Sex/orgasms and low Papp-a?

[AlwaysAnonymous]

Hi everyone,

This is probably a question for the midwife but wanted to hear from experiences and thoughts from real ladies!

I was told I have low Papp-a at my 12 week screening. I was told low Papp-a can lead to pre-eclampsia, high BP, low birth weight or pre-term labour but not to worry and continue with my pregnancy as normal.

I haven’t really ‘been in the mood’ but my sex drive is starting to come back.

I’ve read that sex (or having orgasms in general) can cause uterine cramps which is dangerous to those at risk of pre-term labour.

My question is, for those ladies who also had low papp-a in their pregnancies, did you refrain from sex/orgasms throughout the pregnancy or did you continue with DTD as normal?

I have low PAPP A and tbh it sounds like you have been told a lot more than me and my partner was. I got a call saying I had low Papp a and not to worry as it just means some babies are born small and I would have routine scans and that was it. Me and my partner are quite sexually active and that’s not really changed since being pregnant. We still have sex the way we did before I was pregnant apart from being a little more gentle and I’m now 37 weeks pregnant and no signs of labour yet. My midwife never told me to stop having sex or really discussed anything about my lifestyle in regards to Papp a so you should be fine BUT it’s always best to double check with a midwife as what is fine for me might be different for you! X

Hi @Northernerinwales thanks so much for your message! I did a lot of googling after being told, scared myself a bit, called back with a million questions but one I didn’t ask (as it wasn’t on my mind at the time) was about intimacy and whether there’s any risk with having low papp-a. Since posting my sex drive has disappeared again so it’s not a current problem haha however it’s very reassuring to hear that you’ve continued on as normal with no issues. Wishing you all the best for your birth! x

I had low Papp-a with my first pregnancy, 0.45. They said it was not worryingly low but they gave me extra scans for the 3rd semester.

lots not just a risk of low birth weight for the baby, but preeclampsia, pre-term and stillbirth.

so you need to be under a consultant supervision and have those extra scans in the 3d semester. I also might have had few more app with the midwife as well towards the end.

I counted baby”s kicks (there are apps for that) as well

my DD had low birth weight and static growth (no growth) for the last month. Bc of that they induced me at 40 weeks. I don’t recommend it, I ended up delivering by forceps and it was a horrible experience.

I breastfed her and she put on weight and she was/is a happy girl.

I’m pregnant again and awaiting my 2nd scan next week. I already told them I don’t want to be induced again.

They say having sex may induce labour but only if your body is already ready for that. I wouldn’t worry until the last few months.

btw I tried that, cause I was 40 weeks and there was no sign. And it didn’t do anything… still ended up with induction, though this time I’ll ask for a c-section.

Hi @CristinaNov182 thank you for taking the time to comment and so sorry to hear about your birth experience, wishing you a smoother and easier birth this time round! There’s lots of similarities in your post to what I’ve experienced too, I have two scans booked in for the third trimester and some consultant appointments too. I find I worry a lot about low Papp-a because of what I’ve read online so trying to calm down a bit! I haven’t actually DTD since the very early weeks of pregnancy 🙈 mostly because of fear of MC (I had an early MMC in February this year) so I’ve kind of scared myself off doing it!