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Original poster

Low papp a

26 replies

Tammy1984 · 04/10/2017 17:59

Hi, I'm new here and just looking for people who have had similar experiences! My baby girl was stillborn at 36 weeks in October 2016, my placenta wasn't functioning properly due to Low papp A, I'm now 14 weeks pregnant and have just found out I have low papp A again, this has sent me into a frenzy of worry and panic, I'm just wondering if anyone else has had this and had a happy ending?

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fruitofthenight · 04/10/2017 18:27

I'm sorry to hear about your dd.
I had low papp-a and everything turned out fine. I got scanned 4 weekly from 20 weeks onwards and was moved to high risk care so I had consultant appointment aswell as my midwife ones. I was booked in to be induced at 40 weeks as they didn't want to risk going any further but down to other issues I got induced earlier. I got scanned the day before I got induced and my dc's estimated weight was 5lbs and it showed he hadn't grown since the previous scan 4 weeks earlier but when he was born he was actually 8lbs.
Hoping everything goes smoothly for you x

fruitofthenight · 04/10/2017 18:27

I'm sorry to hear about your dd.
I had low papp-a and everything turned out fine. I got scanned 4 weekly from 20 weeks onwards and was moved to high risk care so I had consultant appointment aswell as my midwife ones. I was booked in to be induced at 40 weeks as they didn't want to risk going any further but down to other issues I got induced earlier. I got scanned the day before I got induced and my dc's estimated weight was 5lbs and it showed he hadn't grown since the previous scan 4 weeks earlier but when he was born he was actually 8lbs.
Hoping everything goes smoothly for you x

Original poster
Tammy1984 · 04/10/2017 19:38

Thank you! And thank you for your reply, this gives me a little bit of hope! My consultant told me that the chances of another stillbirth are very slim, but the fear is always there! I have a scan booked for 2 weeks when I'm 16 weeks, then scans every 4 weeks after that until 30 weeks then it will be scans every 2 weeks until 35 weeks then baby will be delivered, just have to try stay hopeful and positive.

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Katy75 · 06/10/2017 01:54

Hello Tammy, I'm so sorry to hear you lost your daughter.

I had low PappA (think it was .21 MoM). I also had additional growth scans throughout the pregnancy. My daughter measured small throughout and was born at 39 weeks at 5lb 13oz. She is 7 months now and doing so well.

Did your docs suggest baby aspirin? I think I had read about it on the internet as improving blood flow and therefore possibly being helpful to placenta function. I took it. Definately check with your doctors though.

Best of luck and very best wishes x

Original poster
Tammy1984 · 06/10/2017 13:32

Hi Katy, I've been put on aspirin and have to stay on it until 35 weeks! Seen my midwife this morning and she's reassured me that Low Papp A is something that they can keep an eye on, and she's gonna see me every 3 weeks after I'm 16 weeks! Thanks for your reply x

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UnderTheF1oorboards · 07/10/2017 12:27

I had this and DS was delivered at 36+6 because the placenta had deteriorated and there was reverse flow through the placental arteries. He's just fine. As long as they are aware and monitoring you it should all be ok.

PastaOfMuppets · 07/10/2017 12:50

OP, I very nearly posted about this a week ago. I'm 16 weeks and my test came back with 0.3 papp a. My doctor hasn't mentioned baby aspirin or locked in additional scans, and I have 2 weeks until my regular appts begin with the midwives and OBs at the hospital. The doctor said it doesn't necessarily mean the worst, and just means additional scans later on and maybe being induced early if necessary. I really hope your pregnancy goes smoothly and am so very sorry for the loss of your baby girl. Take care. Flowers

PastaOfMuppets · 07/10/2017 12:52

I don't know how my flowers turned into a bottle of booze - store it up for five months' time!!

Original poster
Tammy1984 · 07/10/2017 13:06

Thanks Underthef1oorboards, the reassurance is exactly what I need right now xx

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Original poster
Tammy1984 · 07/10/2017 13:08

PastaofMuppets, my midwife told me the same thing, it's nothing to stress about, they will just monitor baby very closely! I suppose I'm just petrified because of what's happened in the past! Thank you, and same to you xx

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EasterRobin · 07/10/2017 13:17

I had a low papp-A and was put on baby aspirin and given extra scans. All worked out well and I had a 10lb baby!

For the posters who haven't been put on baby aspirin, I would genuinely ask your doctor about it as it helps blood flow, so it may be useful for your foetus.

Original poster
Tammy1984 · 07/10/2017 13:40

EasterRobin that's great, glad to hear you had a healthy baby 😁 I wasn't put on aspirin last time, so I'm hoping since I'm on it this time things turn out differently xx

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BellaMoo · 10/10/2017 14:42

I had low Papp-A (0.16) and was on aspirin from 16 weeks until birth with regular scans from 20 weeks. I was booked for an induction on my due date but didn't make it that far - DS arrived at 37 weeks weighing a healthy 7lbs. I hope that's a bit reassuring and that everything goes smoothly for you this time. Flowers

Original poster
Tammy1984 · 10/10/2017 15:15

BellaMoo thank you, that is reassuring to hear! I've got a scan next week, so will find out what the plans are for delivery an that!

