Thrissur: The medical fraternity initially met expectant mother Simi with a degree of concern. Standing just 95 cm tall and weighing 34 kg at the age of 36, she was advised by several hospitals that childbirth would be difficult and fraught with complications. But the determination of the ‘mother’ in Simi prevailed. On June 23, she gave birth to a baby boy, and both mother and child are doing well.

According to hospital authorities, K K Simi, from Ayyanthole in Thrissur, is the shortest mother in India. The baby, delivered by caesarean section at 33 weeks of pregnancy, weighed 1.6 kg. The delivery, hailed as a milestone in medical history, took place at CIMAR Hospital in Thrissur.

The previous record was held by Kamakshi from Tamil Nadu, who was 108cm tall when she gave birth.

Doctors said Simi’s stature posed significant challenges during the pregnancy. Dr Lipi explained that as the foetus grows, there comes a stage when the mother’s blood pressure can rise and the risk of respiratory distress increases. This is because, while Simi’s uterus and ovaries were structurally normal, there was limited space for the baby to grow. The baby lay flat in the womb, and Simi’s lung capacity, like that of most people of her height, was reduced.

The surgery was carried out when Simi began experiencing shortness of breath. Although there were limitations in administering anaesthesia, all issues were successfully resolved, Dr Lipi said. Tests were also performed to confirm that the baby’s hips were correctly positioned and that there were no physical abnormalities.

Simi’s husband, Prijeesh, from Malappuram, said he was overjoyed to welcome a baby into their lives despite his own visual impairment.