AFP testing --sorry if this has been posted

jasbaby2

again sorry if something like this has been posted. I had this testing last week and missed a call today from a doctor in the practice. They left a vm saying they'd called to discuss blood work. I've been trying to get them on the phone for an hour and at this point am just waiting for the return call. I'm visiting my parents and my husband is on an international business trip. I have no service at their house so I am sitting in a Wendy's parking lot with my 5 year old waiting for a call back.

I'm assuming that the test indicated spina bifida and that's why a doctor is calling. Has anyone else experienced this? At our nt scan I swear our tech said something indicating everything looked normal in that area. So this really took me by surprise. I am just so overwhelmed.

KeHill08

Try to keep calm. It could turn out that everything is perfectly fine. I know it's easier said than done, but try not to freak out until you know what they want to talk to you about.

TacoSarah

Try not to assume the worst, there are many reasons your doctor may want to talk to you about the results.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you xx

Ceridwen77

Agreed with the others - stay calm and I'm sure your doctor will get back to you soon. Please let us know what the doc says! Good luck!

VexyMommy

I'm sorry you're experiencing anxiety.  Most of the time these things turn out to be nothing in the end.  I hope you hear back soon and please keep us updated if you're up to it.  *hugs*

Laura&brad1

Stay positive!! Prayer for positive outcome for you

jasbaby2

I just got off the phone with the doctor.  she said my ratio is 2.51 and the cutoff for normal is 2.5.  I scheduled an ultrasound at the perinatologist in about a week and a half.   I'm pretty terrified but the doctor I spoke with didn't seem all that concerned.  She mentioned my risk was about 1 in 281 or something like that and kept telling me it would be a different conversation if she was talking about 1 in 2 or 1 in 4. 

I don't mean to be so down but I don't know how much more I can take.  This is my third pregnancy since July 2014, we had two losses,  After normal NIPT results and positive NT/scan blood work results I was starting to let myself think everything was good.  

oliarnmom1517

Just relax and since you got off the phone and the doctor didn't seem too worried don't go working yourself up because you're nervous... And it's not off by much they probably just want to make sure it's nothing and are taking the extra precautions since you have had a couple loses.. I bet everything will be perfectly fine


Edit because my phones retarded and didn't want to spell words right lol

Ceridwen77

You still have really good odds, OP, and it will be additional peace of mind to get the additional testing. Good luck.

oorl11052015 said:

Just relax and since you got off the phone and the doctor didn't seem too worried don't go working yourself up because you're nervous... And it's not off by much they probably just want to make sure it's nothing and are taking the extra precautions since you have had a couple loses.. I bet everything will be perfectly fine


Edit because my phones retarded and didn't want to spell words right lol

You really should remove the "r" word from your vocabulary. It's extremely offensive.

Pontot31

That's not off by too much. I would try to relax until you get the scan.
There is a cut off they have to go by and you barely are past that.
I know it's hard to get news like that. Try to have faith that it'll all be ok.

VexyMommy

Those aren't terrible odds and your barely away from the normal mark.  It's likely that all is still right.  I know it's hard, but try to focus on other things until you can see the perinatologist.  Your DD will keep you busy I'm sure.  *hugs*

oliarnmom1517

Ceridwen77 said:

You still have really good odds, OP, and it will be additional peace of mind to get the additional testing. Good luck.

oorl11052015 said:

Just relax and since you got off the phone and the doctor didn't seem too worried don't go working yourself up because you're nervous... And it's not off by much they probably just want to make sure it's nothing and are taking the extra precautions since you have had a couple loses.. I bet everything will be perfectly fine


Edit because my phones retarded and didn't want to spell words right lol

You really should remove the "r" word from your vocabulary. It's extremely offensive.

I didn't even think about that when I wrote that. I only used it to describe my phone but you're right it is offensive.. I also work with people who are mentally handicapped and people actually get in trouble where I work when we use that word towards an individual.. Which I never use it in the way but I do understand why people get upset about it and I'm sorry if I offended anybody..

Edit because of spelling

jasbaby2

thanks for the support guys.  I really don't know how I'm going to get through this next week and a half.  I want to be positive but with my past I am having trouble believing things are going to go well.

oliarnmom1517

Just remember that you always have some support here.. Just relax and take a nice little relaxing moment for yourself.. Keeping you in my thoughts

TacoSarah

As the other ladies have said, 0.01 is hardly anything and your OB isn't worried so try not to be too anxious.

Pontot31

Ceridwen77 said:

You still have really good odds, OP, and it will be additional peace of mind to get the additional testing. Good luck.

oorl11052015 said:

Just relax and since you got off the phone and the doctor didn't seem too worried don't go working yourself up because you're nervous... And it's not off by much they probably just want to make sure it's nothing and are taking the extra precautions since you have had a couple loses.. I bet everything will be perfectly fine


Edit because my phones retarded and didn't want to spell words right lol

You really should remove the "r" word from your vocabulary. It's extremely offensive.

This. So offensive.

oliarnmom1517

oorl11052015 said:

Ceridwen77 said:

You still have really good odds, OP, and it will be additional peace of mind to get the additional testing. Good luck.

oorl11052015 said:

Just relax and since you got off the phone and the doctor didn't seem too worried don't go working yourself up because you're nervous... And it's not off by much they probably just want to make sure it's nothing and are taking the extra precautions since you have had a couple loses.. I bet everything will be perfectly fine


Edit because my phones retarded and didn't want to spell words right lol

You really should remove the "r" word from your vocabulary. It's extremely offensive.