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Smurfsrock · 21/10/2017 08:38

Just in case you needed a bit of extra reassurance, my papp-a was 0.3 at 12w, I'm now 36w, have had no extra intervention or monitoring and my growth scan yesterday (for another reason) showed a very healthy sized baby, no growth restriction, normal placental Dopplers :)

ADuckNamedSplash · 11/11/2017 09:22

So sorry for your loss.

I had low PAPP-A and extra scans. Ended up having a healthy pregnancy, with DD arriving 10 days overdue and weighing 8lb 3oz!

RedPanda25 · 12/11/2017 21:14

I’m so sorry for your loss @Tammy1984. It must be so worrying for you now. I posted the other day about this as I’ve had my results back with low hCGb and low PAPP-A. I haven’t heard anything from my Midwife and my letter didn’t say anything was abnormal. I’m going to call her tomorrow and ask her what it means and whether there’ll be a care plan in place. It’s so worrying!

Original poster
Tammy1984 · 12/11/2017 21:20

Thanks SmursRock, that is reassuring! I have my 20 week scan on Wednesday this week and then I'll see my consultant after that so will find out what's what then x

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Original poster
Tammy1984 · 12/11/2017 21:22

ADuckNamedSplash, thank you so much for replying with that wonderful newsGrin Congratulations and thank you for your condolences xx

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Original poster
Tammy1984 · 12/11/2017 21:26

RedPanda25 thank you, it really is a worrying, stressful time just now! They told me Low Papp A doesn't really come in to anything until the third trimester and it usually all turns out just fine (I was just one of the unlucky ones I'm afraid), you'll maybe get growth scans from 34 weeks to check baby is growing fine and that's about it. Please don't let my experience freak you out, as many others have said they all had a happy ending xx

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RedPanda25 · 14/11/2017 16:22

So my Midwife has just called and said that they don’t do growth scans for low PAPP-A in Wales as it’s a grey area and quite a new thing they test for but they will keep measuring my bump at every appointment and give me a growth chart at my appointment next week. Should I be pushing for growth scans?

Original poster
Tammy1984 · 14/11/2017 17:40

If they don't think there's anything to worry about then I'm sure you'll be fine! But if you're really panicking about it then yeah, I'd push for a growth scan! When I had it last time the just automatically gave me one at 28 weeks, this time at 16 weeks, and I'll continue to get them every 4 weeks up until 34 weeks when my baby will be delivered! If you feel like growth scans will make you rest a bit more easy then don't let them fob you off xx

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Seahawk80 · 18/11/2017 06:21

OP so sorry to hear about your daughter. It must be a frightening time for you. I had low Papp a - picked up at my 12 week scan. I had extra growth scans and as my midwife seemed pretty clueless I pushed for a consultant appt. they suggested induction at due date. DS arrived weighing a decent 6lb13 and is absolutely fine. I was really anxious about stillbirth as my friends baby was stillborn so I can’t imagine how you must feel. My friend has since had a healthy baby delivered at 36 weeks after lots of extra monitoring. DS was a bit lazy in utero and didn’t move much so I often went in for extra monitoring in the last few weeks and the staff were always happy to do this.

@PastaOfMuppets no one mentioned aspirin to me either - I also read about it on here! I asked the consultant and she said there is some evidence that it can help establish better blood flow in the placenta in some cases but needs to be taken before 16 weeks so if you are past that you don’t need it. But she said it’s not a big deal and not to worry. I didn’t take it and I was fine. However don’t be afraid to push for more appointments/ consultant care if you are not getting the answers you need.

Original poster
Tammy1984 · 18/11/2017 09:04

Seahawk80 thank you! And thanks for replying, that's really good to hear and gives me hope! I had my 20 week scan on Wednesday past there (we're having a girl) and they said everything is looking great so far, the consultant has said if baby grows properly then he'll deliver at 36 weeks, doesn't wanna risk going past that stage, but if she starts measuring small ( like my angel baby girl ) then he'll deliver at 34 weeks or maybe before depending on how small, also got me booked in for another scan at 26 weeks then every two weeks after that, so plenty of monitoring! Xx

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Popcorninapot · 18/11/2017 09:44

So sorry for your loss Flowers. I also had low Papp-a, lots of growth scans, they kept a close eye on me but baby was 7lb15, fine and healthy. Took aspirin throughout. I’ve just had my third baby at a smaller hospital and they don’t actually test for Papp-a there so have no idea if it was the same in this pregnancy or not. No growth scans this time but baby fine. So some hospitals not even testing for it (not sure if that is reassuring or not sorry!)