgery.
"At one point they told us his heart had stopped and we thought he might not survive," said Mrs Herald. "But thankfully the doctors managed to save him. It felt like a miracle to us."
Malachi, who has small arms and legs because of his condition, grew stronger and was finally able to go home a month ago.
Mr Herald takes care of night feeding and nappy changing and Mrs Herald breastfeeds Malachi during the day.
She also baths the children and changes nappies in the day using a specially built platform, where she can look after them while staying in her wheelchair.
The family's cupboards are organised so she can reach everything she needs to when her husband is not home.
"We're pretty busy right now," she said. "Sleep is something we really miss.
"Three children would be a challenge for anyone - even normal sized people."
Mrs Herald struggles to cope with daughter Makya, who is already a foot taller than her.
"I can't physically stop Makya if she's upset," said Mrs Herald. "She's too big for me now, so Wil has to take care of that." ( timesofindia.com )
(L - R) Daughter Makya, Stacey Herald with son Malachi, husband Wil Herald and daughter Kateri
Stacey Herald, 36, who is just 2ft 4ins, has been warned against becoming pregnant, because a baby would grow too big and crush her lungs and heart.
But Mrs Herald, from Kentucky, USA, has successfully defied doctors three times, and now she and her husband Wil, a 27-year-old trainee vicar, who is 5ft 9ins, are thinking about having more children.
Mrs Herald 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 mum's condition, as has her eldest daughter, Kateri, three.
Makya, the couple's two-year-old daughter, is average sized.
Malachi, who was born by a rare vertical caesarian in November, was only allowed home last month after suffering breathing difficulties,
"Malachi was born without any broken bones," said Mrs Herald. "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.
At 17 days old, he fell seriously ill with a virus and then at four weeks he suffered a life-threatening hernia and had emergency surgery.
"At one point they told us his heart had stopped and we thought he might not survive," said Mrs Herald. "But thankfully the doctors managed to save him. It felt like a miracle to us."
Malachi, who has small arms and legs because of his condition, grew stronger and was finally able to go home a month ago.
Mr Herald takes care of night feeding and nappy changing and Mrs Herald breastfeeds Malachi during the day.
She also baths the children and changes nappies in the day using a specially built platform, where she can look after them while staying in her wheelchair.
The family's cupboards are organised so she can reach everything she needs to when her husband is not home.
"We're pretty busy right now," she said. "Sleep is something we really miss.
"Three children would be a challenge for anyone - even normal sized people."
Mrs Herald struggles to cope with daughter Makya, who is already a foot taller than her.
"I can't physically stop Makya if she's upset," said Mrs Herald. "She's too big for me now, so Wil has to take care of that." ( timesofindia.com )
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