33 weeks - baby has short long bones (Fl & TL)

[Paloma11]

Hello,

I'm looking for some advice or reassurance please as I'm driving myself sick with worry.

At 20 weeks baby's growth was absolutely normal but it did show I have an accessory placenta lobe (basically a smaller placenta attached to the main one). I was told it was nothing to worry about but they would do another scan at 32 weeks to check the position.
My screening for downs syndrome, Edwards' syndrome or Patau's all came back very low risk too.

At my 32 week scan it was picked up that my baby's FL and TL were under the 5th percentile and was referred to FMU for a further scan. All other measurements are fine.

At my 33 week scan just gone it showed the FL and HL are now under the 3rd percentile, placenta(s) seems to be working ok and all other measurements are are normal.
The baby had a very in depth scan and consultant couldn't find any other signs for dwarfism or downs syndrome but she had to advise me short long bones are a hard marker for both. She also said my baby could just be petite.... I'm 5'3 and partner is 5'6.

I've been offered an amino test "so I can enjoy the rest of my pregnancy if its negative" but I'm too scared of the procedure and the result.
Now I feel like I've been left to worry and I'm crying daily which I know isn't good for the baby.

Does anyone have any experience of this or something similar? What was the outcome and how are your babies?

No experience but just wanted to send a handhold.

No experience either but if they are saying that baby could be just Petite and you are 5'3", it really could be just that

Hiya - I don't have anything to tell you specifically from experience, but I'm also a little worried about baby's measurements. She has a large head and abdominal circumference but short femurs. The doctors weren't worried about this but it didn't stop me googling. My partner and I are average height, but both our mums are very short. The measurements can really set you off into a spin. It sounds very likely that you and your partner would have a smaller baby. Hope you are able to relax and that it's all okay - it sounds like it will be, due to your low chance results earlier in the pregnancy.
I'm not sure if you can do it this late (I don't see why not?) but have you thought of looking into the Harmony test? I had this at 11 or 12 weeks and got a low chance score - and it actually looks at the baby's DNA in your blood. Just a thought - there might be another option?
Good luck xx

@Mimiwish thank you, that’s reassuring. I hope both our babies are just on the small side and can catch up once they are out
Have you been referred to FMU because of your babies measurements too?
I’ve just had a look at the Harmony Test, is this different to the blood test which the NHS offer at around 11 weeks X

Experience here and baby is now 11 months. Baby was born healthy after lots of worry, scenario pretty much identical to yours. Baby had slightly bowed legs which affected the measurements taken. Being monitored until 5 yrs but no issues so far.

No advice but handhold for you both. It could just be that your baby is small and getting accurate measurements is tricky especially at your stage of pregnancy.
I'm 5'2 and DP says 5'8 but he's more 5'6 and although our DS wasn't picked up to be small he's a very dinky 16 month old. He's very petite. His cousin who is 3 months younger is already taller than him! Good luck x

@paloma11 - yes, I believe it's different. The NHS blood tests, iirc, look at your PAPP-A and HCG, and this combined with the nuchal results and age give you a risk score. The Harmony test is different because it literally looks at your baby's DNA, and a good Harmony result overrides the NHS scores (ours was about 1 in 390 through the NHS-style tests, but 1 in 10,000 through Harmony). We paid to do the Harmony test privately but it was part of a wider scan package so I can't tell you the cost on its own (a Google suggests around the £300-£400 mark). I wasn't referred to the FMU; but then again, I haven't been seen by the NHS at all until recently, when I transferred over from Private. If you are particularly worried about the trisomies, the Harmony test will give you a pretty good indication without any invasive testing. However, there are some things it doesn't detect that the amnio can test for. But, remember that all your scans have looked good!
Sending calming vibes xx

@GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat thank you! that’s really reassuring too! I’m struggling to find many people who have had a similar experience. The FMU confirmed babies legs aren’t bowed but hopefully I’ll have a similar experience to you.
I hope this question isn’t too direct but was your baby’s noticeably short/different at birth? I’m not sure what I should prepare myself for x

The bowed legs weren’t picked up on the scan either, it was when they had the paediatrician check after birth. No nothing noticeable, baby was on the petite side at birth (but not worryingly so) but definitely very chunky and caught up since. People who don’t know, can’t tell, the difference was/is that slight but it clearly made a difference during the scans. Referral to a specialist hospital also didn’t clarify anything during pregnancy which was frustrating.

