https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:53:06 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2596897 Tue, 02 Aug 2016 08:26:49 +0000 MrsA 2596897@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dinomama: thank you so much for sharing! I think I'm going to step away from Google, talk with my OB today, and just try to relax. I really appreciate hearing your feedback. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2596766 Mon, 01 Aug 2016 21:13:05 +0000 Dinomama 2596766@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Delurking to share my experience...I had low Papp-a. My doctor recommended a high protein diet from the time we found out (approx week 14) and "prescribed" wild caught salmon once a week for the omega 3s and a baby aspirin daily. This was all for the health of the placenta. I had monthly ultrasounds until 32 weeks, then weekly until week 38. I was induced at 39 weeks as a precaution. My baby was born absolutely healthy at 6 lbs 4 oz. She typically measured in the 15-20th percentile via u/s when I was pregnant, however through infancy she has consistently been in the 3-10th percentile. She is small but healthy and happy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2596717 Mon, 01 Aug 2016 19:38:57 +0000 MrsA 2596717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm glad I found this thread. Just had my NT scan and all came back clear except for a low Papp-a reading. They gave me a 1:100 risk of Downs so I will go for the NIPT bloodwork tomorrow to get more conclusive information. They didn't tell me much about the low hormone reading except that I'd need an additional ultrasound and then I made the mistake of google searching and promptly freaked myself out.</p> <p>Any more recent stories of similar test results? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2491974 Fri, 11 Mar 2016 12:00:36 +0000 ms.line 2491974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to follow up on this thread in case it helps anyone else in the future. I ended up having a completely uncomplicated pregnancy and natural birth of a healthy, 7-pound, 20-inch baby girl. Definitely should have stayed away from the Internet on this one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2348372 Sun, 08 Nov 2015 18:58:13 +0000 ms.line 2348372@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@auggiefrog: I agree - I'm definitely looking forward to my baby just being out! Thinking of you and hoping everything looks great at your next scan! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2348369 Sun, 08 Nov 2015 18:49:12 +0000 auggiefrog 2348369@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ms.line: That's good to know. It's great that you were measuring ahead, and that everything's been fine up to this point. Baby was measuring a week behind during my NT scan, and I am so afraid he or she will measure behind again. I already am dealing with pregnancy after MC/ over a year of TTC anxiety, and now I'm dealing with all the bad test results. I will be so relieved to have a healthy baby in my hands! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2348355 Sun, 08 Nov 2015 18:29:44 +0000 ms.line 2348355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@auggiefrog: FWIW, my midwives and genetic counselors were completely unfazed by my PAPP-A results and I'm not having any additional testing or ultrasounds. The baby looked great at my anatomy scan and was measuring three days ahead, so I'm hoping for smooth sailing for the next 16 weeks of my pregnancy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2348002 Sun, 08 Nov 2015 10:04:50 +0000 auggiefrog 2348002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just found this thread and feel comforted by those of you with perfectly normal experiences. My PAPP-A levels came back as .18 during my first trimester screening, which triggered an increased possibility of Down's. A Harmony test put us back at low risk for Down's, But now my AFP test results came up high, with an in increased risk of CP. I'm feeling pretty defeated by blood tests at this point.<br /> So far I've kept myself from Goigling low PAPP-A, so I don't really know others experiences. The genetic councilor was very reassuring though, and this was a comfort.<br /> My anatomy scan is s little over two weeks away and I'm getting more and more anxious to know that baby is growing well, but also more and more nervous that we will get more bad news.<br /> How were everyone's anatomy scans? Did anyone have a baby in the lower growth percentile? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2266648 Wed, 19 Aug 2015 07:10:27 +0000 MCD919 2266648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a very similar experience at my 12 week screening, with low PAPP-A levels &amp; my results given to me by a nurse who couldn't really give me a lot of additional info, so stressful! Like @Evistunna the nurses at my practice and my main OB said they've never seen the low levels result in any issue. I did have additional monitoring by MFM just in case. After 20 weeks I had growth scans once a month, and after 30 weeks I went every other week, then weekly at the end. Everything turned out fine! DS was a week early, 7lbs even. I'm in the middle of a move so I don't have my pregnancy journal. If I find additional info, I'll wall you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2266636 Wed, 19 Aug 2015 06:47:01 +0000 ms.line 2266636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@raintreebee: Good to know - thanks for all your helpful info!</p> <p>@californiadreams: Thank you! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2266389 Tue, 18 Aug 2015 18:18:19 +0000 californiadreams 2266389@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i just saw this thread now and now it makes sense what you were referring to on the february thread. I have no experience but wanted to offer my support. And to say that if your midwives are not concerned, then i would try to focus on that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2266338 Tue, 18 Aug 2015 16:18:03 +0000 raintreebee 2266338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ms.line: I think it was 24 weeks because they measured the growth at the early anatomy scan at 16 weeks and the regular anatomy scan at 20 weeks. I think one of the doctors recommended starting them at 28 weeks. The evidence on the significance of low papp-a is mixed, but why not be safe instead of sorry since it's just a few extra ultrasounds. Keep us updated. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2266268 Tue, 18 Aug 2015 15:13:58 +0000 ms.line 2266268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@raintreebee: I appreciate your input - I'm definitely concerned about it as well and plan to bring it up with her next week. Thanks for sharing your research - how far along did they recommend starting the growth scans? