Low Papp-a

[CViegas94]

Hi mums,

Second time mum here with no issues with the first pregnancy, currently 13 weeks pregnant and screening results came back with Low Papp-a (0.42) and high chance (1-150) of Edwards/Patau.. went for my NIPT on Friday and anxiously awaiting results..

I'm a mess to say the least, non stop crying and worrying.. any mum's who have been through the same?

Thank you ❤

I am currently awake feeding my very healthy 8 week old. My PappA was very low at 0.12Mom. I can’t remember my risk for Edward’s/Patau’s but it was higher than yours. NIPT came back low risk. I spent most of my pregnancy slightly worried about it but all scans were normal and growth was fine. I took low dose aspirin and I was booked in for induction on my due date because of it and also high pressure in uterine artery. I went in to labour naturally at 39+2. When I gave birth the midwives commented that my placenta was very “dinky” which probably explains the low PappA.

Good luck with the NIPT and try not to worry!

Am currently feeding my healthy 11 week old baby and I had low papp-a. I think yours might be on the cusp as the cut off in my hospital was 0.4 or lower.

I had growth scans from 32 weeks and my baby was measuring small. The doppler scan was showing good placenta blood flow through the cord but she was measuring a week or so behind on expected growth. At week 36 I went in for reduced movement (of course baby started moving loads when I got to triage at 9pm haha) however they did pick up on high blood pressure that night (not sure if it was linked to papp-a though). I was monitored for the next 3 days as I had another growth scan booked in and at the next scan, baby had dropped at least 10 percentiles so they suspected placental failure as she had stopped growing.

She was delivered bang on 37 weeks at 5lbs 3 oz and didn't need any help or NICU. I was already wanting a c section so they just bumped me from a Cat D to a Cat C which went down as an emergency section, but it was planned and all very calm. We all had a good look at my placenta afterwards and the midwife said it looked pretty healthy. It didn't meet the threshold for needing to be sent off for investigation or further research so I'm not sure if it had actually "failed".

So overall I think low papp-a did affect me and baby but not to the point of any detriment. Please try not to worry OP, enjoy the extra scans and being able to see baby more often! Congratulations on your pregnancy 😊