Stacey Herald is considered the world’s smallest mother. She gave birth to 3 babies despite the fact that she had to risk her life.
Stacey Herald, from Kentucky, was just 2ft 4ins. The woman had O.s.t.e.o.g.e.n.i.s.i.s I.m.p.e.r.f.e.c.t.a – a rare genetic condtion stunted her growth and caused underdeveloped lungs and brittle bones.
She became a mother against the advice of doctors, who claimed that if she got pregnant, her baby could grow too big and crush her lungs and heart. “They all told me that I would lose my life. They begged me not to have a baby. even my mother said,’ You know you won’t survive right?’”
However, Stacey Herald defied medics to have a family. The mother gave birth to three children in just three years. Accordingly, two of her kids – Kateri and Malachi, inherited her condition. Malachi is her youngest child, who was born eight weeks prematurely by caesarian section on November 28, 2010. The little baby just weighed 2lb 10oz.
Stacey had 34 stitches across her stomach from the procedure. At that time, this mother said at the time: ‘He’s the most beautiful perfect boy I’ve ever seen.
‘All I want to do is stay by his side.’
‘Malachi was born without any broken bones.
‘People with our condition are often born with broken arms and legs because our bones are fragile and can be damaged by the birth.
‘I’ve explained that they’re all special babies, but that the girls will have to be careful with Malachi, until he’s a bit older.
‘When we found out Malachi had my condition it was hard. But we knew we would be the best support possible for him, because Kateri and I have both been there already.’ She added.
Although Stacey was confined to a wheelchair, she played an active part in looking after the children along with her husband Wil. She met him in 2000 while working in a supermarket and married in 2004.
Although Stacey was confined to a wheelchair, she played an active part in looking after the children along with her husband Wil. She met him in 2000 while working in a supermarket and married in 2004.
She breastfed Malachi and had a specially built platform allowing her to bathe them and change nappies from her wheelchair. Meanwhile, her husband took care of the children at night.
Stacey said at the time of her third child’s birth: ‘Anything I can’t do, Wil can,’
‘He’s great at getting up in the night and changing diapers and feeding the girls, he really is a blessing.’
Although Stacey had to face various difficulties and the incredible danger when risking giving birth, she loved being a mother. She explained that she considered herself to be a ‘miracle’ and knew that her babies ‘would be miracles, too’.
However, the life didn’t smile at her. In 2018, the beloved mother sadly left her life at the age of 44 after leading a remarkable life.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-6155131/Worlds-smallest-mother-dies-44.html
