Cleft lip in 12 week scan - can you see it?

[babygidznumber2]

Hey ladies,

I have been obsessing over these pictures from 13 weeks as i feel like i can see a split in the top lip running up the nose in the first, in the second i can see a huge cap, and the third the lips look really pouty (but maybe too much?) Im worrying about cleft lip and possibly pallet.

Can anyone else see what i'm seeing or im I losing the plot a bit 🥴

I wasnt worried until i looked at these photos and i started trying to think about all the things ive bee exposed to, and it's worrying me more because i used a cream with 1%hydrochortisone in it, and i only just remembered today that I was also exposed to pain fumes at work (they painted inside of the room on the weekend that i worked in, and i was probably insode about 4 hours tital per day from the wednesday through to the friday).

All opinions welcome, and if from a ultrasound tech that would be a bonus. Thanks ladies (and gents if there are any here).

[babygidznumber2]

It wont let me add the photo ill try again later and repost

[Tiredismymiddlename85]

They can test for this. If you're really that concerned speak to your midwife and take it from there. You'll get umpteen opinions if you post the picture here and you won't feel any better.

[Chocolatecoffeeaddict]

Stop worrying. 13 weeks is probably too early to see that kind of detail, unless you're a trained professional and even then I'm not sure if they would at that stage. If you have been told the pregnancy is going well and the baby is healthy that's all you need to focus on for now.
Problems with cleft lips can be corrected anyway.

[Pomfluff]

Did you get a 3D/4D scan? At 13 weeks it would be extremely difficult to see details as the baby is only 4-5cm big. Bear in mind that any tiny movement can cause disturbances in the picture so you often end up with random blurring or glitches that aren’t part of the baby.

On one of my later 3D scans (26 or 30wks) it looked exactly like the baby had a cleft lip. However we knew that wasn’t the case since the doctor checked and cleared the baby for cleft lip at the 20weeks organ screening.

[babygidznumber2]

Thank you ladies for all your responses you have definitely put my mind at ease.

I do understand ckeft lip can be fixed but such a daughting prospect knowing your little bubba gas to endure surgeries at such a young age.

I spoke woth two docs and they both said to wait til the 19 week scam, but also said that scans can be very distorted at this point. Im hoping that becUse bubs was moving lots, it has caused distortions around the mouth area.

Still can't add photos for some reason but hapoy to inbox them of anyone would like to take a look
Xoxo

[ConfusedChop]

I wouldn't worry too much just yet, my little boy (now nearly 4) had a cleft lip and pallet which wasn't picked up til my 20 week scan. I'd had a 3D scan at 16 weeks before and they hadn't been able to see anything. But also please don't worry if it is, I know it's a horrible thing to think of your baby to go through but they really do take it in their stride

[babygidznumber2]

Thank you @ConfusedChop . I bet your LO is gorgeous!! Coxo

[evaperonspoodle]

A cleft lip can only be picked up at around 15/16 weeks at the earliest by an expert who is looking for it (and even then it probably isn't very reliable) The majority of ones that are detected antenatally are at the 20 week anomaly scan. I have never, ever heard of a 12 week scan picking it up as it isn't something they are looking for at that stage, so rest assured OP you have not detected any issue. Try to relax and enjoy your pregnancy

[babygidznumber2]

Thanks hun! I don't know why im strssing so much already. If i could pick it up, then the ultrasound tech def would, so it's probably just a glitch. Xox

[babygidznumber2]

Pics x

[babygidznumber2]

Oh yay it let me upload the pics if you're still reading the thread here are the pics xo

[KittensAndCake]

Looks the same as all my 4 kids' scans and they were fine (teenagers now).
I really think you're worrying over nothing. Have a cup of tea and relax ☕️💐

[evaperonspoodle]

I see what you mean about the pouty lips, the baby probably was pouting I still wouldn't worry though. Do you have a family history of cleft lip that is making you think it might be a possibility?

[babygidznumber2]

@evaperonspoodle no family history, but i used a cat C cream (not realising it at the time) in the early months and it was a super low dose plus my doc said it was such a low dose so shouldnt matter, but of course then i saw these ultrasound pics and started stressing! Then started thinking if all the exposures ive had and remembered i was exposed to paint fumes 😭 probably over worrying but i just can't get past the pic that looks like it has a huge split in it. Xo

[babygidznumber2]

@KittensAndCake you are probably right. My doc told me to put the pics away and stop thinking about it. Morphology scan is in a week so lets hope I don't make it drive me too crazy until then. But i will update you when i know for sure x

[keepingbees]

They look completely normal to me. The first pic I think that's a hand up by the face. My youngest had very pouty lips on her first scan, and she does actually have quite full lips (and she pouts a lot )

[babygidznumber2]

@keepingbees aww how cute!! Yes lets hope that's what it is. My 2 year old DD has very define lips (must get it from her dad!) so maybe it's the same. Thank you x

[differentnameforthis]

The photos aren't the best, unfortunately, and to be fair, I wouldn't really know what I was looking for. But can I give some reassurance IF your baby does have a cleft lip?

