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Original poster

Low Papp

30 replies

FloatingElephant · 17/04/2020 10:23

I’ve just had a call from the hospital to say I have low Papp results meaning I could have a small baby.
I’ve been booked in for an extra growth scan at 36 weeks and now worried. Not worried if I have to be induced earlier but I’m now worried about the placenta not doing its job, failing and having a stillborn. Please can someone reassure me? Has anyone else had these results? :(

OP posts:
Liveforholidays · 17/04/2020 12:23

Hi, I have low papp a too. There's a Facebook support group you can join called 'Low papp a pregnancy support group'. You'll find that most women on there have positive stories to tell after the initial scare.

Original poster
FloatingElephant · 17/04/2020 12:26

That’s good to hear! Thank you xx

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Felinewoman · 18/04/2020 17:17

Hi, I had low PAPP-A and was worried sick. Baby is now 3 months old and totally fine. Born via c section at 39 weeks because of breech presentation.

Original poster
FloatingElephant · 19/04/2020 08:16

That’s amazing!
I have literally done nothing but google stillbirth. I’m only 14 weeks and now worried they won’t find a heartbeat at 20 weeks - I’m absolutely terrified.
Can I ask what you numbers were please?
I didn’t ask on the phone (cos I’ve never heard of it or knew numbers, just accepted the word low) so still waiting for letter to come, I’m hoping I’m just in the cusp! I’m too scared to even buy anything thinking it won’t be a happy ending! 😭😭 xxx

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Missdrifter · 19/04/2020 10:56

Hi @FloatingElephant I too have low pappa, actually very low 0.19!! I saw my consultant back when I was about 14 weeks because the low pappa (and my age) gave me a high risk for DS. The consultant scanned me to check to check everything over and suggested I took low dose aspirin. He didn’t seem overly worried and my 20 week scan showed normal growth. I have another scan at 28weeks and 36 weeks to check baby’s growth and I may have to be induced a little early. I am someone who worries ALOT but I have become a lot more relaxed because I also have two friends in the same position and we have all be reassured my our medical professionals. Yes it can mean low birth weight etc but it can also mean nothing. I know it’s easier said than done but try not to worry too much. Xx

Original poster
FloatingElephant · 19/04/2020 11:42

Thanks @Missdrifter.
It has really scared me but your story also sounds very positive. I’m not overly worried about low birth weight or being induced early. I’m more worried that the placenta will just stop working, they can’t find a heartbeat or stillbirth. Great you have some friends with the same. I’m going to ring my consultant again tomorrow and get some more reassurance. Thank you! Xx

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Missdrifter · 19/04/2020 12:23

@FloatingElephant it scared me too but I was more concerned of my high risk for DS at the time of results. Luckily the harmony test came back low risk and scans since have been fine. Def ring your consultant because you don’t want to be worrying lots and hopefully you can be reassured (I think it’s quite common and something that can be monitored with extra scans etc)
Once you start feeling movement that will help too. Although I have an anterior placenta so didn’t really feel anything until well past 20 weeks, which was annoying. Xx

Original poster
FloatingElephant · 19/04/2020 12:47

I will, thank you. Been told my placenta is at the front so won’t feel anything until 22 weeks plus! Typical when I just want the extra reassurance xx

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candle18 · 20/04/2020 22:07

My papp-a was low as well. Can’t remember the number but the nuchal scan was normal and due to my blood results my Down syndrome risk was 1 in 26. Baby arrived on his due date and was a healthy 7lb 14oz.

bigbella26 · 20/04/2020 22:17

I remember that I came back with low Papp a with my now six year old son. I think it was 0.25. Google is not your friend as despite the health professionals not being concerned I became convinced that my placenta would collapse. My pregnancy was fine and he finally came at 41 weeks. He weighed 7lb 5 so very average weight.

