Talk

Flip

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

Low Papp-A and extra growth scans

9 replies

BadgerFace · 12/10/2015 14:42

I had a consultant's appointment on Friday to discuss VBAC vs ELCS decision after an EMCS with DD1.

At the end of the appointment he dropped a slight bombshell that due to my 12 week blood results and low Papp-A he wanted to book me in for extra growth scans at 28 and 32 weeks as it can be a marker for placental problems (although not necessarily). We had the Harmony test at 12 weeks as we were medium risk (although not high) and Kings offers Harmony to medium risk to build their sample size of statistics. Downs etc all ruled out by the Harmony results. No-one mentioned that there might be other things to worry about from my results.

Anyone else in the same boat? If so, how are your growth scans going? My baby was measuring fine at 23 weeks and I assume if it was a massive problem it would have been flagged with me earlier than as an add on to another appointment. If I'd not had an EMCS last time I would not even have had that appointment! I hope they are just being overly cautious to be on the safe side but it's obviously now a tiny worry in the back of my mind which I did not have before...

OP posts:

Report

PosterEh · 12/10/2015 14:45

I had this in my first pregnancy. I moved areas during my pregnancy and the second area I lived had no interest in it. I ended up with extra growth scans as had gestational diabetes (so went from worrying that baby would be too small to worried it would be too big). Dd was born 7lbs at 38 weeks (induced because of diabetes) so absolutely average!

Report

Metalhead · 12/10/2015 14:48

I've had extra scans at 16 and 28 weeks and will have another one at 34 weeks because my HCG level was nine times the normal value at the 12-week screening, which apparently can also be linked to placenta problems. So far everything's looking just fine, but I was very happy to get the extra scans!

Report

BadgerFace · 12/10/2015 14:51

Thanks Poster, that is reassuring. I had read that some areas don't look at it so I was wondering if it's a teaching hospital thing...

My EMCS with DD was due to a placental abruption at 37 weeks so I am a bit nervy about other potential placental issues!

OP posts:

Report

BadgerFace · 12/10/2015 15:11

Good to hear everything's going well Metal. I know extra scans a good thing overall, I just need to keep reminding myself!

OP posts:

Report

NewMrsX · 12/10/2015 15:28

I have been having extra growth scans for low Papp-a too. Up until now everything has been fine but I've had my 36 week one today and the head measurement has dropped a little. They're not concerned as its a tiny anount but I have to go back next week to recheck cord function and fluid levels then another growth scan the week after. I have an appointment with the consultant after the scan to discuss possible induction but I have also had 4 episodes of reduced movement so far so that may be why.

Are you taking baby aspirin to help placental function?

Report

BadgerFace · 12/10/2015 18:28

Thanks MrsX for sharing your experience. I wasn't told to take anything although I have since read a lot about baby aspirin often being prescribed. I am having a scan next Monday so I will ask about it then.

OP posts:

Report

princesspineapple · 12/10/2015 18:58

Nothing helpful to add I'm afraid... but I'm booked in for extra scans too and just wanted to say I totally agree that it's lovely to get extra scans but can't help worrying! Hope everything goes well for you :)

Report

60sname · 12/10/2015 19:14

I had this - though they said none of the women they'd monitored with low pappa-A had in the event had any growth problems.

I think I had three extra scans, with DS tracking about a week behind (which made him in line with my dates). My bump was also quite small, which didn't help my peace of mind!

He was born weighing 7lbs 13 at 40+4, which I think is pretty much bang on average.

Report

BadgerFace · 19/10/2015 19:42

I had my 28 week scan today and the sonographer said that my Papp-A was 3.2 and their cut off for ordering extra growth scans was 2 so I was above their threshold! So hopefully it seems like my consultant was being overly cautious.

The baby is only on the 30th centile but they said that was still in the normal range so seems like we're on track.

Thanks for sharing your stories everyone, they were very reassuring.