XP: Natural birth and risks associated with low PAPP-A

littlemac1117

So I got the results from my sequential screening back today, and all is well as far as chromosome abnormalities, but apparently I have low PAPP-A (pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A). The risks involved are low birth weight, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm labor, pre-e, and stillbirth. Has anyone had this or know anyone who has? I am trying not to worry, but I think the thing that is upsetting me the most is that there is nothing I can do to help the situation. Basically, the only thing we can do right now is wait, and I will be getting growth ultrasounds every 4 weeks. I'm trying to be optimistic, I just wish I had a clearer picture of what this all means, or that there was something I could change (diet, exercise, whatever) that could help the situation, but there isn't.

I was told today that for pre-e they will usually induce, but because I am a VBAC hopeful, they will not induce me, and I will most likely just go right into surgery. Obviously I will do what needs to be done to have my baby safely, but I am so so scared of a RCS. Basically, if this pregnancy ends in a RCS, I am done having babies. The risks of subsequent c/s's scare me way more than the risk of a rupture. I am trying so hard to not freak out about this, and to stay positive about the whole thing, but I am really scared.

Has anyone dealt with this? What was the outcome? Did it affect your ability to have a med-free birth? Any info is greatly appreciated.

amainah

Hi - 

I had this with my first, about 4 years ago.  Short answer is that it had no impact on him and I was able to have a med-free birth.  I had an extra ultrasound at around 34 weeks (can't remember when exactly), and at that one and the 20 week ultrasound he measured big (about a week ahead, and I had charted so I knew my ovulation timing).    

If you are not doing so already, I would suggest talking with your doc/midwife about taking the steps of extra calcium and magnesium to prevent pre-e.  

 

littlemac1117

Thank you so much! I actually got a call today from my favorite mw in the practice, and she told me not to worry. She basically said that I should just take a deep breath and relax. The only thing we can do is wait, and do the growth u/s. She made me feel so much better, and so does this! I have a feeling that the other mw I talked to tends to be sort of...alarming, I guess.