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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Very low Papp-a levels

102 replies

KittyandTeal · 24/11/2014 13:01

Just wondering if anyone has any information on this.

Had the triple test for DS a week ago. My risk has come back as 1:1700 so very low. However, my Papp a level was 0.08!!! Seems to be very very low.

The only info they've given me is that it could be linked to small babies. I've got additional scans at 28 and 34 weeks. I just don't know how much I need to worry about all this

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Original poster

KittyandTeal · 26/11/2014 18:32

Thanks laure, you must let me know how you get on too. I think we must be pretty much in the same boat :)

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laurenamium · 26/11/2014 18:35

Thank you I will I don't see anyone now until a week on Monday but ill let you know how it goes

Mslad · 26/11/2014 19:20

Thanks for the update Kitty and great they put your mind at rest a bit. I have a midwife appointment tomorrow, I really hope she doesn't fob me off.

Original poster

KittyandTeal · 26/11/2014 20:10

Well my new scan is either 29th or 30th December. Right in the middle of Christmas. Still, I'd rather then than have to wait ages!

I'll ask a little more at my 16 week appointment but I'm awaiting 'instructions' from the consultant on Monday!

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Original poster

KittyandTeal · 26/11/2014 20:11

Oh and good luck mslad. I hope they can give you some proper answers. It's so worrying bit I figured we'd have been called in for tests etc if they were really concerned.

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MrsN1984 · 26/11/2014 20:52

My Papp-a was .3 and DS 1:15000 and so far ive had extra scans with consultant follow ups. So far so good

Original poster

KittyandTeal · 27/11/2014 19:29

That's good to know MrsN. I'm hoping the same for us.

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Jen317 · 27/11/2014 21:40

I also had a really low Papp-a level - 0.1, so really similar to yours KittyandTeal. We were also very high risk for DS so had cvs which was all normal. Had a couple of extra growth scans and all were normal. Had a healthy baby at 38wks and 6lb 2oz. She's now a happy 1yr old on the 80th centile for weight, so guess the Papp-a levels were just one of those things. Hope your pregnancy goes well

jessplussomeonenew · 28/11/2014 09:19

Hi there, I had low papp-a (0.16) and did have problems with the placenta, but now have a very healthy little boy. Took aspirin to 36 weeks, had extra growth scans that were all normal, but at 38+6 my blood pressure (which had been low all pregnancy) soared and I got pre-eclampsia and the start of HELLP, induction didn't progress well so my son was born by EMCS at 39 weeks. He was 7th percentile then but has caught back up to 50th in 3 months and is very healthy. In addition to extra scans, I'd ask about baby aspirin and extra bp checks in late pregnancy to pick up any signs of pre-eclampsia as early as possible

I found a medical study on papp-a levels below 0.2 - can't post a link but if you're interested pm me your email and I will send you a copy. The gist is that with papp-a this low there's a higher risk that the pregnancy won't be entirely normal, but even if it isn't, you've still a very good chance of having an entirely healthy baby in the end, as I did!

Mslad · 28/11/2014 09:27

I had my midwife appointment yesterday. She didn't seem particularly concerned about it, but said I would get extra scans at 30 and 33 weeks

Thanks Jen and jess for your positive stories

Original poster

KittyandTeal · 28/11/2014 19:56

Wow, it's really good and a huge relief to hear some positive stories.

Great that your MW doesn't seem too bothered MrsN.

I'm starting to calm down about it all. I will make sure that I'm super vigilant about movement reduction and pre eclampsia later on (I'm only 14 weeks now) plus I've got the extra scans which is great.

I find out Monday of they want me to start taking aspirin but it sounds like it might be a good idea. I've also got a consultant appointment about birth options so I may ask about the possibility of an elcs. I didn't think I would opt for one (the idea of major surgery scares me) but it's seeking a bit like the safer option (to complicate things there is a high chance of this baby having a shoulder dystocia and getting stuck like my dd did)

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Skylopez2007 · 30/11/2014 19:07

