Low PAPP-A - first pregnancy

[LC2020]

Hi

I received a call from the screening team regarding my blood results from my 12 week scan.

They told me (over the phone) I have low PAPP-A and that due to this my pregnancy is now classed as 'High risk' and my pregnancy will be consultant led. I was told of the risks of having this both to baby and myself.

Obviously, if anything is not 'normal' in pregnancy we panic! But I'm feeling very anxious and concerned regarding this. I've been told I will have scans every 3 to 4 weeks from 20 weeks pregnant and will meet a consultant after each scan. I feel that this will take away some of the excitement going to scans and fill me full of nerves.

Has anyone else been told they have this? And what was your experience through the pregnancy?

Thanks.

Hi, I also had the same after my 12 week screening and I was in tears for days and my partner was upset too, I didn't know anything about it nor did anyone else in my family. But it's actually quite common, lots of people on this forum have low Papp-a and most babies end up being born at a good weight 7lb plus from what I've seen. I also watched YouTube videos of girls that had had low Papp-a in pregnancies and that made me feel better.

I was fine after a few days of knowing all the above! I'm now nearly 27 weeks, 20 week scan showed baby measuring correctly for age (a little bit over average on his tummy lol) so growing all fine at the moment.

I was switched to high risk/consultant care, I had all my apps sent through in the post the week after and so far I've had one app with my consultant which was so quick, literally 'you have low Papp-a, nothing to worry about, we'll do a growth scan every month' that's literally it. I have my first growth scan next Friday and I'm now really excited to see my baby again, as usually you only have one or two scans until you give birth but I'll have an extra 4! :-) plus you get all your normal midwife apps in between.

Please don't worry yourself! Xxx

I had a low papp-a. I have given nipt test waiting on results now! Do you mind asking me what's your nt, hcg and papp- a level?

Wishing you all the best!

@AshiSaeed

I had a low papp-a. I have given nipt test waiting on results now! Do you mind asking me what's your nt, hcg and papp- a level?

Wishing you all the best!

They never told me the exact levels of my papp A or hcg and I never asked cause I was in shock! I will be asking my midwife when I next see her, hope your tests come back okay xxx

@jessicakxx

Hi, I also had the same after my 12 week screening and I was in tears for days and my partner was upset too, I didn't know anything about it nor did anyone else in my family. But it's actually quite common, lots of people on this forum have low Papp-a and most babies end up being born at a good weight 7lb plus from what I've seen. I also watched YouTube videos of girls that had had low Papp-a in pregnancies and that made me feel better.

I was fine after a few days of knowing all the above! I'm now nearly 27 weeks, 20 week scan showed baby measuring correctly for age (a little bit over average on his tummy lol) so growing all fine at the moment.

I was switched to high risk/consultant care, I had all my apps sent through in the post the week after and so far I've had one app with my consultant which was so quick, literally 'you have low Papp-a, nothing to worry about, we'll do a growth scan every month' that's literally it. I have my first growth scan next Friday and I'm now really excited to see my baby again, as usually you only have one or two scans until you give birth but I'll have an extra 4! :-) plus you get all your normal midwife apps in between.

Please don't worry yourself! Xxx

I'm not sure if my reply went through before (I'm new to this and not sure how to use it yet).

Thanks for your reply, it's allowed me to breath a little and realise it's more common than what I thought! It's very frightening to hear and when you look on the NHS website the risks just make you feel worse.

I'm glad your scans have gone well and hope your pregnancy progresses with no further issues!

Thanks again for sharing this, I hadn't spoke to anyone who had this too, it's nice to no it's not as scary as I originally thought xxx

No problem at all, it sounds scarier online than it is! Just carry on doing what your doing looking after yourself and your baby and consider it a normal pregnancy, it's great that we get consultant care too because our babies will have extra monitoring to ensure all is well :-) good luck with the rest of your pregnancy too and congratulations xxx