Terrified 20 week scan and short femurs

[Mrs777]

Has anyone got any experience with this? Had my scan today and everything is fine all measurements and heart etc but the femurs are measuring the 3rd percentile. I’ve to have another scan (bone) one tomorrow.

I had growth scans (ironically due to worrying my baby might be big, which could have caused me difficulty due to an existing condition) and my baby was found to be small, in particular the femur length. Head on higher percentiles, abdomen was mid centiles (from what i remember). I googled and panicked.

I was offered doppler scans and was told blood flow through the umbilical cord was not great. Was very closely monitored and was induced at 36 weeks eventually. He was an IUGR NICU baby but is now a perfectly sized and very bright 6 year old! I'm not minimising the terror you're feeling, I remember it well. I have everything crossed for you.

P.S. I did see a midwife in between all my scans who looked at me and my mum and asked 'Is there any reason you think your baby should have supermodel long femurs when you two have such short legs?!' I must admit, that was a (probably a bit harsh, but true) wake up call!

thinking of you!

Thank you, I’m glad your wee one is doing well and it all worked out well. I really hope we are the same.

@Mrs777 Thinking of you. Just remember, there are lots of reasons why baby can have a shorter femur (if the scan is even accurate, which often they aren't!) and not all the reasons are the terrifying things our minds are immediately drawn to.

The good thing is, now that something has been picked up, you will be monitored a lot more closely so you and your baby are in good hands x

NIPT was 1-10000 for all 3 I’m so so relieved.
As I declined the nhs amnio they want to scan me this week, I am anxious to go incase it’s more stress and worry, the unintentional fear mongering is a lot to deal with.

Hey OP any update with your NIPT? The worry never stops I feel there's always something to stress about I'm a disaster for stressing 🙄 I had the NIPT done at 11 weeks and am now 21 and keep telling myself I should have got it done more, and maybe at 15 or 16 weeks. The thoughts of something being wrong always win unfortunately for me! Hope all goes well for you x

Yes NIPT was 1-10000 for all 3 I’m so so relieved.
As I declined the nhs amnio they want to scan me this week, I am anxious to go incase it’s more stress and worry, the unintentional fear mongering is a lot to deal with. I know what you mean about the constant worry. I need to try to enjoy this now it’s been crazy, after losses and this stress.

That's great news!! I know its all so worrying.im the same it never bloody stops 🙈

Hi I was just wondering what the latest is for you ? I had the 20 week scan and femur is 6% head 28% and tummy 46% . They have referred me to Fetal med and having a scan in just under 2 weeks time. Im a nervous wreck. I have read lots of reassuring stories but still a constant worry. I will be 41 on expected delivery. My NHS tests were the lowest risk they can be and nothing else came back on the scan but still worried. I am 5”3 and partner 5”10 so not massive so trying not to worry but I have spiralled xxx

@Joleyjojo the latest is that OP is low risk on NIPT and will have a scan this week.

I tell you what, my baby is 30% for femur, 48% for abdomen and 85% for head measurements. I’m 37 weeks and I’ll have a scan tomorrow. I’m low risk for all syndromes. So similar to OP although not as low percentile.

I’m close to the end of my pregnancy and I’ll update this thread when I find out more about the scan tomorrow as well as how things turn out when my baby is born. I don’t mean to hijack but I think it will be beneficial for there to be a few examples on this thread of how babies with short femurs turn out.

So, these are my measurements (down from last time) but they’re not too concerned. There’s only a matter of mm between 50th and 25th percentiles. They say they’ll deliver in week 38 to be safe but they’re not worried and neither am I. Just thought I’d update in case it was reassuring.

Scan went well although smaller he’s in “normal” range now. Thank god. That was a horrendous 3/4 weeks.

I have another scan in a weeks time it’s been a long 2 weeks. How far into normal are you now? Do you think it was a scanner error the first time ? X