I hope things turn out well for you and your baby too.

Don't have an experience in this but going through a similar situation. Baby is measuring very small from his gestational stage and also has unilateral Talipes. They offered me an amnio at 31 weeks and told me I could choose to terminate the pregnancy if it shows chromosomal or any other defects. I kept crying for days. It was impossible for me to go through that invasive test and then to decide something like that at such a late stage in my pregnancy. Since then they scan him every 10 days to see the progress but it has not been great. They have told me that we somehow have to make it to 37 weeks so that they can induce me and take the baby out. I fee that they have given me a good clinical care; scanning me every 10 days and keeping me updated. But I also feel that they sometimes can be very heartless and don't really care about a mother's feelings. My doctor talks to us about facts point blank and then shows us the door as she has nothing else to say. She is apparently a great doctor but has no empathy or maybe does not know how to deal with people. We are almost scared of asking her a lot of questions. I feel that there is no concern for a pregnant woman's mental well-being generally. Just my opinion and what I have gone through. I am sorry if it offends anyone.

Try not to worry- if you're both small then that could be why. We had a hellishly worrying pregnancy for quite a few reasons but when she arrived she was perfect, on the small side but made up for that in weeks. The monitoring these days is SO thorough that mums worry about everything that women 50 years ago didn't even know to worry about.

I have personally know many people who had very worrying things flagged in the third trimester which then turned out to be fine. Obviously I can't say for sure that your baby will be completely "normal" but it's definitely not a foregone conclusion that it won't be.

Good luck xxx

PS just remembered one of my friends was sent for a scan for dwarfism when she was in pre labour (now quite a funny memory) and her baby was not a dwarf!

Different situation here - DT2’s legs dropped to 5th centile at my 28 week scan. Consultant wasn’t worried. At 32 week scan, legs were just below 5th centile, again no one was worried (looking back I’m amazed but they said it was because we were both short).

At 35+1 I felt really unwell and my midwife encouraged me to go in again for a check up. DT2 had stopped moving and I had an emcs there and then. He was 3.5lb and his twin was 4.5lb. He had undiagnosed IUGR and a very rare endocrine condition - they’re not sure if that caused the IUGR or the other way around.

I obviously couldn’t tell he wasn’t moving because his twin was so active. I’m not trying to worry you at all but I would definitely keep a very close eye on movements and if you’re at all concerned about reduced or frenzied movements, don’t hesitate to go and get checked out. They sent my placenta off for testing but nothing showed up. We have idea why it happened.

@GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat - I was looking at getting an appointment at a specialist hospital too but maybe I won't bother.. I have a feeling they will just say the same thing as FMU.

Sorry! one last question! Was your baby also measuring under 1% percentile for FL and TL... or was it just FL?

I really appreciate all the advise you have given me so far :)

@MnM156 - Our consultant was very direct and quite cold too. Although she said in her medical opinion she didn't think the baby had any chromosomal issues she sill terrified me with all the information on what could be the cause of the short FL and TL and offering the amino to confirm. I'm dreading my next scan with her to be honest.

We have decided not to go for an amino either as the pregnancy is too far along. I really hope the next week weeks go quickly for you. I am also having a planned Caesarean and I'm just learning to accept that I probably won't know whats going on with our baby until he/she is put in my arms.

