Femur Length 5th Percentile

[csab]

HI All,

Just wondering if anyone has had a result like this and all was ok. I have just 2weeks 5days before bubs will be delivered by c/s, but I am just so much more worried now than I have in a while with this pgcy. I had the growth scan to check on bub, but certainly wasnt expecting this. So I am back to worrying, I have been this whole pgcy that my little girl would be ok, but something always comes up. I just dont know how I am going to get past these next few weeks.
Bubs is only measuring an approx weight of 2409gms, but I am not all that concerned about that as she still has a little while to gain weight, yet they have her overall measurements as 1week 6days behind as well.
These are the measurements they have given.
Biparietal diameter of 87mm (35weeks 3days)
Head circumference 317mm (35weeks 6days)
Abdominal circumfirence 304mm (34weeks 3days)
femoral length 64mm (33weeks 4days) This is where the 5th percentile comes in.
Her weight they said was lying above 5th percentile.

I am just so worried, was so hoping that the worry would ease up, as the nerves had really taken hold, but now I am just so scared even more now that something could be wrong with my beautiful little girl.

If someone can give some encouraging news I would love to hear it right now. Thanks....

[csab]

If anyone can give me something to hang onto it would be greatly appreciated.

[DiannaQ]

I don't know much about scans but I'd say that you're just having a little bubba - I'm sure if they were REALLY worried they would have said something and not let you just walk out of their office - iykwim.

My little boy was born at 37weeks and only weighed in at 2.6kgs - so not much bigger than what your little girl is at now - once she is here you can fatten her up - :hugs: - hope you can have some peace in the final weeks - but I can totally relate to freaking out - keep up those prayers you have done so well

[Beach Mama]

Just wanted to give you another hun - sounds like bub is little but remember she still has 3 weeks to fatten up lovely....

[rufalina]

Got nothing to hang on to, but sending you huge This is the last thing you need... You have been through so much, and this little girl is a huge fighter. I hope everything works out OK... Thinking of you hun.
xoxo

[AmandaJ]

Sweety she's most probably just going to be a beautiful petite girl and there is nothing to worry about,

hugs xoxo

[Nai]

I think her weight is fine. DD was 2.9kg when she was born and although she has always been on the petite side she gained weight consistently from birth and we have never had any concerns. She is happy, healthy and bright but always been between the 3rd and 15th percentiles for weight.

As for then length - DD had arms measuring 1 week ahead of the rest of her measurements - yes she does have longer arms (just like her monkey-armed daddy) but you can't tell as she looks in proportion.

[luey]

Nothing to hang on to but if they were really worried I am sure they would have refferred you to your OB immediately and then discussed a plan of action asap. As they didn't I am sure that she will fatten up. You have to remember that these measurements are a guide only. They aren't exact. Only when your princess is born will you know for sure. Genetics plays a role too, how big are you and your OH? How big were you when you were born? Did your OB request the scan or did you? Sometimes I think it is better not knowing Hoping the next few weeks flies by.

Hugs

[csab]

Thanks for the replies everyone,

As I said I am not overly concerned about her weight, I am quite worried about her femur length with it being in the 5th percentile. I am really hoping that once she is born that everything will be fine. Yet to tell you the truth, I am now dreading the day. I was getting quite excited and also nervous about how she is before this u/s. Now I am back to just worry. All I can say is it is going to be a longgggggg 2wks 5days thats for sure.
I am really hoping that she is petite like her brother, my first born, who was 2.5kg and 48cms long at full-term, and is still so short, but with all the worry I have had with this pgcy, it is making it harder. I do know it is only an estimate and they arent all that accurate. So now I guess the wait is on once again.

Definately dont know how I have made it this far, still sane in some way or other. Thanks again.

[Marlene]

csab, please don't stress about this too much. I know it is easier said than done.
These scans can be terribly innacurate at times.

I was told my DS (now 8 years old) had one leg longer than the other and he would probably walk with a limp. He was born totally normal with two beautiful legs the same length.
I was also told my last DS was going to be a BIG baby and that he was "above average", he was my smallest baby, born at a lovely 7 pounds 3 ounces.

You and baby will be fine, you have an enormous amount of good vibes coming your way...we are all thinking of you.

[Nicambhar]

Cheryl, hun, everything will be just fine. I am sure of it.
Just a little bit on what happened with my little one. I was told she was extremely small and at one stage in my growth scan she was about 4 weeks behind in dates. Her head was their main concern, I was told that it wasn't the right shape. Each scan came up with a different date measurement for her head. By the last scan I'd had it and decided I couldn't listen to them any more because they then told me that her femur was now a concern . I honestly spent most of the last 10 weeks of the pg just feeling completely scared out of my witts.
I did end up with a very heathly, but petite little darling and she looks and is, just perfect. So what I am saying is try not to worry because I think that most of the time the scans are so not accurate.
Take care, relax and enjoy the last of your pg. xx

[PinkPalace]

csab - sorry i missed you post in our due group thread.
I want to give you big hugs. I am sure everything will turn out ok.
Remember the bones keep growing and growing!

[Trillian]

She might just be a little short, but that's fine! Babies can be any length they want to be and still be perfectly healthy. Plus, if your first baby was only small and short, then chances are she was always going to be short too.

[Junglemum]

i was going to say exactly the same as Trillian. Given that your fist baby was short, this one probably is too. There are babies that fit in all percentiles, they can't all be spot on average, we need bigger and smaller to make up all those statistics.
Best of luck with your birth.

[*charmalea*]

oh big hugs for you , im sure of it that she will be ok .. they would have mentioned something if it was not right ... unless they want their asses sued !!!

sound like you have petite babies and thats ok ..
ultrasounds are hard to get exact meaurements this far in the game.

i am so excited for you , you have been so strong throughout you pg, i can wait to hear about you lil lady xx

[Mumma2three]

IT frustrates me that they worry people so much. Last pregnancy I was sent off at 36 weeks for emergency u/s because the midwife though bub had shrunk back to 30-33 weeks..........so I panicked.
Had u/s they said bub had BIG tummy (what the) short legs and small head for what it should've been. so I worry Im having a turtle.
Anyway, she was born 3.3 kilos, 51cm (above average just )_ and totally normal. I am still upset that they caused so much worry.
Good luck, try to let it go and enjoy the rest of pregnancy xxoxox

[satya]

Don't stress. It just means she'll be short - 95 kids out of 100 will be taller than her - no need to worry.

I can't remember the exact percentile now as I've had so many percentiles thrown at me since then but his femur length was really low putting him in a very low percentile. Like you I started to worry. He was born short - 49cm. He's growing but still considered short for his weight and age. All his bodysuits legs are too long for him.

As for the weight I was told I'd probably have a 7 pound baby but they said it can go half a pound either way. Brock was born 7 pound 13 and needed assistance to get out due to shoulder distocia. When he grows out of clothes he grows out in the chest, not the legs like a lot of bubs do.

Try not to stress. She's just going to be a shorty. I know how hard that is. I was so surprised when they put Brock on my chest & he looked so normal. I was kinda expecting teeny tiny legs that didn't look right in relation to the rest of his body but he just looked completely normal and just like his dad - exactly what we expected from the 3D pics.

[SunnyRain]

Had u/s they said bub had BIG tummy (what the) short legs and small head for what it should've been. so I worry Im having a turtle.

How do they take anywhere near accurate measurements once the baby is way too big to be scanned whole? Don't worry, I'm sure everything is fine and your bubba is just petite. I agree with the others, if the doctors were concerned, you'd know about it.

Out of interest, how tall are you and your hubby?