Original poster
FloatingElephant · 21/04/2020 06:54

Thank you @candle18 and @bigbella26 that’s good to hear. My downs test came back like 1 in 3986. It seems off the charts considering other people are in the 100’s?
I feel just like you @bigbella26, I feel my placenta is going to fail and I’ll get to my 20 week scan and not find a heartbeat and if we do I’ll be panicking all the way up until next scan. Did you manage to ‘forget’ about it and keep calm? I can’t stop thinking about it. I’m too scared to prepare and buy anything (first baby) incase something horrendous happens :( xx

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HoneyWheeler · 21/04/2020 09:15

I had the same for my son! Can't remember the level but it was low - we were high rush for Edwards/Patau too but came back negative in the harmony test. My son ended up being two weeks overdue and 9lb 4oz!

bigbella26 · 21/04/2020 10:29

I’m a worrier anyway and did worry through my pregnancy but relaxed as it progressed. They look at your placenta in scans and each time it was fine. Like another poster I took low dose aspirin but this was due to family history and being nearly forty. As it turned out my placenta was fine and lasted beyond my due date. I opted out of the tests with my second and had a nipt instead. I had massive fibroids though which gave me something else to worry about!

Original poster
FloatingElephant · 21/04/2020 10:57

Awww bless you @bigbella26.
I haven’t been told to take aspirin yet.. I have another call with my consultant on Friday so going to ask if that’s something I need to do. I’m pleased all has gone well for everyone. I feel I need to get to 20 weeks and then I may relax a bit more as I’m half way through and then hopefully more regular scans for reassurance. Going to be a long 5 weeks!! Xx

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Missdrifter · 28/04/2020 10:51

@floatingElephant how did the call go with your consultant? I have my growth scan today and my anxiety has all come flooding in, I know I am being irrational but past few days I have convinced myself that something will be wrong with the baby. X

Liveforholidays · 28/04/2020 11:02

@Missdrifter I am exactly the same, the last growth scan was particularly anxiety inducing knowing that I had to go in on my own. I too convince myself that there will be something wrong before each one. I've decided that's normal now. Being high risk for DS and low papp a has been a struggle this pregnancy and I worry before every appointment. Good luck, deep breaths xx

Missdrifter · 28/04/2020 11:23

Thanks @liveforholidays it’s reassuring to know it’s not just me. How far along are you now and did you have any further testing for DS? I had the harmony test which came back as highly unlikely and my 20 week scan was ok but I still can’t shake the feeling that something could be wrong. I also have an anterior placenta so although I feel movement it’s sometimes quite muffled and recently I have convinced myself that’s because baby isn’t growing properly due to placenta not working efficiently. X

Liveforholidays · 28/04/2020 12:04

I had NIPT test too which came back highly unlikely. 20 week scan all clear as was my 28 and 34 week growth scans. I wish I had amnio for extra reassurance but i didn't want to risk miscarriage after a low risk nipt. I'm now deemed low risk for DS after nipt result so haven't had anything extra other than the growth scans for low papp a. Baby is following the 10th centile so on the smaller side but measurements are all on track. I'm 35 weeks now and have another growth scan at 38 weeks. I've been so nervous during this whole pregnancy that I just want the 'what if' worry to be over now. I have an anterior placenta too so movements are not as pronounced. As long as I can feel rolls every day I'm satisfied that all is ok.

Missdrifter · 28/04/2020 12:09

@liveforholidays so pleased that everything is going well for you and you are so close now to having your little baby in your arms.
I too have been nervous this whole pregnancy, I seem to relax after each scan for a little bit but then start worrying about something else.
Thanks for your reply and I will update later after my scan xx

Missdrifter · 28/04/2020 17:10

My scan was all fine! I feel so relieved x

Liveforholidays · 28/04/2020 17:41

@Missdrifter that's great news. 😊

Missdrifter · 28/04/2020 17:58

Thank you. They said most people with low Papp-a don’t have any problems at all and told me to try and enjoy the pregnancy. X

Liveforholidays · 28/04/2020 18:49

Well that's reassuring to hear. What centile is baby growing on? I think because mine's on 10th centile I'm a little more nervous and worried that growth will slow down.

Missdrifter · 28/04/2020 19:36

@liveforholidays They told me baby is measuring 50th centile but I can see legs are around 20th I think (in between middle and bottom line) but they said all within normal range. Has your baby always been following that centile? If he/she has then it’s comforting to know that at least baby is growing properly. You are almost there now 😊 have you been told that they won’t let you go over due?

Liveforholidays · 28/04/2020 19:54

@Missdrifter that's a good measurement.. 😁 Baby was on track at 20 weeks but 28 and 34 weeks following the 10th centile. Doppler scans have been fine though. Just think he's small.