Lemon shaped Fetal head and

[Lookingtogrowthefamily]

I went for a private reassurance scan this morning, at I’m 17+3. The sonographer said “I’ve found something im
not happy with” and explained that the Fetal head appears lemon shape, and the cerebellum appears unusually elongated.

They are going to refer me to the NHS and it’s just a case of waiting to hear I guess.

Has anyone been through the same? Or can share any info. Thanks x

Daughter had this, she went for another ultrasound 2 weeks later and the head shape was still lemon shaped but still no other signs of anything else. Doctor Consultant said that the lemon shape is something she would say is a normal variation of head shape. My DgD is fine, born healthy, don't worry.

@U0KHun Thanks so much for replying.

I think it’s the waiting that’s the hardest! I’ve seen on different forums that other parents have said the same, about a normal variant of the shape so hoping it’s nothing to worry about.

What was the outcome please with lemon shape x

I was referred to FMU and had another in depth scan where they diagnosed open spina bifida and severe brain malformation. Lemon shape skull and elongated cerebellum were very obvious during the scan and then they found the open spina bifida after baby turned around.

It wasn’t the outcome we had hoped for and had a lot of discussions with the consultant and referred to another consultant to discuss and assess the situation. We made the hardest decision to tfmr and I gave birth to our little boy at almost 19 weeks gestation.

It was awful and he had the most perfect features when he was born but could see the skull wasn’t formed properly at all and we were told it wouldn’t have been likely to make it to term.

I know from reading other posts that lemon shape doesn’t mean the outcome we had but that’s our experience xx

@LookingtogrowthefamilyThank you for answering, I’m so sorry to hear this.
I asked as my daughter also has the lemon shaped head and the next day I went to kings fetal medicine and she was there diagnosed with open spina bifida :(
This was only a few day’s ago and we also made the difficult decision to tfmr in a few days time I’ll be around 20 weeks.
:(

@diamonds2023I’m so sorry to read you’re going through this too, my heart breaks for you 😭💔.

I will say, I’ve found the Tommy’s baby loss support group on Facebook really really helpful. It made me feel less alone by talking to other mums who have been/ were going through it at the same time.

sending you so much love and always happy to chat and talk through anything that’s playing on your mind, i found it helped me or just having a space I can unload my feelings xx

@LookingtogrowthefamilyThank you :(
I’ll have a look at tommys :(

Do you mind me asking how old are you do you think this was an age factor?
I keep thinking that it’s maybe because I’m nearly 40 things start to go wrong and that’s my fault she suffered :(
Did you also find out if you had a low folate level?
I wondered if you took folic acid months before getting pregnant as well or if they gave you any suggestions why this happened :(( x

@diamonds2023I’m 30 and was told it’s just one of those things unfortunately so I wouldn’t say age played a factor and please don’t think it’s anything you did or didn’t do!

I was taking folic acid for around 4/5 weeks before we conceived - well before I had a positive pregnancy test. I was breastfeeding my 16 month old still and conceived so didn’t have a period in between and never expected to fall pregnant so soon which is why I only took it for around a month before. Again with the “one of those things” situations whereby it can still happen even if you take folic acid for the recommended 12 weeks prior to conception. That’s what the consultant told me anyway and maybe it was a way of him trying to make me feel less responsible for what had happened. But I have also read stories from other mums who had been taking pre natal vitamins for months and months before and it still happened to them.

After the termination I organised for my folate and b12 levels to be tested through the GP and both came back completely normal. In fact, she said my folate was 20 and anything above 3 was good. I do believe this was because of the vitamins I was taking whilst pregnant, so my levels were elevated because of them.

I’ve been prescribed the higher 5mg dose of folic acid now and been told to take them for 2 months before trying to conceive again. This was a bit of a battle to get to be honest, and was only prescribed them after I asked for a second option and she spoke to the gynae registrar.

I’ll never know if I could have prevented it, and it’s something that I really tormented myself with to begin with and I was replaying everything in my head wondering “what if”. It’s been 7 weeks now and I’m starting to navigate it all and blame myself less.

Be kind to yourself and know it’s nothing that you did, and didn’t cause her any kind of suffering. Xx

Ok the same for me - I didn’t realise I would get pregnant so fast so had only started conception vitamins a month before.
Yes I also asked for folate levels now but I’m thinking the same they are going to be normal as I have been taking pregnacare since October 🤦🏽‍♀️
I also got hold of the 5g tablets the day after I found out about the diagnosis so have started them already.
im so sorry this happened to you as well, Well done for being so strong so soon after ❤️
Thank you I think that will help speaking to other mums so I will have a look at tommys.
im not looking forward to the birth in a few days it’s very scary x

@diamonds2023sounds exactly like me 😔.

did they say how long you should take the 5mg for before trying again? I thought it would be 3 from what I read on the NHS so curious as to why only 2 has been suggested for me.

The midwives were incredibly caring and we created a memory box after he was born. Is this something you’ve been offered? I won’t lie, it was awful at the time, I was completely destroyed by it all and i couldn’t believe what we were doing but looking back I’m so glad we did. I haven’t been able to look in the box yet but once I’ve found that strength I will, and I’m glad I’ve got it.

I hope you will be ok. Always here and sending you so much love and strength xx

They have told me 3 months but I would prefer to only wait 2… I will have my levels checked though just to see if my body is actually absorbing.
It gives me comfort that you say that - As also can not believe what I’m doing - But Im sure after I will think I’m glad I did it and made the right decision.

Thank you - Today is the dreaded day where I take the first tablet :(

Ah ladies I am very sorry to read this thread and all you are going through xx sending comforting hugs xx

Thinking of you @diamonds2023xx

thank you @something2say❤️❤️

Thank you both.

i came home yesterday from the hospital after saying the hardest goodbye of my life.
Baby was born sleeping ❤️
im very heartbroken but I know it was the best decision for her to not come into this world and suffer 💔

Sending you so much love @diamonds2023. It’s horrendous, I know how you’re feeling but you’ve been incredibly brave and strong, even if you don’t feel like that right now. You’ve taken on the lifetime of pain of this decision but saved her any pain and suffering xx

I know thank you, I hope you are ok too ❤️
Did you a manage to see the open spina bifida on the back once born?
I think that really helped me to see with my own eyes the wound, And the Head shaped differences xx

I could see the head difference as the tiny hat they put on him had shifted. I didn’t look at his back, although the midwife did say it could be seen. Not sure why, I think at the time I just wanted to see his features and take them in as he looked perfect and just like my first son. Knowing they were present did give comfort (if that’s even the right word), to knowing we made the right decision xx

So sorry i also had experience with congenital defect with same outcome. The way i think of it is it's a miracle most outcomes are GOOD considering how random the process is. I doubt anything would have changed it. I tried again and got a wonderful child in the end but will never forget my first born. Good luck and take care of yourself.