XP: Abnormal 1st Tri screening Bloodwork

Las135

Hello everyone I am cross posting this from PgAL b/c I didnt get any answers there!! Just curious for those of you that opted to get the 1st Trimester Genetic screen, if anyone had a similar experience.

So my NT ultrasound measurements were perfect, and combined with the bloodwork I tested Negative, a 1:10,000 chance of a chromosomal problem. Great news. By the way, I recieved these results on my voicemail since I was sleeping during the call (Im a night shift RN), at the end of the message she proceeds to say "but something in your bloodwork showed up abnormal, please dont worry, but call me back as soon as possible). Of course the office was closed by the time I got the message, so I freaked out, and had to wait until this a.m to call them.

Anyway, basically my PaPP-A came back slightly lower than normal. She said it isn't a huge deal, but there is a very small chance that I am at a higher risk for preeclampsia, PTL, fetal growth restriction. NOT A HUGE DEAL?!?! So basically, I will get US at 20, 24, 28 weeks and so on, and have twice a week stress tests once I am 32 weeks. I don't mind getting to see LO more often, but I can't help but be nervous.

Any experience with this ladies??

LadyNikon

this is why I have always had problems with "making you aware.." and worry. If they don't seem that concerned then I wouldn't be too concerned.  They are just making you aware of what complications that *can* possibly happen with a result such as that.  I wouldn't worry too much.. just ask them is there anything that you can do to assist them in helping you avoid those symptoms.

deziraeb

I haven't had experience with this but I know that worry one feels when something isn't 100% alright. I don't really know what those tests really relate to but it sounds like your doctor is going to keep a close eye on everything. It's probably something you can't change in any way and I know it's hard to not worry but not stressing is the best medicine right now, especially if pre-e is a concern - don't want that BP going up for no reason! Take a deep breath, calm down and trust that your doc will keep your LO safe and you well informed!

Las135

Ladynikon:

this is why I have always had problems with "making you aware.." and worry. If they don't seem that concerned then I wouldn't be too concerned.  They are just making you aware of what complications that *can* possibly happen with a result such as that.  I wouldn't worry too much.. just ask them is there anything that you can do to assist them in helping you avoid those symptoms.

The genetic counselor didn't seem all that concerned, and I have an appt with my OB tomorrow afternoon to discuss this a bit more.  I really tried not to stress, but I came home after getting the news and immediately googled it.... Not a good idea.  Google is the devil! haha. Thanks for responding.

Njammer

I just had a similar "scare".  Although your chromosonal ratios where much better then mine, I was 1:91 for Trisomy 18 and 1:265 for Downs. My papp-a is .2 where I think 1.0 is "normal"  After meeting with a genetic counsler she brought up this low papp-a to me and my husband. She made me feel like it was just something to be monitered  Which like you I googled when I got home and was terrified upon my results and was convinced someone wasn't telling me everything.  However after meeting with my high risk obgyn he did not seem concerned one bit especially since my early level 2 scan showed no markers for trisomy.  Apparently a low papp-a is makes you at a great risk for Trisomy 18 as well. There is one chromosomal condition which is also associated with a low papp-a which I can't even remember the name of but he said it was so rare, it was not something I should worry about one bit.  So I think what it comes down to is we will be monitored a little more closely. So glad you posted this, seems Papp-a is a realitively new thing they are testing for.  I will be happy to see how you pregnancy progresses! Good luck and keep me posted!

kdg31684

I also tested low, will be getting ultrasounds every month.  I've talked with 2 drs in my practice and none of them seem concerned, even the person who I talked to after finding out was like, "oh you'll be getting a lot of pictures of your baby" like it was a good thing, meanwhile I'm freaking out!  After talking with the doctors I feel much better.

JoNi2010

Ladynikon:

this is why I have always had problems with "making you aware.." and worry. If they don't seem that concerned then I wouldn't be too concerned.  They are just making you aware of what complications that *can* possibly happen with a result such as that.  I wouldn't worry too much.. just ask them is there anything that you can do to assist them in helping you avoid those symptoms.

I agree.  I work in the medical field and we come across things like this all the time.  These test results stratify your risks, and does NOT give you a definitive diagnosis.  You have to put everything else together.

My own anatomy scan at 19 weeks showed an "echogenic spot" in baby's heart.  It's one of the signs (out of like 30 signs they look for) that can increase your chances of chromosomal abnormalities.  But, being Asian, the OB told me too that also increases my chances of seeing this "echogenic spot" in the heart without any abnormalities.  So yeah, it increased my chances for a Down's baby slightly.  But in the setting of everything else being so good, I am choosing NOT to sweat it at this time, which in turn calms DH down too.