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2266217 Tue, 18 Aug 2015 14:40:36 +0000 raintreebee 2266217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ms.line: Hi. I just saw your post on the due date boards (I am due in January and also stalk the February boards). I think it is a little odd that your midwife wouldn't recommend additional monitoring. Even though the outcomes are generally fine for low papp-a, it is standard to do additional monitoring for under the 5th percentile. I interviewed about 6 OBs when we were going through this, and all of them had the same plan--growth scans every 4 weeks and NSTs if the growth scans weren't favorable. Anyway, I don't mean to worry you. Just wanted to share what I discovered was routine practice for low papp-a. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2266149 Tue, 18 Aug 2015 13:23:00 +0000 ms.line 2266149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms.Bucky: Oh boo! I hope your LO manages to stay on the growth curve and you're able to avoid the NICU! :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2266122 Tue, 18 Aug 2015 12:55:03 +0000 Ms.Bucky 2266122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My levels were .16 MoM. I was just given a IUGR label at 29 weeks today (down to the 10th percentile). Blech. Still not the end of the world -- just lots of scans and I will probably be induced early (I just really, really hope to avoid the NICU). </p> <p>Don't worry, though. Low PAPP-A levels are correlated with some issues, but you are far more likely to avoid them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2265397 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 17:23:45 +0000 ms.line 2265397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zarzar: So glad to hear everything's going well for you - and you're in the home stretch! Best wishes for a healthy and happy delivery! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2265306 Mon, 17 Aug 2015 15:50:31 +0000 zarzar 2265306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My PAPPA was .12 MoM and I'm almost 35 weeks along. I had one extra scan at 30 weeks and started NST at 32 weeks. Everything seems normal so far and none of the doctors I've seen at my group OB practice are overly concerned about it. They told me that the extra scans are just to be extra careful and that they haven't seen negative outcomes with low PAPPA. I have been super worried about this since finding out (it's so hard not to!) but have tried to enjoy the pregnancy and stay positive. I also googled a lot at first but have since stopped because it just drives you crazy! Fingers crossed for us both! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2264558 Sun, 16 Aug 2015 14:19:12 +0000 ms.line 2264558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Evistunna: Your experience is really reassuring - thanks so much for sharing! You are definitely smarter than me when it comes to Googling! :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2264437 Sun, 16 Aug 2015 10:42:21 +0000 Evistunna 2264437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ms.line: I rarely post here, but had to pop in to share my experience. My Dr. strongly recommended against googling when I tested low for PAPP-A and I surprised myself by listening! I was still really worried at first, but two different nurses at my practice said in all their years, they had never seen a patient with low levels actually have major issues. My son was born two weeks early and fairly small (under 6 lbs) but totally healthy, no issues. Like @Raintreebee, I had extra growth scans and tons of NSTs, but results were good every time. And I'm pregnant again with normal PAPP-A levels, so it's not something that will necessarily pop up during subsequent pregnancies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2264388 Sun, 16 Aug 2015 07:23:21 +0000 ms.line 2264388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ladybee: Thanks! :heart: My husband threatened to shut off my internet for the next six months. :silly: </p> <p>@raintreebee: @windswept: Thank you both for sharing your experiences. It's very reassuring to hear your doctors/midwife minimized the issue, and that both of your LOs are healthy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2264191 Sat, 15 Aug 2015 12:52:04 +0000 windswept 2264191@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had very low PAPP-A levels (can't remember the exact number, sorry), which contributed to a positive screen for trisomy 21. Harmony test ultimately showed no T21 and I had a huge (9lb!) baby boy at 40 weeks. My placenta was huge too lol. Besides the Harmony test, I didn't have any additional testing or monitoring. I was super stressed about it as well, and Google is scary, but my midwife assured me that the numbers don't always mean trouble. Try not to worry too much. I know it's tough! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2264175 Sat, 15 Aug 2015 12:05:56 +0000 raintreebee 2264175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Forgot to add that we had growth scans every four weeks to ensure the placenta was still doing its job. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2264172 Sat, 15 Aug 2015 11:57:28 +0000 raintreebee 2264172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am so sorry. I had .23 mom with my first (first percentile). One idiot doctor told me to maybe consider an abortion despite not knowing anything about it. I switched to a high risk group that assured me everything was going to be fine. They research low pappa and things aren't nearly as bad as some of what you read on the Internet. Everything did turn out fine. My son was born spontaneously at 37 weeks. I think he was slightly growth restricted bc he came out at 6 lbs (9th percentile) and quickly jumped up to the 60th percentile after birth. Hugs. Please wall me if you have any questions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2264131 Sat, 15 Aug 2015 09:36:06 +0000 ladybee 2264131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have no experience, I just want to offer you hugs and prayers. Honestly, I think if it was concerning they wouldn't have released your results without talking to you. I so understand why you're worried, hopefully you can relax until Monday. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/low-papp-a-experiences#post-2264119 Sat, 15 Aug 2015 08:44:25 +0000 ms.line 2264119@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first trimester screening results appeared in my patient portal around 5:30pm yesterday, after my midwives' office closed for the weekend. The screening came back negative for Trisomy 21 (1:550) and Trisomy 18 (1:1100). However, my PAPP-A levels are very low at .26 MoM. I made the very poor choice to Google low PAPP-A, which returned lots of horrible statistical correlations with second trimester miscarriage, stillbirth, IUGR, and preeclampsia. </p> <p>Does anyone have personal experience with low PAPP-A? Did you have any additional tests or scans? Were there any complications with your pregnancy? </p>