Anyone else have 'Low PAPP-A'? Worried

[Beetie1]

I have today received a letter following the blood tests for the combined screening blood test which says that I have Low PAPP-A (pregnancy associated plasma protein-a) levels and I will need extra growth scans. I will have a consultant appointment to discuss what this means and the leaflet accompanying the letter says not to worry... but I am. I've had a really busy week at work and I feel exhausted and emotional and so coming home to this has pushed me over the edge a bit.

Has anyone else had low levels of this protein? I suppose I'm hoping for people here to tell me not to worry.

I had low papp a. Had mini aspirin throughout pregnancy plus extra growth scans that showed baby was large for gestational age - when he crept above 95th centile I managed to wrangle an induction at the same gestation as my 1st, 9th centile child as I'd needed a ventouse with her...

Had slightly more check ups than a normal 2nd pregnancy but would have been midwife led but for him being bigger than I fancied evicting at 42 weeks...

Is now nearly 5 months old and hungry...

Yes I have this. I was worried too initially. But be reassured that some Trusts don't do anything based on these results.

My hospital have been scanning me every 4 weeks in case blood flow from the placenta is compromised (in my case it has been less than they would ideally like), and to check baby is growing normally. As it happens I have a large baby from the growth scans!!

I am also on 150mg aspirin daily.

I feel very well monitored and a little too well looked after! If anything it's been really reassuring and I feel that I genuinely know my baby is ok from all the scans.

I had low papp-a in my first pregnancy. I had additional growth scans at 28, 32 and 36 weeks. At the last one they were concerned that the growth was slowing down and they weren’t happy with the blood flow from the placenta. They decided upon induction and my son was born 2 days later weighing 4lb 12oz. He was in SCBU for a few days because he was struggling with low blood sugar, but he’s had no problems since (he’s 7 now and healthy and doing fine).

It was a stressful end to the pregnancy/ first few days of his life but the staff were very reassuring and I never felt like he was in any danger. They monitored me closely in my 2nd pregnancy as well, despite my Papp-a levels being normal, and she was born full term and a healthy weight.

And of course it might not be an issue at all. Try not to worry - easier said than done I know.

I’m 32 weeks and have low Papp-a. The same as you I received a letter through the post. Have had my 28 week extra growth scan which all went well and have my next one at 36 weeks but have had no issues so far :) I was initially really worried too and trying to find as much info as possible but have since relaxed and it hasn’t stopped me from enjoying my pregnancy at all - If anything im just enjoying the extra scans! Good luck x

Yes, I do. I agree with what others have posted above. Try not to fall down an internet rabbit hole (as I did!) - it'll just make you anxious. If you have questions and haven't been referred to a consultant (again, like me) I would phone the foetal medicine department at your hospital who should be able to explain things a little better, and will likely tell you not to worry.

Thank you everyone . This is dc3 and I've never had any problems in pregnancy (aside from annoyances such as nausea and heart burn!) so I guess I was expecting to sail through this pregnancy problem free too. It's good to hear that people have experiences of no concern for baby's size or that the extra scans have picked up issues.

Does anyone know if there will be a problem with me travelling abroad with this having been picked up? I'm due to go on holiday at 28 weeks so will need a drs note to fly.