World's smallest mother passes away at 44

The miracle mother who defied all medical odds ro be able to carry and give birth to three children has tragically passed away at the age of just 44.

Stacey Herald from Kentucky passed away. The 44-year-old mother of three suffered from a rare genetic condition called Osteogenisis Imperfecta, which drastically stunted her growth and the development of her lungs, also leaving her with brittle bones.

In 2000, Stacey met her husband Wil, and the couple married in 2004. But they were warned that trying to have children would be a major risk for Stacey to take with her condition, because a baby could outgrow her and crush her lungs and heart.

Regardless of the doctors' advice, Stacey decided she wanted to take the risk.

At just 2"4', when Stacey gave birth to her three children, daughters Kateri, 11, and Makya, 10, and son Malachi, eight, she became the world's smallest ever mother.

Despite the risk she ran, being a mother was her greatest joy in life.

Sadly two of her children, Kateri and Malachi, have inherited her condition, something that the family had hoped would not happen.

Malachi was also born eight weeks premature by Caesarian section in 2010, weighing just 2lb 10oz.

"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," Stacey said.

While it was difficult to learn he also had her condition, it was easier to deal with because both she and her oldest daughter have dealt with it.

Because of the condition, Stacey is confined to a wheelchair, but that hasn't stopped her from being a hands-on mom.

She had a specially built platform so that she would be able to change nappies and bathe her children from her wheelchair.

"Anything I can't do, Wil can,' Stacey said at the time of her third child's birth," Stacey said. "He's great at getting up in the night and changing diapers and feeding the girls, he really is a blessing."

When Makya quickly outgrew her mother at the age of just two, Wil had to take over looking after her when she was upset, as Stacey couldn't handle her.

Sadly, Stacey left her husband behind alone with their three children when she passed.