Low PAPP-A levels?!

[June340oo]

Well where do I start, this has been a journey so far. I’m currently 16 weeks along after a frozen egg transfer (ivf) I bled on/off from week 5 to 13 which resulted in several scans due to this. Baby was fine luckily, when I had my 12 week scan they did the combined screening and everything looked and sounded great, cut to three days later the hospital ring and say your levels are high risk, chance of downs 1:78. So obviously immediately worrying agreed to pay for the NIPT test, thankfully results were low risk at 1:10,000. However after coming home from work yesterday I’ve had a letter from the maternity unit stating that my Papp-a levels are low and I need to start on aspirin immediately. Has anyone else had low Papp-a levels and what did this mean for you and baby? I have my midwife appointment in the next few days so I will ask her but I’m worrying like crazy and hoping some of you ladies might be able to help calm my mind, this pregnancy just seems to be one thing after another with constant worry. So anyone else had or have low Papp-a levels?

This sounds pretty much exactly like my last pregnancy, even having to get the NIPT test.

I just had to have lots of extra scans to keep an eye on babies weight as it can be linked to smaller babies. Pretty sure it was every 4 weeks.

My little boy was born weighing 7Ib5 and is turning 8 months next week.

Congratulations on your pregnancy & try to enjoy it xx

I did. Was prescribed low dose aspirin like you and had regular growth monitoring scans throughout my pregnancy. Was induced and gave birth on my due to a 7lb bouncing boy. Good luck for the rest of your pregnancy

*should say due date

@Lulubelle15

Thank you for replying, that’s give me a more positive outlook knowing all went well with your little one. Congratulations to you on your baby boy. Thank you I will try and enjoy my pregnancy it’s just so hard with nothing but worry and doubt so far. X

@boughtnotbrought

How many weeks were you when you started the aspirin? The letter states to start taking aspirin before 16 weeks and I’m 16 weeks today and I won’t get to the doctors until Tuesday/Wednesday so I’ll be over 16 weeks, I’m not sure why they’ve only just the letter considering I had the combined screening at 12 weeks. Congratulations to you also on your baby boy. Thank you for replying x

I think I was around 13 weeks or so and took it for the duration of my pregnancy. I was prescribed a 75mg dose, but I just bought the same dosage from the supermarket (trying to save the NHS some money!). Thank you, he's nearly 2 now and a complete bundle of energy and fun

I was also told I had low PAPP-A and went on to have a totally normal pregnancy and delivery (DD was 10 days late and weighed 8lb 3oz).

I had low PAPP-A. Did the NIPT and got the same result as you. My DS will be 1 soon, born perfectly healthy at 39weeks, weighing 7lbs. I just got extra growth scans from 28weeks. I only found out later but my DD was borderline PAPP-A but the protocol changed between pregnancies and that was the only reason I found out the second time!

I had this, had extra growth scans but baby wasn't small and no issues. Nobody mentioned aspirin though!

Hi @June340oo, I’m currently in aspirin after having the same kind of results as you.. my risk of DS was 1 in 41 as my HCG level was really high and my Papp-a level was low. We had a CVS test done and baby is okay, no chromosome issues at all and they confirmed that the baby is a little boy 💙 they will basically do extra growth scans for baby and do checks on mum such as pre-gestational diabetes (even if you aren’t in a usual bracket for testing). The aspirin I was told would thin your blood and help the placenta function better so that it may work all the way up to full term otherwise they may induce you earlier. The low Papp-a levels is just an indicator that something could go wrong rather than there actually being something wrong currently 🙂 i hope this helps x

I have low PAPa in this pregnancy (currently 19+2) I got the letter after 15/16 weeks and was told I wouldn't be given aspirin as they recommend you start it prior to 15 weeks.
Also the midwife stated that aspirin dosage has recently doubled from 75mg to 150mg (incase you're planning on taking baby aspirin).
So far nothing is different but I will see how 20 week scan goes and I have already been told I'll have extra growth scans.

I had low papp-a too.
Took aspirin from 13 weeks, bought for pennies at the chemist!
2 additional growth scans at 30 and 36 weeks, all looked ok but due to 2 low fetal doppler readings was recommended to induce.
Induced at 37+4, DD arrived after a uncomplicated 13hr labour.
She's almost 5months now and snoozing happily.
Good luck for the rest of you pregnancy!

Also had 2 pregnancies with low PAPPA - first time round had restricted flow in uterine arteries but kept a close eye on all the way through with scans and induced at 38 weeks exactly, 5lb 15 - now 4 years old no issues what so ever, birth fine, she’s happy and health and Very active!

2nd time same low papp a - only needed aspirin, extra scans, she came on her own 6lb 11oz at 39 weeks exactly and perfect one year old - so try not to worry and extra scans and close eye is a good thing, I remember feeling anxious when i first got a letter about it x