Hello Mums

I just wanted to share my experience not scare anyone. I had Papp a levels of 0.09. Was high risk of Down syndrome 1:102. Had CVS test and no abnormalities detected. Had a little hope told will be given growth scans at 28 and 32 weeks. However throughout the whole pregnancy something has never been right. No appetite at 16 weeks physically sick all the time. Baby never moved no flutters. Told midwife this she said I was worrying over nothing .been to doctors had several scans always a heartbeat. That was at 16 weeks I started to feel paranoid that aiust be the one mad. So tried to ignore this no movement and my belly being small not putting weight on. Due my 20 week scan on the 21st of Novemeber so excited. Called in gel on tummy screen on then immediately I knew no heartbeat had an inkling. Sonographer confirmed no heartbeat The dreaded words SORRY!Consultant called and came in asked me when the baby stopped moving funny that I have always been saying here has been no movement. So why ask me a silly question. Oh I am sorry for your loss but the Papp a levels were three times lower than low hats what he said. No one bee explained anything to me regarding this and got fobbed off every time I asked questions. So now at 20 weeks I am devastated and given a pill to take in the friday and return on Sunday to have a induced labour. Have to come to terms with my little boy has gone. I will never be able to see him grow to be a lovely man. Feel very robbed. Labour went well my tiny man was so tiny apparently he had stopped growing three weeks ago. This story is a clear account of the tragic events that happened to me
Only a week ago. It has been hard for me to share this but I want women who feel
Something is not right to fight till the end maybe problems can be noticed sooner. My understanding I could have been offered Asipirin earlier to help placenta. But was told because I had a previous healthy pregnancy with a heathy weight daughter they did not feel it was necessary. But every pregnancy is fk different we cannot take these sort of risks. My heart is broken into small pieces and no one knows what to say to me unless you have experienced it yourself.

Original poster

KittyandTeal · 01/12/2014 08:13

Sky I'm so sorry for such a terrible experience and for the loss of your little boy.

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laurenamium · 01/12/2014 10:37

Good luck with the consultant today kitty!

Sorry for your loss sky and thank you so much for sharing your story!

Original poster

KittyandTeal · 01/12/2014 11:03

Thanks lauren, it's just a midwife phone call with info from the consultant but I'm still feeling nervous. Think it'll probably be this afternoon/evening as they've got antenatal clinic this morning.

Trying to distract myself with Christmas decoration shopping this afternoon with my toddler!

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Original poster

KittyandTeal · 03/12/2014 11:36

I finally managed to speak to the midwife yesterday.

They've brought my anomaly scan forward to 18 weeks and left my 21 week scan in place as an additional growth scan. I've been moved from consultant to under the director of fetal medicine (oddly enough I found out that she delivered one of my friends sons, she raved about her which is positive) she's also put me on low dose aspirin.

Feeling like I'm actually doing something so it making me feel better psychologically. I'm also starting to feel bubbles and flutters which I'm presuming are first movements (I felt my dd at about 13 weeks so I was worried I was late feeling these movements) I feel them mainly after coffee or sugar so I'm pretty sure they are movements.

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Mslad · 03/12/2014 11:51

Kitty that's great that they're looking after you and you feel a bit better (though I am slightly concerned that my midwife didn't seem concerned at all and will just give me an extra scan at 30 weeks).

How many weeks are you? I'm 16+2 and am on constant movement watch, but nothing yet......

Original poster

KittyandTeal · 03/12/2014 12:27

I'm 14+6 today but I felt movement very early with my dd. I know it's quite unusual, they say not to think about movements until 16-20 weeks.

Is this your first mrsl?

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laurenamium · 03/12/2014 14:28

Good news that they've put you on aspirin kitty I have my 20 week scan on Monday

Theresomethingaboutdairy · 03/12/2014 14:32

I had low Papp-a at 0.04. I was 38 and had a risk factor of 1-540. My daughter was born a bouncy 11lb, 5ozs There was never any explanation as to why the Papp-a was so low. I worried about it all the way through the pregnancy on and off but I guess, sometimes these things just happen. Good luck

Mslad · 03/12/2014 16:08

Kitty this is my first, but I have a posterior placenta, so I'm hoping that means I might feel something soon

Thanks for sharing your story theresomething You definitely didn't fit the small baby theory!!

Good luck on Monday lauren 20 week scan must be so exciting (& hopefully not too nerve wracking!)

Original poster

KittyandTeal · 03/12/2014 18:46

That's exciting Lauren, you must let us know how it goes.

Theressomething I've been looking for someone with a lower papp a level than me! You beat me! It's a huge relief to read your story as I've assumed the lower the level the worse the chances are.

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Original poster

KittyandTeal · 03/12/2014 18:48

Mslad I wonder if you have had movement but have assumed it's gas. I had a posterior placenta last time and felt lots of movement all the way through so I'm sure it's not far off for you :)

I actually don't know where my placenta is this time, I must remember to ask at the next scan :)

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Mslad · 03/12/2014 19:56

I have had a lot of gas Kitty........ but it doesn't feel like flutters or pops (as I've read) so I don't think it has been movement. My constant vigilance continues.

Original poster

KittyandTeal · 04/12/2014 19:53

Me too mslad

In sure you'll feel the movement soon enough, you've probably got good string stomach muscles (unlike me second time round!)

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