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

Low paap a?

18 replies

NotSoThinLizzy · 28/05/2019 12:30

So can anyone tell me your story with having a low paap a? Consultant seemed quite relaxed about it all but I'm now a bag of nerves.

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NotSoThinLizzy · 28/05/2019 13:19

I know it's not been long but hopeful bump. Nobody has explained anything

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Blahbeblah · 28/05/2019 13:39

To be honest, there's not a huge amount to explain. It can cause babies to be IUGR (not grow well or stop growing), it can cause placenta problems, but it's not a given that it'll happen, and most women go on to have completely normal sized babies with normal births.

If you look online, you'll see a load of horror stories of people who say they've had complications, but even more stories of people who are worried about it but never have anything happen.

It's unfortunately a wait and see, they'll usually do growth scans from 28 weeks to check baby is growing properly, you might see your consultant again, but if there's no problems with the babies growth or cord blood flow, you will most likely just stay being midwife led. Has he suggested taking low-dose aspirin?

My first was born 2 years ago and PAPP-A wasn't mentioned, so we don't know if it wasn't a thing they looked at then or if it was normal. I ended up being induced at 36 weeks as he had stopped growing at 32 weeks and the low growth had made my BP increase and there was some debate over pre-eclampsia signs - so nothing to do with low PAPP-A.

Baby 2 is due shortly, my 12 week checks showed a low PAPP-A result, I was already taking low dose aspirin to counter what my new consultant thought had happened in my first pregnancy. This baby is growing ok, he's still small but growing nicely - but coming early as I have other complications this time 🙄 nothing has been said about the low PAPP-A at all, other than initially when it was detected! 🤷🏻‍♀️

Each pregnancy/placenta is different, so even if you have it once, the chances of it happening again are pretty slim! I've been unlucky with my pregnancies, but it turned out the PAPP-A issue was not the cause of any of it! Try not to worry, if you have questions by all.means speak to you midwife, but try to relax and enjoy the next 6 months or so, it'll probably not mean anything other than seeing baby loads more times at scans :)

NotSoThinLizzy · 28/05/2019 14:41

Yeah growth scans and aspirin. They never told me I had it just dropped it conversation like btw because low paap a results you'll need to have baby in hospital. So I googled and oops 😂 seeing midwives again on the 10th so will have all my questions then.

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shookennotstirred · 28/05/2019 14:50

I has low Papp a, it wasn't really explained in depth as no one was that concerned by it.
We had to ask for information from midwives, hospital.
But It did mean we had extra scans, growth scans every 3 weeks (I think!) after week 24. Baby's growth slowed in the last 3 weeks so was induced a couple of days after due date. Predicted 7.1lbs, was actually 6.1.

shookennotstirred · 28/05/2019 14:51

Also it does mean higher risk for pre-eclampsia so keep an eye out for any of those symptoms and contact midwife/clinic ASAP if any develop.

NotSoThinLizzy · 28/05/2019 15:20

Had pre eclampsia with 1st pregnancy so my risk is a fair bit higher anyways so they want to see me every 2 weeks for blood pressure and urine tests just to make sure they catch it early. Did the low paap a results change your down syndrome results?

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Slicedpineapple · 28/05/2019 15:39

Low papp a results changed my DS results to high risk. Had Harmony test and all was fine. They said they coupled it with a high NF measurement but another midwife I spoke to said that measurement was normal so she doesn't know why we were put through that.

Had growth scans at 28 and 36 weeks, and no concerns. Predicted 6lb 14oz at 36 weeks. Now 37 weeks and counting down until the big day.

NotSoThinLizzy · 28/05/2019 15:43

I've had my letter and it says we are low risk but I dont know if they took paap a results into it. 20 week scan soon so hopefully will have more answers. But it seems that I shouldn't worry to much really.

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Babushkashouse · 29/05/2019 11:30

I had this. Was told around 20 weeks I think. I think it means the placenta may not be working as efficiently as it should so can lead to smaller babies so I had additional scans - every 4 weeks I think.
If anything the baby measured large (all in the abdomen), baby was born at 38 weeks - my second so not unusual) and weighed a healthy 7,4. Probably would have been around 7,8 or so if I had gone to full term.
I was really worried at the time but it didn’t lead to anything out of the ordinary in the end. The extra scans were reassuring though.

cindersrella · 29/05/2019 11:41

I had to take aspirin and have steroid injections at 31 weeks as blood not flowing through placenta properly. I got to 38 weeks and was started as baby stopped growing. Had growth scans weekly. She was born 5lb12oz.

She is still little now... 5 in July and just going into 4-5 clothes which can still be to big. However... she has a massive personality!

randomsabreuse · 29/05/2019 11:52

Had low papp-a, growth scans from 28weeks, was measuring big, just under 95th centile. Until 38 weeks when he crossed that centile. Induced at 38 weeks because so much larger than my first who came spontaneously at 38 weeks, no real issues.

Had the Harmony test which was all clear!

NotSoThinLizzy · 29/05/2019 12:21

Thank you everyone. I'm not gonna lie I spent ages on Google what a scary place. How do you get a harmony test we live in the butt crack to no where so no where near me offers it. I'm concerned about labour as nearest hosp is 112 miles away and can take ages to get an ambulance I have short labours anyways so concerned about having a early babe too. Ahh the joys. Wonder if I had this with my 1st they didn't test for it then but she was small they were worried about blood flow and had pre eclampsia.

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NotSoThinLizzy · 29/05/2019 12:22

My DD is small still shes 10 in Nov and fits into 7-8 waists not length though.

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cindersrella · 29/05/2019 23:21

110 miles away from a hospital. Are you in UK? How on earth do you live so far away from one...

Do you have a midwife led unit etc..

The chance are you will possibly be given a date to be started? 😀

cindersrella · 29/05/2019 23:21

Sorry ... 112

NotSoThinLizzy · 30/05/2019 22:28

Up in the highlands of Scotland we have a small a n e department here but that gets closed some times on weekends as no staff to cover it. We have a midwife lead unit 21 miles away but consultant wants me to be in the big hosp where the NICU is just in case. He said he wouldnt let me go past 40 weeks because that's the guidelines for low papp a anyways. Argh it's a bit of a mess 😂

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NotSoThinLizzy · 30/05/2019 22:31

Add on to that sort labours it may be a case of having baby in ambulance on side of the road. Not a rare occurrence up here. We can't travel home in one go either as babies can't be in car seats that long. No motorways speed limit is mostly 40 so many little villages and towns slowing us down.

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randomsabreuse · 31/05/2019 03:29

Harmony etc are blood tests - it needs a fairly unusual test tube (tiger stripes) and gets posted to the lab company. My NHS trust had a special offer if you got a high risk result.

With location I'd be pushing for induction at 38/39 weeks if not required previously.

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