I have a unilateral cleft lip. I had my first repair at 1 month old (no recollection of) and my last repair at 9 (horrible time, but not because of the surgery. Honestly...my mum left me to wake up alone and didn't visit me for what seemed like ages, the feeling of abandonment is stronger than my memories of the surgery)

Many people don't even see it. Those who have a cleft lip themselves are more likely to be able to tell. I'm in my 40's now. My only other side effect I guess you could call it, was a supernumerary tooth that had to be extracted, but with that, there is nothing to actually link it to the cleft.

These days the surgery and outcome has improved dramatically, so if I have a barely noticeable scar, then I if your baby does have a cleft, I am sure repair will amazing.

What's done is done. Your stressing about this is likely to be worse for the baby than a surgery that they won't remember. Please try not to stress too much, you really won't enjoy your pregnancy if you are worried about something you cannot change.

[babygidznumber2]

@differentnameforthis

First of all, I am SO SORRY you had to go through that type of pain. What a horrible thing to encounter. I can completely understand the feeling if abandonment (for different reasons) and yes it has definitely followed me around my whole life, so i know how bad it hurts. I am so sorry that you had to go through that under those circumstances. I'm not sure if you've reconnected with your mum or not, but whatever happened then has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with her perceptions.

Thank you so much for your response. I will love my buba so much regardless of any aspects of him/her that may not be as expected. I think i mostly worry for two reasons. One the surgeries and all of that additional kind of thing like finding the right team ect, and two, i would find it very hard to forgive myself if it was me who caused something to my bubba. I would feel like i inflicted all of this additional surgeries and potential hearing or speech or any other things that may be particularly linked to cleft palate. Additionally i also worry about bullying.

But it makes me feel much better hearing from you. If my bubba is loved immensley then hopefully we can overcome all these hurdles together. I'm so glad you don't remember your very first surgery, and i'm so sorry that your mum was so distant for the second one.

You are one strong woman, i must say. Very very strong!

Thank you so much for being so open and sharing your story xo

[Demi321]

Hi out of interest what was the outcome? My scan looks like yours and iv been worried sick thank you

[Plustwins2]

Hi, what was your outcome for your little one? I can see a distinctive gap between the nose and lip on my 12 week ultrasound. The sonographer didn't say anything. I dont know if is she was just looking at back of babys neck. I was prescribed antibiotics at 9 weeks. I was hesitant to take them, I returned back to the doctor and was told that I needed to take them. I took 3 tablets overall and kept having a funny feeling about them. Now I see this. I'm stressed that it could of caused a cleft lip.

[PixieDustt]

The sonographers look for a lot more than you think they do.
Try to remain calm. In the nicest way possible if you aren't a sonographer you don't know what you're looking for.
These gaps you are seeing might not even be gaps.
I was convinced I only ever kept seeing DS had 3 fingers on one hand. He was born with 4 fingers and a thumb so I panicked for no reason.

[Bol87]

@Plustwins2 - antibiotics don’t cause cleft lips. Your doctor would not have prescribed you anything unsafe. Ive been taking anti-sickness that is known to slightly increase chances of cleft lip but thankfully my daughter is fine.

I don’t know how anyone can tell anything from scan pics, they are fuzzy & blur the minute the baby moves! I’ve attached one of my later 28 week 4D and my baby looks like she’s missing half her head and her eyes are bizarre! She was born completely healthy & with a full head 😆 it’s not like taking a solid photo on a camera.. it’s not that accurate, you get weird lines and images. Please stop worrying, chances are baby is fine. All you can do is hang fire until a later scan where they will do more checks! Even if your little one does, there is nothing to be done. They’ll be a beautiful baby who’ll have a journey ahead but be perfect to you 🧡

[Kir82]

Can I ask what anti-sickness tablets you were taking? Our little one was diagnosed with a cleft at our 20 week scan last week and having had hyperemesis and being on meds for it, I worry that could be the cause.

[Lemondrop99]

@Kir82 Ondansteron has an incredibly tiny increased risk of cleft lip (and no one is sure if it’s the drug or actually just linked to malnutrition in HG women). Pregnancy Sickness Support have done a lot of work on this lately, if you would like to look into it more.