Lost Height?

Updated on March 23, 2007
R.S. asks from Shawnee, KS
8 answers

I had my son almost 10 months ago. I went to the Dr. for a sinus infection yesterday and when they took my height and weight, my height measured in at almost an inch and a half shorter than I have "always" been. Could pregnancy have "stolen" my inch and a half? Any other ideas as to what would have/could have caused this?

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K.C.

answers from Kansas City on

It could also be the way you were standing. I've normally always measured at around 5'6" and when I went last August I was measured at 5'4 1/2" I'm not that short trust me.. my mom is 5'4ish and I'm a good few inches taller than she is...but they had me standing really funny.... I wouldn't worry about it to much

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A.N.

answers from Tulsa on

Posture changes dramatically in pregnancy and the aftermath of carrying a baby allll around while our ligaments are still in flux (for 12 months following delievery OR after finishing up breast feeding). I bet your shoulders are more rounded, head a bit forward and upper back slumped. Also, your lower back is a bit curvier with the weakened abdominals, right? The posture should be ear over outside shoulder which should be over the side hip then over the outside ankle bone (that is if you drew a straight line down the side). Try this, pull your lower tummy in (don't "suck" it in but pull the belly button towards your spine) and lift your chest bone (sternum) to face up. Those two things alone will allow you to begin regaining your old posture (or at least to some degree).
Good luck
A.
(Mom and Physical Therapist)....PS: this information is considered common knowledge and should not be in lieu of a medical professional who has evaluated you in person.

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J.T.

answers from Topeka on

one thing that can change the height is the whether or not you have shoes on or not when your heigh is taken

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A.S.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I agree with the posture thing. Are you nursing? Are your breasts larger than before? If you have more weight on top, you might be slouching forward. Also pregnancy can change the ways your muscles support your spine, making it more into an S shape and taking away inches.

If you feel like your posture is fine, I would lean to a quirk in the measurement. But if you feel different when you put shoulders back and stick your chest out, you probably do need to work on your posture. Check out http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/03... for more info about a healthy posture. You might also want to try lifting some light weights to strengthen your muscles or doing Pilates or Yoga to strengthen and focus on posture. I bet you can gain back that inch and a half and feel better all around! Take care of yourself Mama!

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S.H.

answers from Oklahoma City on

im not sure of the cause it might be posture or it could be the pregnancy but when i had my first son i went to apply for wic about 3 months later and when they measured me i was 5'11" . i have been 6' even for 7 or 8 years. i went home and told my dad who has always been very interested in my height and he remeasured me 3 times telling me stand up straighter each time and still came to the same 5' 11" i just had my sister measure me when i read your request and i am back to the normal 6'. my son is now 2. so i have no idea what the cause is but eventually no matter what the problem is you should be able to regain the inch you lost. so dont worry about it too much.
steph

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E.Y.

answers from Topeka on

When in the day was your appointment? I saw an episode of 20/20 or Dateline or some show like that and evidently you shrink throughout the day. If you measure yourself when you get up then again before you go to bed there can be over an inch difference. I've also noticed that just like scales, no too meausurings will be quite the same. I've been to one doctor and measured 5'5" and another that said I was 5'3' both with no shoes!

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S.J.

answers from Lawton on

You got shorter? It wasn't the pregnancy, it's the child rearing!! lol You're so worn out you're loosing your posture.
Seriously, did you ask your DR? Was he concerned about your bone strength? If not, you might not have been standing straight.

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T.C.

answers from Kansas City on

Pregnancy can cause the arch of your feet to flatten out which can cause both a loss in height and a change in shoe size (width, length or both). This was an issue for me after my pregnancy. If you think this might be part of it, the best fix is a good pair of shoes. Most brand name shoes (Nike, New Balance, Adidas, and so on) have much better arch support and can actually help to bring your arch back to a healthy height. Good luck!

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