Fetal measurements

Ashleymoore90

My blood work had came back high chance of Down syndrome around 18 weeks, I went to a high risk doctor for a more intense ultrasound and everything checked out great and put me at 95% baby didn't have downs and not to worry so I turned down amino. Well today at my 36.6 week ultrasound to see if baby is head down, baby's head is measuring 40.6 weeks, body is measuring 37 almost 38 weeks. Is this a cause for concern or a sign of Down syndrome? Has this happened to anyone else. The tech couldn't give me much insight other than the doctor would look at it but that some babies just have big heads. Her approximate weight today was 7lb 9oz. Any insight would be greatly appreciated as I have another week before my doctors appointment.

cMichelle0423

Ashleymoore90 said:

My blood work had came back high chance of Down syndrome around 18 weeks, I went to a high risk doctor for a more intense ultrasound and everything checked out great and put me at 95% baby didn't have downs and not to worry so I turned down amino. Well today at my 36.6 week ultrasound to see if baby is head down, baby's head is measuring 40.6 weeks, body is measuring 37 almost 38 weeks. Is this a cause for concern or a sign of Down syndrome? Has this happened to anyone else. The tech couldn't give me much insight other than the doctor would look at it but that some babies just have big heads. Her approximate weight today was 7lb 9oz. Any insight would be greatly appreciated as I have another week before my doctors appointment.

Ultrasounds are notoriously off about fetal weight. As much as two pounds either way. As far as your fundal height, it's usually not a cause for concern unless it's off by several weeks (meaning 1 or 2 weeks is normal). Personally, all my babies have measured "ahead" during the third tri. I'm currently 33 weeks with my third and he's been measuring a week ahead for my last 4 appointments. Hope this helps.

jenniferamcooper

Size is a terrible indicator for DS. The measurements they did during your intensive ultrasound was measuring thinking like neural tube, nuchal fold and nasal bone size, which are 3 solid indicators for DS. Ask your doctor at your next appointment to allay any fears but I've never heard baby size being an indicator of DS.
And as other PP u/s is notoriously off for sizing.

Ashleymoore90

jenniferamcooper said:

Size is a terrible indicator for DS. The measurements they did during your intensive ultrasound was measuring thinking like neural tube, nuchal fold and nasal bone size, which are 3 solid indicators for DS. Ask your doctor at your next appointment to allay any fears but I've never heard baby size being an indicator of DS.
And as other PP u/s is notoriously off for sizing.

Do you mean that when it comes to size of babies it's hard to indicate Down syndrome that way? Just want to make sure I'm reading it correctly. Thanks

suchaglencoco

Our DS always had head measurements that were a week or two ahead of his body, he does not have down syndrome, just a big head.
He was born 1 month premature and we just had his 1 month appt yesterday. His height is the 3rd percentile for full term babies while his head was measuring 50th percentile. No concerns from the doctor. We joked that he may just look like a bobble head until he grows into it.

suchaglencoco

Eta- double post.

Ashleymoore90

suchaglencoco said:

Eta- double post.

What do you mean double post?

suchaglencoco

Ashleymoore90 said:

suchaglencoco said:

Eta- double post.

What do you mean double post?

My comment posted twice by accident and you cannot delete comments.

dramaphile

DD was born at 45th percentile for height and weight and 75th percentile for head size. She does not have Downs, she just has a daddy with a big head.

jenniferamcooper

@Ashleymoore90 yep I meant size measurements are not a way to diagnose DS. Ultrasound measurements are notoriously off anyway. After you've had your level 2 (or high risk ultrasound) your risk was lowered but they can't say 100% for sure because there are no absolutes... but... if you had any markers for DS they would have noticed them during that u/s.
We had a level 2 u/s because my screen came back high (my chance was 1/132) and the radiologist (Doctor) went through the ultrasound and let us know exactly what she was looking at for the full hour. She started with the biggest indicators (neural tube, nuchal fold and nasal bone measurements), these are more accurate in an u/s than weight because you're measuring the distance between two points. They then looked at softer indicators like a fully developed heart, stomach, kidneys, etc.
If you got a clear report you're probably fine! But definitely ask at your next appointment so you feel better.

Ashleymoore90

@jenniferamcooper thank you for your comment. Yes at my level 2 they said 95% chance everything was fine as everything measured out and looked great, so I turned amino down, just isn't worth the risk as I will the love her no matter what. Yesterday when I saw the measurements and started googling I saw downs was a sign, so I went into a panic with her head measuring 4 weeks larger. The unknown is just scary I guess.

jenniferamcooper

@Ashleymoore90 I'm a recovering Google hypochrondriac so I 100% understand. If they docs were worried about the measurements they'd send you to high risk because babies born with Down Syndrome have a higher chance of heart/kidney problems and they want to know about them before delivery if possible.

I totally agree on the unknown and loving the baby regardless. What freaked me out the most was the incidence of heart issues. I said to my husband we can be a happy family with a child with DS but I'd stress out if she was also born with heart issues. Seriously tho bring it up with your doc next appointment, confirmation from a medical doctor always makes me feel better. Even if I've asked the question before.

Ashleymoore90

@jenniferamcooper Doctors office just called and said I had to go back to the maternal fetal clinic next Friday the 22nd, when I asked is this a cause for concern, she just said its standard procedure. I have to go see my regular ob Tuesday so I'm gonna ask some questions. I'm so scared.

jenniferamcooper

@Ashleymoore90 definitely ask lots and lots of questions. Not sure how far along you are now but at 36 weeks I go for weekly checkups and at 40 week (41 weeks and every other day til baby is born) is a trip to fetal assessment.

If you were 36+6 a few days ago you'll be 38 next week and almost right on for fetal assessment. Fingers crossed its just standard procedure but it Canada they're not allowed to skirt questions over the phone to make you feel better. If they say not to worry here, they mean it. Keep us updated!