Low Papp-A

[Turt]

If you have experienced this, can you share your birth stories? Good or bad.

I have met with my consultant today and have been told it's unlikely I will be allowed a water birth as baby will need extra monitoring. I have my extra scans already booked and another consultant appointment at 39 weeks.

My anxiety has kicked in and now I am worrying about all the things that can go wrong that the consultant explained such as a small baby, unhealthy baby, stillbirth etc.

I just need some reassurance. Thank you.

Hi, I had low papp-a for my first pregnancy and had extra NHS scans to check placenta blood flow and growth etc. All turned out fine - baby was born healthy with a normal weight. In a way it was quite reassuring to have those extra scans, which I don't have now with this 2nd pregnancy (since they didn't mention low Papp-a this time round). Try not to worry too much. I read another thread where someone was really worried about low Papp-a and all the replies I saw on that thread were positive.

I had low Papp-a with my pregnancy and like you, was a bit concerned. I had extra scans from 26 weeks which were absolutely fine (very re-assuring and I was given some of the scan photos which were actually really good as well). Baby was 2 weeks late and a decent weight. So low Papp-a had no real effect on the little one.

I had low Papp-A in my 2nd pregnancy. I had extra growth scans and DD measured perfectly for her gestation at each one. Due to complications in my first pregnancy with DS and with DD being breech, I had an ELCS at 37+4 and DD weighed 6lb 3oz, which is around what they expected from the growth scans. Everything was all good good luck OP.

I had low PAPP-A in my first pregnancy too. It doesn't mean that there is a problem, it's just a flag that there could be - I read that 9 out 10 low PAPP-A pregnancies actually turn out completely normal, and in my case it was true (DD arrived 10 days late, weighing a healthy 8lb 3oz).

Hmm, I had low PAPPa (0.2) and I had extra scans etc but assuming the scans don't show signs of problems I don't see what they would want to monitor during labour that would rule out a water birth. I think it would be good to ask them specifically what they're worried about and how monitoring during labour (as opposed to extra monitoring during pregnancy which is important) would help.

As it happens I developed HELLP syndrome and DS was born a bit growth restricted (9th centile). Low PAPPa can indicate a higher risk of placental problems but in my case it was picked up during a routine midwife appointment.

Wow, thank you so much for all your reassuring replies. You are all so lovely. I feel much less worried now!

In regards to the monitoring during labour, the consultant said as it stands I can't say you will have a water birth. She was absolutely lovely and did say we will review at 39 weeks but she also said regardless of the scans and future appointments they will still monitor baby throughout labour just to be cautious.