Clenched hands + single vessel on USS

[Newfamily2014]

At my 20 week scan all was well other than finding of single umbilical cord vessel. Instead on mumsnet and got some fantastic advice.

I'm now 23 weeks (almost 24) pregnant and just had a private growth scan.

Growth perfect but found baby had clenched fists. Did open at one point but not enough to make the consultant happy. Anyone else had this? Thinking the worst..

[Gizmo2206]

If they opened even for a short amount of time surely this would mean baby has ability to open them?

[Newfamily2014]

Yes gizmo that's true. I'm not sure if it was only one hand or both.

[KittyandTeal]

My dd2 had clenched hands, they spent ages watching them. She opened one a little bit.

She had T18 and had clenched fists when she was born. However, they also picked up huge brain anomolies, heart defects, frozen arms and a strawberry skull. My hormone levels from 12 weeks were also all over the place. Oh and she was under 5th centile on growth chart (dd1 was 98th centile)

I'd be very surprised if there was a major problem that hadn't been picked up by now but it might be worth asking your hospital for another growth/anomaly scan

[Newfamily2014]

Thanks for your reply kittyandTeal and I'm sorry to hear your dd2 had T18.

I agree with you that if there was a chromosomal abnormality I would have thought that other signs would be there, which other than the single vessel, is not present. I'm also reassured by the normal growth as every time I read about chromosomal abnormalities it says that the babies are small in size, do you agree with that?

I have an appointment with the fetal consultant next week and they will do another USS then, so fingers crossed baby has opened their hands at that scan. X

[Hopefullyhoping]

Our baby had T13. She was slightly small overall although not significantly so but her head measured considerably smaller which was a big marker. Several other major abnormalities were also detected, some of which she actually had and some that she didn't. If we have learned anything, it's that scans really are not an exact science

[KittyandTeal]

Apparently most trisomy babies are small, however, like hopefully says, the head to abdomen ratio says more.

A marker is small head compared to abdomen (if I recal rightly)

I'm absolutely sure that a major defect would have been picked up by now

[Newfamily2014]

Thank you kitty and hopefully it's so useful to get advice from other mums, real people rather than websites etc.
kitty I think you were the lovely mum who reassured me when I posted about having a single umbilical vessel, thanks for getting in contact again.
The shock was that we went for the growth scan and from that point of view everything was fine and this hands finding is something new so it just feels like every time we have an appointment something is raised that causes worry.
I have the hospital appointment on Thursday at the fetal medicine unit and I am keeping everything crossed my baby is waving their hands! If not I might/will be offered an amino.
Other than the chromosomal abnormality (which I agree with you both is surely very unlikely with other significant findings, which by 23 weeks surely would have been evident) I was told the other thing it could be is a disability, but they couldn't give me a proper name or condition. I can't think of a condition that would only affect hands as we saw baby moving arms freely and I feel punches from the baby.
Seems a lot of worry but I have the feeling my baby is fine xx

[Hopefullyhoping]

I can certainly empathise with something new to worry about at every appointment. For us it felt like each appointment would bring something different and whatever had been picked up last time would seem not to be an issue ant more. I've probably said this before but if we learned anything it was that scans are not an exact science. Hopefully you can get to Thursdays appointment without too much angst. Is that your first appointment with fetal medicine?

[Newfamily2014]

That's exactly my situation hopefully and I understand what you say about USS not being an exact science and it only show things at that snap shot in time.

Yes, Thursday will be my first encounter with fetal medicine. If I hadn't of had the private growth scan and waited until the NHS one at 30 weeks I wonder if I would have been sent to them.

I'm not sure if it's more of less reassuring that I am seeing fetal medicine later into my pregnancy. I wonder how many people are referred at my stage (24 weeks) or do parents mostly get referred earlier?

I'm trying to stay strong and positive but Thursday can't come quick enough.

[Hopefullyhoping]

We were referred at 21 weeks and I think that's a pretty common sort of time. Fetal medicine seem to deal a lot with issues identified at 20 week scans I think. We were told to prepare for a wait when we got there because they deal in the non routine and can't always run to time. Sometimes we had a longer wait than others but I always took my sweets and kindle just in case. We also found it useful to go with a written list of questions because we found we would be given so much information that we might forget what we wanted to ask.

[Newfamily2014]

Thanks for the tips hopefully I'll do the same.
The crazy thing is the 20 week scan was fine and the sonographer just said that we would have a scan at 30 weeks just to check growth but not concerned. I was the one who booked the private growth scan and now wondering if I should have done, but I can't change things now.
I'm trying to stay strong in front of my husband as he is very worried but as the day get closer to Thursday I am feeling more and more anxious.
I can feel lots of kicks and importantly punches so my baby can clearly use their hands and arms well!

[Hopefullyhoping]

It's easy to question every decision we ever made when things are stressful but I'd be glad you booked your own scan, better that you get this sorted and put out of your mind before 30 weeks if you can. I'd day try and share your worries with your husband to a point if you can, it really helped us. Glad to hear that you are feeling plenty of kicks and punches, that's a really good sign. Is your appointment on Thursday morning or afternoon?

[Newfamily2014]

Hello hopefully the appointment is in the afternoon and I will be going alone as it's very hard for my husband to get time off of work. I don't mind really and in a funny way perhaps it will be better to go alone. I will keep you posted. Yes, I guess you are correct that it is better to get things sorted (and hopefully the all clear) before potentially finding out at 30 weeks (although it might not be there at 30 weeks!) x

[Hopefullyhoping]

Wishing you all the luck in the world tomorrow. I really hope that the appointment arrives without stress and that you are given reassuring news

[Newfamily2014]

Thank you very much hopefully counting down the time now..will keep you posted xx

[Hopefullyhoping]

My fingers are crossed. But not my toes as the children I teach say it doesn't work if you do both!

[Hopefullyhoping]

Brilliant I'm so so pleased. What a relief. If only you could have a glass of wine to celebrate!

[Sometimesithinkimbonkers]

I hope you are well. My DS was born with a rare gene mutation and he had clenched fists. We have used Lycra therapy and it's much improved! Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy X