Short Long Bones

[Sdtwifey77]

Anyone else have similar issues in their pregnancies? Please share any story good or bad. Every since my 18 week ultrasound , I was referred to have level 2 ultrasounds, to measure babies growth & to make sure there was no form of skeletal dysplasia. Now I am 33 weeks & her long bones are still behind. Head, and abdomen are normal but her bones are like 4 weeks behind. They say no other signs in US are pointing to DS or Dwarfism. But the doc says to be prepared for baby to have dwarfism "just in case" that way its not a surprise at birth?? how come they cant just tell me yes or no??! Its so confusing. She is growing at a slower pace but is increasing not stopping growth completely. Someone please give me advice here!! I currently have to get a growth scan every single week until she comes now !

 

[Sdtwifey77]

Oh & I haven't had them mention anything about IUGR ?? I just had to google that term bc I had never heard of it.. She has been in the 5th percentile and now is in 1 percentile?? that's super scary to me ... can anyone give me some advice here??!!

 

[Matilda85]

I think ultrasounds are notoriously inaccurate. With my first, we were told at his twelve week scans his long bones in his legs looked far too short and that it increased risk for down syndrome. From memory, they always continued behind for the pregnancy. he was born 3 weeks early, 75% for height and these days (he's 3) is 98% for height and has crazy long legs. I always joke with my husband that I wish we could go back to the ultrasound lady and show him to her.

Wishing you all the best with the next few weeks/months. pregnancy is such a scary time. Given there are no other signs I think you'll be fine.

 

[Sdtwifey77]

I think ultrasounds are notoriously inaccurate. With my first, we were told at his twelve week scans his long bones in his legs looked far too short and that it increased risk for down syndrome. From memory, they always continued behind for the pregnancy. he was born 3 weeks early, 75% for height and these days (he's 3) is 98% for height and has crazy long legs. I always joke with my husband that I wish we could go back to the ultrasound lady and show him to her.

Wishing you all the best with the next few weeks/months. pregnancy is such a scary time. Given there are no other signs I think you'll be fine.

I really am trying not to worry myself crazy here. It's really hard when one doctor says yes, and the other says no! I am praying & i know that God has a plan for her regardless of her size. Big or Little & she is mine , i will love her no matter what !!

 

[Jessicahide]

I think as long as her life is not in danger try not to panic, she might just be little.... I think they are just covering their bases by telling you to be prepared xxx I am sure there would be other soft markers especially as you are having so many extra scans xxx No very helpful i know but like you said she is yours little or not

 

[twinkletots]

My middle daughters femurs measured short and she does have Down's syndrome but her measurements were off the scale at <1st percentile.
She is now a dinky, healthy and amazing three year old.
I'm sure you have nothing to worry about but either way you will love your baby x

 

[Sdtwifey77]

I really appreciate the responses! And yes since I have growth scans every single week now, I'm sure they would have something else pointing towards an issue like that. The specialist even said no other signs besides shorter limbs, just wanted some mommies opinions and hearing it's gonna be okay. Thanks again!!

 

[twinkletots]

You could also have a late amniocentesis if you wanted more reassurance? As you are later into your pregnancy, the risk of preterm labour is less of an issue x

 

[sethsmummy]

my sons thigh bones were quite behind.. he was just born little and has stayed small for his age but nothing extreme x

 

[minties]

Both of my kids had short thigh bones, I think Sophie's were about 3 weeks behind the rest of her body. Both normal kids. They were on the shorter side at birth and as babies, but both are average height now.

With this baby I have the opposite, he thighs are on the 79th centile and I don't know why! I'm under 5 feet tall and my OH is 5'6" so would be weird to have a long baby.

 

[3babesforme]

my baby's femurs were measuring behind.. they never mentioned anything about skeletal dysplasia only Down Syndrome. i had NIPT testing done which showed a clean bill of health

 

[misspriss]

DS's thigh bones measured 2 weeks behind his head. He was born at 33 weeks (ultrasound dated according to early US and thigh bones late ultrasound) but his head measured 35 weeks (which coincides with when we DTD). I think he had undiagnosed IUGR due to my pre-eclampsia and I was really 35 weeks, but it doesn't much matter now as he's 3 and suffers no ill effects. I had no 20 week scan with DS, just a dating scan at 6 weeks (ish, could have easily been 8 since we saw the heartbeat super early for an abdominal scan) and a scan right before he was born at 33 (or 35?) weeks.

He is small though, but I'm short and DH is average height.