Worried

[Arksweetie]

I have had 4 children before this one. I'm not sure how far along I am because now I keep getting different due dates. Any who I went to the doc today & he did a quick scan/ultrasound & scared the crap out of me. He did the ultrasound & said my baby's body was measuring 14wks & 6 days My baby's head is measuring 15wks 6 days. He asked me if my baby has down syndrome would I terminate. After the scan I think my mind went blank. I answered no not thinking about what he said.

Has this ever happened to anyone? After 4 children I have never had to go through this. Someone please tell me this is normal. I have to see a perinatologist ( I hope I got this right) but my nerves are going to beat me down until someone calls me. Helpppp!!  Please excuse my typos. I am so nervous it's a blessing I don't know how to smoke a cigarette.

[RockRose]

If you're speaking to me,  I'm not at ALL trying to be mean.

If your baby's arms and legs (body) measure smaller than expected compared to the size of the baby's head,  Down's syndrome is suspected.

That's why  your doctor asked you,  if it turned out your baby has Down's,  would you want to continue the pregnancy.  Because that's why your'e being sent to the specialist - to determine if your baby has Downs.

What I posted to you was meant to give you some relief - a lot of people have kind of big heads compared to their bodies,  and they are fine and look completely normal.  It's just a variation in how some are shaped.

Your baby is most likely fine,  although you are going for further testing and another opinion,  it's most likely to be nothing to worry about at all.

Best wishes.

[Arksweetie]

I don't think I was speaking to you. Thanks!!

[cindy82]

Lol my baby was measuring almost 2 weeks ahead my last scan because she said he had a big head and a big belly, but so does the father hahahaha. They said everything looked perfect though and baby's grow at different rates even body parts. Go by your lmp or your first scan, that's the most accurate

[missi_m]

I don't think anyone is being mean. Ppl are trying to help you.

[Arksweetie]

What I'm going through is different from what you posted. I think you were trying to be mean. My babies body is measuring 14 weeks and his head is a week off. I read it's normal.

[RockRose]

Having arms and leg bones (humerus and femur) that are short in comparison to the head size is a "soft marker" for Down Syndrome.  That means your baby bears looking at further to see if there's a problem.  

This article is written in a technical medical format so it's a little hard to read but it appears to be saying that a finding of large head size compared to arm and leg length doubles your risk that your baby has Downs Syndrome.  By the numbers,  that's not much risk.  

When you look around you you'll see people with kind of big heads.  It's most likely just a variation like foot size and hair color -

Good that you're going to a specialist.  Best wishes and although it's hard,  try not to worry.  :(

http://sandiegoperinatal.com/ourservices/prenataldiagnosis/ultrasound/softmarkerscreeningfordownsyndrome/

[missi_m]

I'm on number 5 too. My baby was bigger than my lmp dates too. They failed to perform ds scan but my bloods confirmed I was low risk anyway. I know I wouldn't terminate nor would I risk amnio test. Its normal here for all these *scary* tests as hospitals have all the technology nowadays to screen for such things x

[karrieschofield]

Read the due date posting and it might make u feel better. If i remember the posting right after an ultrasound they are saying she is a month further along then she thought possible. As good as doctors are the do make mistakes in measurements.  So try and stay calm

[thirdtimemum]

Don't start panicking just yet darl, measurements are not always accurate, and not always a way to tell the size for certain. My baby's stomach is measuring up alot smaller than the rest of his body, but the other tests i had show he is in no danger of having d/s or anything else. Don't think the worst, take it all as it comes, and have the appropriate tests done if you feel you need to put your mind at rest. Good luck!

[Kaitlind]

I have never been in that situation, but I noticed boone else has replied so I thought I would at least let you know I read this. I would try to not worry so much until you know more information. Its very common for different body parts to measure different weeks, just like a child who is 6 will not be the same height as another 6 year old. There is still a lot of time for everything to get proportionate.