Really regret getting my 3d ultrasounds - short femur length

[Mumzee2b]

I was happily pregnant until I went to do a 3d ultrasound at 29 weeks at a private clinic. Baby was in an awkward position but I got to see her cute little face a little bit, however the sonographer said that her femurs looked a bit short. She measured them and they were 1 week behind (12th percentile), head was 46th percentile. She produced a report saying everything looked normal and all measurements within the normal range, but that didn't stop my mind from spiralling out of control. I went home, checked my maternity notes and could see that baby's femurs measured in the 30th percentile and head was 50-something at the 20 week NHS scan, I did some research and then calmed down eventually. Went to a different clinic at 30weeks to see if we could get a better picture, baby was in an awkward position and asleep again, but did manage to get some lovely pictures and videos. Although this sonographer also said that everything looked fine, she did make a comment asking if I've had any NHS growth scans (I haven't). I didn't dare to ask why she was asking this, wish I had and tonight my mind is going crazy. I'm analysing every single picture of my baby and the 2d scans from these 2 3d sessions show her forehead is kinda bossing and now I'm so worried she has dwarfism or something else and I can't calm down.

Even though it was lovely to see my baby I wish I'd never gone to do these scans, all these measurements and comments were totally unsolicited (NHS are looking after me ffs!) I just wanted to see my baby. My 28wk fundal measurement was in the 30th percentile and although it indicates a smaller baby, my midwife wasn't concerned and neither was I! My next appointment is next week.

Excuse the long rant, I just wanted to get this off my chest as don't want to share this with my partner and get him starting to worry too. I've attached a 2d picture from the 30week scan.

Just want to cry from all this stress

Wouldn’t you want to know if there is an issue though? The people doing the private scans are qualified and are probably obligated to tell you.
You have had 2 private scans now where they questioned growth so if it was me I would 100% mention it at the next appointment. All the best.

And how big is your head / your DH head & femurs compared to average? I was continually told we had our dates wrong despite the fact we only had one date it could possibly be after (due to DH being away for work) , and they were trying to say she was 2-3 weeks older, this was based on head size and body length with my eldest - because she took after DH with a big head size to the extent she struggles to get riding hats to fit as most shops stock smaller only, and a long body, but she was actually quite scrawny at birth being 6lb 8.

It would be worthwhile getting this checked. I would call your midwife to discuss whether you should have an NHS growth scan.

A private company identified an abnormality in a relative’s baby (completely different as it was very clearly stated there was a brain abnormality) and when the baby was born it turned out to be have been right and there was a very severe learning disability. There is obviously nothing like that here, but it does show it can be worth checking anything out which private companies raise.

Antenatal Results and Choices - ARC are an amazing charity and will support you with your feelings around this scanning if that would help. They have a helpline and volunteers are trained to support people where concerns are flagged and while waiting for further scans.

This happened to me. Femur went from 50th percentile to 8th over the third trimester. Babies short but not a dwarf.

He’s 2 now, perfect wee thing, 10th percentile for height. And when we look at DP and I - we do actually have quite short femurs and are very long torsoed instead. DP is 6ft 3 and was very short also when young. Shot up over a summer when 16. So it might have been a build thing. Might have been a low pap-a thing. Might have been that I was apparently supposed to have been taking Apspirin which no one told me until final consultation before birth where they told me to stop taking it now. 🤷‍♀️

We will have to wait 14 years or so to find out

I was also told extremely short femur at NHS 20 wk scan - 4th centile.

He’s now 5 and tall for his age.

Try not to worry; although impossible, I know

My baby’s femur measurements caused me no end of tears during my pregnancy. We were an IVF pregnancy so I knew my exact dates and due to my age we were on regular growth scans throughout the pregnancy. Every scan both private and NHS all showed baby’s femur length as behind due date/small in comparison to other measurements. Each femur scan varied but the lowest was 8th percentile, with head measurement as big as 86th percentile. Like you I had visions of dwarfism, I questioned this several times with both sonography and midwife who told me there was nothing to worry about and an issues with the measurements would be immediately flagged.
I would google and cry for hours after each scan thinking the worst, my partner used to go mad as he used to say all I was doing was causing myself unnecessary stress.
Myself and my partner are not short so it was a shock to hear.
Baby was born perfectly average and no little legs or big head. At birth he was 25th percentile and at his 5 week check up at increased to 50th percentile for all weight, height and head circumference.

His cousin is 9 weeks older and many people have commented there’s not much difference in their length.
Try not to worry as the scan measurements are an estimation, I was also told he would weight 8.6 or above due to the measurements, he was 7.3oz born.

We also got told this and now I have an 8 year old who is slightly taller than average and appears to be entirely legs. My husband and I both have quite long torsos and my little girl seemed to be all torso til about year 1 when she just stretched.

The sonographers also told us our younger child would have a full head of hair (born with a tiny mullet and completely bald on top) and would be 4+kg (she was 3kg) - try not to worry!!

Exactly the same thing happened with my first DC.

They are an absolutely perfect, but very petite 10 year old now. I’m very short, must have just inherited my legs!

I think the problem is that an obstetric ultrasound is a medical investigation. It is not there "just for you to see your baby", it's not entertainment. Even in the private sector, it is trained healthcare professionals who conduct the scans according to best practice guidelines which are set by professional organisations. They can't just wave the probe around and then send you off without doing the necessary checks - imagine if there was a huge issue and you hadn't been made aware of it? They are healthcare professionals and their job and duty is to provide healthcare services.

Same thing happened to us! Femurs measured 3rd centile on all scans and I had around 7 growth scans from 12-38 weeks, all consistent. All the way through he was measuring 1-2 weeks ahead for head / abdomen and 2 weeks behind for femur. My partner and I, and our oldest child, are all very tall so it made no sense. But baby was born full term at 50th centile for length and is now a toddler at 75th centile for height! It caused me so so much stress during pregnancy. Like you I was imagining the worst. But in the end it meant nothing! My dad is tall with surprisingly short legs and a big head and we reckon baby inherited his proportions 😆

Oh also, sorry I misread your initial post. 30th centile femurs and 50th centile head is absolutely normal! My first had 25th centile femurs and 70th centile head and he's completely normal (and off the charts for height). My second baby had 3rd centile femurs and I really worried, but again completely fine and not a dwarf, in fact quite tall.