Low PAPP-A, implications of, and anyone had a BLOOD FLOW test?

[LadyThompson]

I am nearly 22 weeks pregnant and the obstetrician told me this morning that because the hormone PAPP-A was low in the bloods they took at 12 weeks, she wants to to a blood flow test in a couple of weeks because a low level of this hormone in the first trimester can lead to low birth weight, very early delivery by c-section etc. I think the 'blood flow' refers to flow to the placenta. Low PAPP-A is also an indicator of Downs Syndrome but as I had a CVS and it came back fine, I know this isn't the case. So - anyone had an early delivery because the baby wasn't growing properly in the third trimester? Thank you lovely ladies.

Hi, I am not sure about the hormone thing you mention but DS1 was delivered 4 weeks early be emergency C-section as they found he wasn't growing properly. I had no problems in the pregnancy although everyone remarked how small I was, when I mentioned this to the midwife at 34 weeks she said 'don;t be silly, this baby will 7.5lbs', when he was delivered at 36 weeks he weighed 3lb 14!! He is now nearly 3 & absolutely fine.
DS2 is now 8 months and I had a scan at 24 weeks which showed there was a problem with blood flow to the placenta & this was the cause of DS1's IUGR. I took baby asprin from 24-36 weeks during this pregnancy & was scanned evry four weeks & DS2 was born weighed 7lb 10. Not sure whether this is helpful?

Thanks Riz, I think this may be something similar because a low level of the hormone PAPP-A in the first trimester can predispose you to getting that lack of Inter Uterine Growth thingy in the third trimester. Reassuring that you have got two healthy DCs though.

Had Low Papp-A with my ds2. No problems and no one seemed concerned about it at the time (had private nuchal) and he was 9lb 1oz at term! Think the recommendation now is to have uterine artery Dopplers. If these are normal around 24wks you will be low risk oh having IUGR ! Hope all goes well.

Thanks popcal, that's just what I wanted to hear!

My blood showed a low level of PAPP-A.

King's say only to look at the combined risk with the NT, not just the blood tests but i am still scared about my low level PAPP-A.

My result was 0.4150 mom. Do you know how low this is? What should i do?

Thanks

Hi,
I thought he normal Papp-a level was 0.40?
I had my appointment at Kings yesterday.Good and bad news. The baby was is now 53mm (normal length between 45-60mm at 12 weeks).This is great. The detailed scan showed no abnormalities - good news. Bad news was my HCG and Papp-a were both still very low 0.17. This increased my risk from 1:13 to 1:4. Had the CVS and now waiting for the results. These 3 days will seem like forever! What a rollercoaster ride with fingers crossed a good ending!
Good luck everyone.
Zo

Hi,
I'm 34, 1st pregnancy- was really happy until I glt a call from midwife follwing screening tests for Downs. MY results came back as positive: i in 110. Not because of my age, but my PPAP mom were low (0.36) and NCT mom were high (1.82). Been very upset and worried.. have CVS on Monday.. has anyone had this experience and baby was fine?? Thanks

Hi Delphinelee,
Sorry to hear that you are worried about your results, if it helps try to remember that there is a less than 1% chance of your baby having downs, that is pretty good odds! I had a similar problem and was exteremely worried and upset, however had an amnio and luckily my baby appears to be fine. You'll find lots of women have been through the same thing on the 'antenatal tests and choices' board so take a look there for some more support. Best of luck on Monday X

Hello, I have also had a bad result (1:45) due to very similar bloods as Delphinelee. Went to see consultant on Tues and they offered the CVS there and then. We had talked the night before and although I wasn't expecting it so immediately I had it done - want to know asap. Waiting for the results is not easy at all - I jump every time the phone rings and can't think about anything else. BUT the actual CVS was really fine. A weird feeling and a quick sting when they did the local anaesthetic - no more than an injection and actually a bit less stingy for me. An odd sensation but over very quickly and since then have had a slightly bruised feeling where the needle went on but no cramps or anything else. I did rest afterwards - emotionally tired as much as anything! I can't say my baby is fine - they say you could miscarry up to a month afterwards but a significant percentage of these are likely to have miscarried anyway so the statistics are hard to interpret. I am hoping all will be well but am very nervous so I really do feel for you. I did feel a bit better after the CVS - I think because I had done something other than sit and worry. But now the worries are crowding back as the results day gets closer. Very best of luck to you and your baby. X