Low Papp-A

[Hollytrees1]

Just received a letter to say I have low papp it's is 0.415 is that low what is the normal range. I really worried now 😞

What does the letter say exactly? I had the same, the letter did scare me and advised low dose aspirin.
The letter was worded so, so badly and scared the hell out of me, but really it was nothing to worry about and very common. Take the aspirin or whatever advice the letter said. I was given additional growth scans as a precaution, which was actually nice getting to see more of her. But baby was born full term weighing a healthy 8lbs11oz so it really wasn’t anything I needed to have worried about.

ETA: you can speak with your midwife at your next appointment and they should be able to reassure you.

I have attached what it says yes has totally freaked me out. Just wondered what is considered as low as some websites say under 0.4 but maybe I am reading it wrong.

Thanks for your reply has reassured me a lot just makes u panic I probable shouldn't have googled a lot of things too

It's not that low, honestly the definition of low varies but 0.4 mom or below is most commonly the cut off. Your result is nothing to worry about. Mine was 0.24mom so much lower than yours and whilst on the smaller side at 6lb 7oz she was totally healthy. I had 0.4mom with my first, not considered low so no aspirin or growth scans, he was 7lb 10oz.

Yeah exactly what I thought thanks so much for your reply 😊 has really reassured me. Glad everything went OK for you

The thresholds are different in different areas. Some are 0.4 and some are 0.415. (Your unit's threshold is anything below 0.415, as it says on your letter). Not uncommon to have low papp-a and it doesn't usually cause any problems down the line. They usually just offer aspirin and growth scans as a precaution :)

Ok thank you so is that my result 0.415 or is that the limit for low Papp-a in my area. Thanks for your help I have started taking the apsirin.

Your letter just says that the threshold is <0.415. I can't see your result on the letter so maybe they haven't given you the figure :)

Oh I see so they don't actually tell u the level u have

Don't worry OP, give the midwife a ring. They should be able to tell you the level if you want to know but it will still be the same plan going forward, growth scans and aspirin. Most low papp a babies aren't impacted. My second arguably was in that she was on the small side but she was totally fine and caught up within a couple of weeks anyway.
It's easy to say now I'm on the other side but remember low pappa is a risk factor not a diagnosis. It CAN be linked to growth issues towards the end but often not! The research on the topic is not fantastic, outside of the combined screening, papp a is not tested anyway.

Thanks all kust wondered if low papp a make u classed as a high risk pregnancy

Generally yes it makes you consultant lead. However you can decline if you wish! I attended scans but not the consultant appointments. Homebirth team would have supported me to birth at home had baby not had static growth in the last 2 weeks. Papp a does not mean anything for your birth in itself, IF there are complications arising then of course recommendations may be made for early delivery ect.

Ok thanks what do they do at the consultant appointments. Do they not tell you all the info at the scan appointment

I have a issue rhay I ahve a holiday booked which we booked last year and I will be 28 weeks when I go and I don't no what to do now

The consultant appointments will give recommendations based on the scan, ie induction it growth is not as good as they expect. If all is well, they won't have much to say but my experience after 2 babies is that they are very quick to recommend interventions. My consultant appointments were awful, booked when the a different person every time, essentially just pressure to induce, which I was not willing do unless there was good reason. I decided after the first one left me in tears to go to the scans and debrief with the consultant mudwife and the homebirth mudwife afterwards, who were honestly much more knowledgeable than the registrars in those appointments anyway. Hopefully you have a better experience than me, but I would advise you to do your own research and be your own advocate.

On your holiday, just ask for the appointments to be moved. They just want to check growth every 2 weeks it shouldn't matter if they aren't exactly on the time line. You should absolutely have your holiday!

Ok thank you I was just worried incase I have to do a fit to fly letter and they say I cant fly due to this

Yes I get what your saying and totally agree with you it seems you get pushed into doing things which I am all uncertain on