Baby’s head, abdomen and femur measuring different percentiles

[Ppan12]

I am almost 30 weeks and recently had a growth scan. My baby’s head is measuring over 97th centile, abdomen is 80th centile and femur is 8th centile. Just wanted to check with anyone who had similar measurements and the baby turned out normal at birth. The doctor who saw the report has just suggested another growth scan in 4 weeks but didn’t mention anything about abnormalities. Really anxious and confused what to think. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

I thought this when pregnant too. His abdomen was something like the 70th whilst his length was about the 13th. I remember thinking I was going to give birth to a ball shaped baby lol. It's fine- don't panic.

Thank you for replying prettylittlethingss. It’s so hard not to worry. I am quite short myself and had a big head at birth so it’s probably following in my footsteps. But reading all the horror stuff on Google has got me all riled up !

2 of mine had short femurs and massive head circumferences. I think one was 98 for head. Similar stats to yours I think. All fine and normal. They were large size hats and helmets but you can't tell from looking at them. Both tall, long bodies and slightly shorter legs with their father has too. Have to get short length school tousers and long length school shirts! Again you would never notice from looking at them.

Agree don't panic. If it's first prepare yourself though, those big heads take a bit more oomph to get out ... My two like this I had shoulder dystocias at the births. All fine in the end but might be worth being forewarned and make sure the midwives are keeping an eye near the end if you're short like me.

Thanks Pennox, that puts my mind at ease a bit. I have already been suggested a c section due to baby’s position and now a massive head, so I am mentally preparing myself for that. It’s reassuring to know measurements don’t always mean something could be wrong. I needed to hear that today! :)

I had the same worry (short femur) and she is fine xx

Babies grow head downwards so it's normal for the head to be On a higher centile than the abdomen and the abdomen higher than the femurs

Also they don't always get it right, for various reasons I had to have scans late in pregnancy and was told dd1 was 8.5lb at 39 weeks, she was 6lb3 at birth. Dd2 was measuring a small head small limbs and large abdomen, I had markers for a specific genetic condition - thankfully I kept my nerve and she was fine

Thanks everyone for your replies xx I’ll try not to panic and hope for the best

@Ppan12 hi! Just reading this old thread and I have similar measurements from my last growth scan. Just wondering if you could give me an update on how baby is? Feeling a bit worried!!

Hi MD1604..I had DS via elective c section at 39 weeks and 2 days. His head has always measured over the 90 th centile even now while his weight height are below 50th centile. But he doesn’t look disproportionate at all. As long as there is not a massive change in percentiles, doctors/health visitors are not bothered and have never brought it up. DS did develop seizures on the 5th day but it was found out to be due to low calcium and nothing to do with the head. Proportions don’t really matter that much tbh as long as the baby is healthy otherwise. Hope that helps. Good luck 👍