Before they welcomed their first child last month, Zach and Tori Roloff discussed their birth plan and whether it’d be safer to deliver naturally or via C-section. In Tuesday’s episode of the TLC hit show Little People, Big World, the new parents talked about the potential dangers associated with each birth method and how they may need to be open to both options because of their baby's condition. Like Zach, their son, Jackson Kyle, also has achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism.
"Have you come closer to a decision on the C-section or the natural birth?" Zach asked his wife in a clip of Tuesday’s episode of LPBW, according to People.
"Well, I’m opening up to the C-section idea," Tori replied, but later added that she was "scared for like the whole operation. Like getting him, I’m scared."
Zach explained in the clip that because Jackson's head was measuring a "little big," there might be dangerous risks for Tori, who is average-sized, to give birth naturally.
"There’s a good possibility that Tori might need a C-section. So, it’s going to be hard for her," Zach said, according to People. "Just having surgery and going through that, but I’m going to help just by supporting her and being there for her."
On May 12, Tori ultimately gave birth to baby Jackson via C-section, according to People. The new parents announced on Instagram that he weighed in at 9 pounds and 1 ounce and measured at 20.5 inches long,
"Overall, it’s just trying to make the right decision for our family and making sure I stay safe, making sure the baby stays safe," Tori explained in the same clip of the upcoming episode.
While it's difficult to know the exact size of a baby in the womb, those who are expected to weigh more than 8 pounds and 13 ounces — the average baby weighs about 7.5 pounds — are more likely to face the risks associated with a dangerous vaginal delivery, such as an increased risk of blood loss, damage to the mother's tailbone, and perineal tearing, according to Babycenter.com
On Monday, one month after Jackson was born, Tori took to Instagram to update fans about his progress.
"He is eating and growing like a champ. Loves watching soccer with daddy. Starting to find his voice. Sleeps 5-6 hour stretches at night. Loves his Uncle Jacob. Hates having his diaper changed. Tolerates bath time," she captioned an photo of their adorable new baby dressed in overalls.
As for Tori, she also appears to be doing just fine following her C-section, which can take up to eight weeks to recover from. Just last week she posted a side-by-side photo of her postpartum body with #loveyourself and #justdoyou hashtags and later gave fans a glimpse of Jackson's nursery.