Best of luck to you xx

@Paloma11
Our consultants are seem very similar. I hope things go well for you as well. We are kind of in the same boat. We wouldn't know for sure what is happening till we have him in our arms. Till then I am praying day and night for his wellbeing and I am sure you are too. My next scan is on Friday. I will be thinking of you and your baby then. All the best!!!

A handhold, I was told this and dd was petite, she's an adult now, still shorter than average (5'1) but plays semi pro rugby!

Ps upside was those 0-3 months clothes everyone give you last until around 7 months old. Her sister was also small, but did grow taller by adulthood

@Paloma11 Sorry I know this post is from a few years ago but can I ask what was the outcome for your baby? Going through the same myself at the minute.

My son is turning two in a couple of weeks and is absolutely perfect with no health problems whatsoever. His legs don’t look out of proportion at all and compared to toddlers his age he’s average height. He weighed 7 pounds at birth (c section 40 weeks) so a tiny bit on the smaller side but that’s all.
On reflection I’m upset at how much my consultants scared me into thinking something could be seriously wrong but I also understand that they have to cover themselves at all times and mention everything that could be possible.

The lack of control over these things is heartbreaking but I would recommend discussing birthing options with your consultant to give you a sense of control. I opted for a c section so there wasn’t any unexpected surprises, paediatric doctor was in the theatre with me and I could mentally prepare myself for the unknown.
I understand how stressful it is and there’s no point me saying ‘don’t worry’ but I hope my reply gives you some comfort x

@Paloma11 thank you so so much for replying, it really has made me feel so so much better. We have our follow up on Wednesday at the FMU and hoping baby is just small like it’s parents, I am 5’2 and husband is 5’8. We also had all the screenings come back clear and aren’t aware of any other markers on our growth scan for a genetic disorder but assuming this will be checked at the FMU. Just such a scary time and my head has gone to very worrying places but trying to stay positive that all other measurements are fine just arms (6th percentile) and legs (<3rd percentile) are small. Really hoping we have the same outcome as you!

Hi I’m in a similar situation, and worried sick is everything okay with baby

Hi I’m in the same situation and very worried is everything okay with baby

@Mummyhttt Hi! Not sure if the reply was for me but I wanted to message back as I know how worrying the situation is. From 32 weeks we were told the femurs were small and it could be a wide range of things and honestly they scared the life out of us. For the next 8 weeks the legs grew and went up to the 12th percentile by week 39. I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy on Thursday, he is totally healthy, in complete proportion and actually has quite long legs, already too long for the one month old sleepsuits!!!! Not sure what your situation is but I just want to reassure you that the scans are not always right. Hope everything goes well for you!

Thank you for your reply hun, much appreciated I’m in the exactly same situation as you was I’m worried sick there are no other markers except only the furmers are coming up a little short. They referred me to a Consultant at 31 weeks he said it’s too late for an Amnio as i am close to delivery and risks are involved.

Hi everyone, just wondering if anyone’s going through similar experience? Basically at 20 week scan (had to be done in two days as baby kept moving loads and stayed in unsuitable position for measuring) baby’s long bones measured short- just under 3rd percentile plus they’ve found suspected VSD (hole in the heart). Few weeks later attended fetal medicine unit where scan’s been done again and both defects confirmed, however heart problem according to cardiologist isn’t a big issue as the hole is small and most likely will close up itself in future. Apparently VSD is relatively common in babies. At the end of scan we were given diagnosis- VSD and short long bones. But then, once the doctor read the report out, we felt extremely emotionally distressed as it said because of two confirmed defects and us(parents) being quite tall increased risk of genetic abnormality is present. However they couldn’t say what the possibility was and anything we asked was answered very vaguely with lots of uncertainty. We were offered amniocentesis but decided against it as it’s too invasive. Plus I’ve had my combined screening at 12 week scan that come back with very low chance of genetic disorders. All its been is a smooth journey in pregnancy up to that scan when it all went downhill. Will have to attend another scan in two weeks to check baby’s growth and already feeling extremely anxious about it. Is anyone in the same or similar boat as me?