2nd Trimester

6 toes on both feet at 20wk ultrasound! Freaking out!!!!!!

Today has been a VERY upsetting day for me. I had to have a level II ultrasound at a maternal fetal medicine doctor because a small choriod plexus cyst was seen on my 18 week ultrasound. My prayers were answered and the cyst is no longer there as predicted by my doctor. But the ultrasound tech today tells me my baby has an extra big toe on both of his feet. I cried the remainder of the ultrasound. I am not a superficial person so please do not think that. It is just very upsetting to learn your baby has a "birth defect". Also they said there was some fluid in one of the kidneys but also that this is very common in boys. The Dr. then went on to dicuss the option of me having an amniocentesis to check for down syndrome. I am 27, this is my first baby, and there is no history of any genetic disorders in my family or baby's father's side. Also no history of the polydactyly on either of our sides, so not sure where these extra little toes are coming from. Any words of wisdom or advice would be greatly appreciated! Please help me ease my mind!!!

Has anyone ever had this finding on one of your ultrasounds or know of anyone who has?

Does anyone know if there is a possibility the ultrasound tech was not correct in the counting of the toes? (It's hard for me to decipher those images and they didn't give me a picture of the feet otherwise I would post)

Any advice about the fluid in the kidney and getting the amniocentesis?

Thank You!!

Re: 6 toes on both feet at 20wk ultrasound! Freaking out!!!!!!

  • Omg I was sort of worried about my baby having six toes because my hubby was born with six toes (and had the extra pinky removed). We could not get a real good fix on baby's feet. Mrslalabug is right though. It's not a big deal
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  • I'm sorry you had such a rough scan.  I agree with others about the extra digit; it can <likely be> easily be removed post delivery when LO is ready for the surgery.  It may end up just being a blip on your radar.

    Regarding the amnio, I would ask your MFM if s/he is merely trying to r/o the most common trisomies (13, 18, 21) or if he s/he actually wants to see the entire chromosome array which would would require a karyotype via amnio.  An amnio will also look at more than just fetal chromosomes, which people often forget.  If they only want to r/o the most common trisomies I would inquire about doing  a cell free fetal DNA test.  The only issue is that it would likely have to be rushed in case you also want to do an amnio post receiving those results.

    While I can't give advice on your personal case, I'm happy to discuss anything genetics or testing related (I'm a molecular geneticist by education) in a PM.

    Hope you're feeling a bit better
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  • I had the Verifi DNA testing. It was the only one my doc suggested as she felt it was the most accurate in detecting DS that was NOT invasive. You might want to see if your insurance will cover that first.

    As far as the toes - those can always be removed if need be. Definitely a workable issue, although I understand your knee-jerk reaction to it.

    Hang in there - it will be ok! :)

     

     

     

  • The amnio is a choice you will have to make for yourself and your partner. I had one done with my first pregnancy. Thankfully the result were what we wanted to hear. It was nice to talk to the genetic counselor and specialist beforehand though too. It was not as scary as it seems, but like I said that is a choice you will have to make.

    The techs are trained pretty well so I would assume they were correct. It is hard whenever anything is "wrong" with your child. The helpless feeling you have as a mommy. I am guessing they would be able to remove them with a fairly simple procedure, not like that sounds fun either. :(

    Hopefully everything works out and the rest of your pregnancy is easy.


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  • My good neighbor growing up was born with six toes on each foot. She had the extras removed surgically. It was not a big deal. And as my husband likes to tote out, as random trivia knowledge, the trait for six toes per foot actually is a dominant allele! Go figure! It just has become a rare trait to find, but it is perfectly natural. It's a trait, just like hitchhiker's thumb, or earlobes that are attached, that kind of thing.

    Good luck. Talk to your OB. Try not to stress.
                          
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  • Aww, I'm sorry for what you're going through right now... When I'm feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, fear, or disappointment, it really helps me to sit and talk with a friend about. Even venting those feelings to someone can really help. Do you have anyone you could talk through this with?

    I know how much you already love your little one, and when he arrives, you'll be so full of joy no matter what! :)

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  • Sorry you had a rough ultrasound experience but at least the major concern of that cyst seems to be cleared up now and that's good.

    Don't be too worried about the extra toe. I think it's way more common than you think. I have a younger sibling that was born with an extra pinkie. It was removed soon after birth and was quick and painless since there wasn't even bone formed in there, just the finger tissue. It's pretty routine and easy to get rid of it you don't want it there. 

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  • takmjstakmjs member
    @ffair07, I completely understand your feelings. My daughter was diagnosed with bilateral (both) clubfoot, so basically both her feet were completely turned to the side (she would walk on the outsides of her feet if uncorrected). I was devastated. I understand it, but that didn't make me feel any better at the time, when people would tell me that this is one of the better genetic disorders to have. It still sucks, and you worry about them having pain or being teased for the rest of their lives because of this deformity. Now that my daughter is almost 2 1/2, though, looking back, yes it isn't as bad as it seems at the time, but your feelings are totally validated.

    I don't have advice on the kidney thing. My daughter had 2-3 holes in her heart, which also seems horrible, but that's something that does (and has) resolved on its own. From what it sounds like, that's what the kidney thing is.

    Best of luck to you and your son!
  • indianaalumindianaalum member
    edited May 2014
    Could you take one of the free cell DNA tests? Those have no risk to the baby and they test very accurately for Chromosomal issues. I just took the Panorama test, but there are several similar ones out there

    I wish you the best of luck. I definitely can relate to the "Getting scary news" business. Good Luck.

    P.s. I think there are some famous celebs with 6 toes including Halle Berry, I believe
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  • SGC29SGC29 member
    No experience with the toes but my second child had enlarged kidneys (additional fluid) during all of his scans. I was monitored by a MFM doctor and then he was given an ultrasound after birth to see if the problem had corrected its self. 

    He is nearly 2 now and still has one slightly enlarged kidney. We receive a yearly ultrasound to just "check in" on things. He has had no issues though as a result of that kidney. We were told to keep a look out for UTI's but he has never had one. That issue is fairly common in boys and typically resolves on its own. If not, it rarely causes issue after birth. 
  • MEB2dayMEB2day member
    I understand how you feel about the extra toes. We were told our little girl will have an extra finger on each hand. The tech and the doc were scared to tell us when they saw it on the ultrasound so they were very careful in telling us. I cut them off and told them, oh it's nothing, DH was born an X-Men as well and they surgically removed his 6 weeks after he was born.
    If you're not expecting it, I could see how it can be overwhelming. Just remember it can be removed (hugs your way)
  • My stepson has an extra pinky on his right hand. He thinks it's the coolest thing and shows everyone he meets for the first time. I don't think it's a huge deal, like others have said you can always get them removed if you choose, if not they can hide them or show them off if they think they are cool like my stepson.
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  • I can't imagine how you are feeling.  Yes, it could be a lot worse, but any sort of defect (no matter how minimal) seems like it would be very hard to deal with.  Also, considering this is your first child, I think it is that much harder to accept.  Please hang in there.  I will keep you and your LO in my prayers and hope that everything turns out ok. 
  • LgillaspieLgillaspie member
    edited June 2014
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