‘Little People, Big World’: Zach & Tori Roloff Ready For Dwarf Baby, But Not Prepared For ‘Terrifying’ Surgery

Little People, Big World stars Zach and Tori Roloff weren’t surprised when Tori’s doctor told them that baby Jackson was a dwarf, but something else the parents learned during an ultrasound appointment left them both petrified.

As Monsters & Critics reports, Zach and Tori Roloff got confirmation that baby Jackson was a dwarf during last night’s episode of Little People, Big World. On previous episodes of the show, the couple has had multiple discussions about how they would feel if their baby was born with achondroplasia, the same type of dwarfism that Zach has. According to the Hollywood Gossip, there was a 50/50 chance of baby Jackson being a dwarf.

The Little People, Big World cameras followed Zach and Tori Roloff when the couple went in for Tori’s 34-week ultrasound, and the nervous parents-to-be held hands while the ultrasound technician took their baby’s measurements. They were informed that his head was larger than average, a good indication that he was a dwarf. However, Zach and his wife decided not to have their conversation with the doctor about the ultrasound measurements filmed. Instead, the Roloffs talked about what they learned during the car ride home.

“He’s a dwarf baby,” Zach said.

Both parents admitted that they were nervous about raising a child with achondroplasia, but Tori Roloff saw the bright side of having a dwarf baby.

“Baby clothes fit them longer,” she pointed out.

While talking to the doctor, Zach and Tori Roloff found out that baby Jackson’s head measured 40 centimeters. Tori pointed out that the average cervix only dilates about 10 centimeters, and she seemed pretty shocked by the size difference. She had planned on giving birth vaginally, but after consulting with her doctor, it began to sink in that she would likely have to have a C-section. Tori admitted that she found this prospect “terrifying” because she’s never had surgery before, but Zach told the Little People, Big World cameras that he’s nervous for his wife for another reason.

“Tori is not very good with pain,” he revealed.

While the idea of lying on an operating table seemed to scare Tori Roloff more than the prospect of pushing out a baby with a big head, Zach admitted that both delivery methods sounded rather “harrowing” to him.

According to the Roloffs, they hadn’t even considered the possibility that Tori would have to give birth via C-section due to baby Jackson being a dwarf.

“It’s just something we’ve never thought about.”

However, as Us Weekly reports, Amy Roloff had been doing some thinking about what her daughter-in-law’s labor and delivery would be like.

“Tori may have to have a C-section,” she told ex-husband Matt ahead of Tori’s ultrasound appointment. “I would hope that an average-sized person could push the baby through, whether it’s a little person or average-sized, but you just never know.”

Zach and Tori Roloff’s baby shower served as a temporary distraction from their new fears about how baby Jackson would enter the world. The couple debated about whether or not to tell their guests that they had learned that their son was dwarf, and they ultimately decided against doing so. However, the Roloffs also revealed that they didn’t intend on keeping Jackson’s achondroplasia a secret; it was just their preference to address the questions as they arose instead of making a big announcement about it in front of everyone.

Zach Roloff decided to casually break the news to one of his good friends, Jacob Mueller, over a game of pool. This led to a conversation about how to properly hold an infant and change a diaper, which Zach admitted he’s never done. Mueller demonstrated his technique on his son, who was not happy about being told that it was nap time after his diaper was changed. Watching Mueller interact with his son made Zach worry about how much work goes into taking care of a child.

“They’re needy,” he observed. “My one fear is not being able to be engaged like that.”

During next week’s episode of Little People, Big World, Zach Roloff’s mother will traumatize him by describing what it’s like to have a C-section. You can check it out Tuesday, June 13 at 9 p.m. ET on TLC.

[Featured Image by Tori Roloff/Instagram]