Low Papp A levels

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Hey everyone,

Just had a call from the midwife to let me know my Papp A levels are low. I will be referred to a consultant and my first appointment with them will be on Wednesday when I will be 15 weeks.

I had never heard of this before and been told that low papp a levels can lead to preterm labour, pre-eclampsia and baby growing small.

Just wanted to know if anybody else has had low Papp A levels and how things went or are going?

There's a good Facebook group with most completely normal pregnancies and births. It is a risk marker at best but the research on low Pappa A is minimal and the threshold of what is 'low' is different depending on Trust/Country you live in. It's a newish thing to test for so whole generations before didn't know this existed. What I'm trying to say is see the extra scans (you'll be offered extra) as a nice opportunity to see lots of baby & until they tell you there is a problem.....stay off Dr Google!

Haha, yeah, googling was the worst thing to do! But I couldn't wait until Wednesday to find out more information.

Definitely think it's a good thing that I will be monitored more closely. They said every 3 weeks from 28 weeks.

Never known anybody to have it before so good to know other stories!

I had low pappA (less than 0.2MoM) and all was fine until I developed HELLP syndrome at 38+6 which was scary for a few days until they got it under control. DS was fine, delivered at 39 weeks by EMCS when induction wasn't progressing, and just a bit on the small side (9th centile). It's worth asking about low dose aspirin as this can help.

I see these threads pop up every now and then and I have to reply as I had low pappa and I was so worried about it!!

Honestly in my experience it’s just something to be aware of, not worry. I had extra growth scans but everything was absolutely fine! I think it’s quite unknown, my mum had never heard of it so I freaked out. But please don’t worry - you will be well monitored for any issues.

I had this with my 2nd, had a couple of extra scans. He was fine - born a week overdue at 9lb! Definitely didn’t affect us in anyway

I know someone who is 27 weeks pregnant with this. Pregnancy all going as normal so far.

I’ve just had the same thing come in a letter so interested to hear people’s experiences. This is my third child and never had it before. They are saying extra scan at 24 and 30 weeks initially. It’s got me feeling quite stressed out.

Also it seems to be strongly associated with baby boys from what I can tell! Which wouldn’t be a surprise as I already have two boys!

The person I know is expecting a boy.

I had it with my pregnancy with my daughter. Took low dose aspirin everyday and had extra scans. Also induced at 40+5 just incase but it had absolutely no effect on the baby whatsoever