I didn't even think about that when I wrote that. I only used it to describe my phone but you're right it is offensive.. I also work with people who are mentally handicapped and people actually get in trouble where I work when we use that word towards an individual.. Which I never use it in the way but I do understand why people get upset about it and I'm sorry if I offended anybody..

Edit because of spelling

@Pontot31 Incase you didn't see it.. I am sorry if it offended you or anybody else that read it..

brianna91chavez

I had my blood draw for the AFP this last Thursday and my doctor is supposed to call today or tomorrow with the results whether they are good or bad. Like a few PPs said, I wouldn't expect the worst just because they left you a voicemail. They could be calling you to tell you that everything is fine. Just try to relax and think positive thoughts for you and your baby.

ETA: didn't see your second reply about you getting your results. I'm hoping the best for you and your baby and sending lots of positive vibes. The odds are still greatly in your favor and I hope you get good news soon.

Squirtgun

Thoughts and prayers for you and baby! Check out the netflix reccomendations thread to help this time go more quickly for you!

mmk29

jasbaby2 said:

I just got off the phone with the doctor.  she said my ratio is 2.51 and the cutoff for normal is 2.5.  I scheduled an ultrasound at the perinatologist in about a week and a half.   I'm pretty terrified but the doctor I spoke with didn't seem all that concerned.  She mentioned my risk was about 1 in 281 or something like that and kept telling me it would be a different conversation if she was talking about 1 in 2 or 1 in 4. 

I don't mean to be so down but I don't know how much more I can take.  This is my third pregnancy since July 2014, we had two losses,  After normal NIPT results and positive NT/scan blood work results I was starting to let myself think everything was good.  

Hugs! Thoughts and prayers, and I'm so sorry you're going through this. Just keep reminding yourself just how much the numbers are in your favor. You are so so close to normal range. Good luck next week.

DJKai529

@jasbaby2 I got that same dreaded phone call with my son. High maternal AFP as determined by the quad screen. He is one year old, happy, healthy and perfect my official diagnosis was "unexplained elevated maternal AFP". I also had to wait 9 agonizing days for a high-res ultrasound assuming the worst, since this happened over the holidays. Everything looked fine at that high resolution ultrasound, and my midwife later told me she was surprised to hear the blood work result since everything looked fine at the 8 and 12 week u/s's too. Hopefully you find some consolation in that- I was told they often pick up on these things at early ultrasounds and yours were fine.

This pregnancy my quad screen was fine, so they don't have any explanation as to why my son's results were what they were, the best they could tell me was that sometimes it just happens. The only advice I could give is to stay off google! I did a number on myself reading absolute worst case scenarios. I just felt in my heart that my baby was okay and that my dedicated OB would've known if something was seriously wrong at one of the prior scans. It also helped me to know that even extremely mild cases of spina bifida will show up on this screen, and in my saga I found out people I had known for a long time technically had mild spina bifida and you would never know.

Hope this helps, and I really hope you are an "unexplained" case like me. Keep us posted!

brizer21

@jasbaby2 my levels were .01 higher than normal with my first. They had me go to MFM for the anatomy scan so they could take a closer look. Turns out everything was fine, however they did find out at that appointment I had a two-vessel cord which was not related to the test results.

I remember stressing for the entire 2 weeks before my appointment, try not to! The odds are in your favor. Did you have any spotting or bleeding with this pregnancy? My doctor told me that sometimes causes a higher level (I had bleeding in the 1st tri). I've also heard the Quad test yields many false positives. Keep us posted!

brizer21

Forgot to mention my 14 month old came out perfectly healthy

jasbaby2

Thank you both so much for taking the time to post about your experiences.   I know every situation is different but waking up to read this really did help me.

 I did actually have some spotting earlier on....about 8 weeks or so. and then again a week later.  I never had that with my son.   I have also had so many ultrasounds - one at 7 weeks, 8 weeks, 10 weeks, 11 weeks, 12 weeks, 13 weeks and even last week at 16 weeks.  I don't know if something like that is easily missed on my doctors machine though, which certainly isn't as quality as the perinatologist's.

ETA- I spoke with the drs office this morning and I was able to arrange my us for tomorrow afternoon. 

VexyMommy

jasbaby2 said:

Thank you both so much for taking the time to post about your experiences.   I know every situation is different but waking up to read this really did help me.

 I did actually have some spotting earlier on....about 8 weeks or so. and then again a week later.  I never had that with my son.   I have also had so many ultrasounds - one at 7 weeks, 8 weeks, 10 weeks, 11 weeks, 12 weeks, 13 weeks and even last week at 16 weeks.  I don't know if something like that is easily missed on my doctors machine though, which certainly isn't as quality as the perinatologist's.

ETA- I spoke with the drs office this morning and I was able to arrange my us for tomorrow afternoon. 

I'm so glad you'll be able to get in earlier.  Good luck.  My thoughts are with you.

jasbaby2

Thanks so mucH to everyone for all the support. I had my appointment today and everything looked great. I feel so much better after speaking with the perinatologist. He made me feel so much better about the test results in general. I know all situations are different but he assured me that it is very unlikely to have any kind of ntd at a level like 2.51.

VexyMommy

I'm glad the appointment went well and that you are feeling better about the situation.  *hugs*