

Tuesday, December 22, 2009



Smallest mother - Stacey Herald sets world record



DRY RIDGE, KY, USA--Stacey Herald, 35, who is just 2ft 4in tall, has given birth to a healthy baby boy - which is the world record for the Smallest Mother.



Photo: Stacey holds Malachi after she is allowed to take him out of the incubator for a few precious moments. Photo Barcroft Media (enlarge photo)



She and trainee priest Wil, who is 5ft 9ins tall, have daughters Kateri, three, and Makya, 18 months.



"Malachi is having trouble feeding and some circulation problems, but the doctors say he's doing well... We're looking forward to the day he's strong enough to come home," said Herald.



He was induced at 32 weeks due to concerns for his mother's safety. Risk Stacey, who has 34 stitches across her stomach, said: "He's the most beautiful perfect boy I've ever seen."



Malachi has two older siblings, 18-month-old Makya, and 3-year-old Kateri. Malachi, who is just five inches long, is being cared for at a hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, and will have to stay in an incubator for several months.



His sister Kateri, who has the same condition as Stacey, spent the first five months of her life in hospital. Stacy added: "We're looking forward to the day he's strong enough to come home."



Herald has osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic disorder that causes bones to break easily. But despite all the obstacles, the mother and father, a trainee priest, say they want even more children.



Her youngest daughter, Makaia, was 18 inches long when she was born last winter.



Her other daughter, Katira, 2, has the same disease, but Makaia does not. Doctors warned Herald that pregnancy stood a good chance of killing her, but Herald said she had faith that all would be OK.



Now both girls are bigger than their mother. She uses a wheelchair but manages to care for daughters Kateri, three, and Makya, 18 months, with the help of husband Wil, 27.



The proud mum said her husband Wil was a great support for her and the children. She added: "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."



Related world records:

Tallest Bikini Model-world record set by Amazon Eve



Oldest Woman-world record set by Maria Olivia da Silva



Largest natural breasts-world record set by Norma Stitz



Largest Breast Implants-world record set by Sheyla Hershey



Smallest waist-world record set by Cathie Jung



Tuesday, December 22, 2009