1:20 risk of Down's :( Free hcg of 5 and pappa-a of 0.6.

[steph.]

Hi all, just got a call from the doctor saying my baby has a 1:20 risk of Down's. Came as a complete shock, I thought this kind of thing happened to other people, not to me. I cant stop crying I'm trying to stay positive and focus on the fact my baby has a 95% chance of being ok. But to be honest I'm not succeeding, and dont feel positive at all. I am leaning towards having an amnio at the moment but have an appointment with my dr tomorrow to discuss.

At the ultrasound on friday everything looked great, and I am only 27. But my papp-a is 0.6MoM and my free hcg is 5MoM Anyone in the same situation or been through anything similar?

 

[Starlight2]

Hi Steph, firstly, you poor thing I know exactly what you are going through and sending you big huge hugs.
At my 12 week scan, I was told too that my baby had 1:20 chance of Downs based on the blood results (everything looked perfect on the scan). My hcg was 3.36 and my papp-a was a shockingly low 0.16. It all too came as a massive shock and I absolutely fell to pieces.
We decided to go with having the further diagnostic testing and after two failed attempts at a CVS (they couldn't reach the placenta due to it being at the back), I had an amnio at 16 weeks. I am delighted to say that everything came back as normal.
I am now 34 weeks pregnant. Baby is healthy and growing well. I have had regular growth scans as my papp-a was so low and this can sometimes cause problems with growth in the 3rd trimester. But so far so good so we are just hoping and praying that these last weeks go smoothly and baby will arrive safe and sound.
So please please do not give up hope - please try focus on the fact that there is a 95% chance your baby will be just fine. Wishing you all the best with everything and what you decide to do with your doc tomorrow xx

 

[steph.]

Starlight thank you so much for your reply, it gives me hope. I've just been a complete mess today and cant think of anything else. I hope the next few weeks pass by quickly and we get good news.

 

[Wriggley]

hope everything turns out ok - i have a low pappa of 0.23 but my hcg level is also boardline low

 

[steph.]

I saw the doctor today and have booked an amnio for next friday, will probably get preliminary results on monday. He said that the baby was actually measuring too big to be able to do the combined test properly. It was measuring 89mm but they can only calculate a proper risk if the baby is between 45- 84mm, so that may have skewed my results slightly. Either way it doesnt change that my hcg level is so high and my pappa-a low. I did have high hcg with my dd at 2.88MoM but my pappa-a was also high so she wasnt high risk. Anyway these are going to be a looooong 10 days.

 

[bumpnotyet]

Thinking of you sweetie, please let us know how you get on and keep us updated xx

 

[steph.]

Thank you bumpnotyet. I will keep this thread updated on how everything goes. I cant wait until next Monday to know the preliminary results. It feels like my life has been put on hold until then.

So sorry for the loss of your baby boy

 

[bumpnotyet]

Ah bless you Steph,I can only imagine it must be all you can think about lovely, what a stressful time really do hope you're ok, please do keep us updated and I'll keep checking back to hear your news which I'm so sure will be so positive! There's such a brilliant chance of everything being perfect, but of course it must be such a worry for you, I really am thinking of you and will be including you in my prayers xx
Thank you so much for your kind words about our little one! Means so much to me, big hugs xx

 

[MrsBroodyPant]

I know what u are going through. It is such a rollercoaster.
My papp-a was very low at 0.08 and my hcg was low too. I had a cvs done and my baby did have a chromosome disorder and couldnt live. My papp-a was a massive indication but it was a lot lower than yours. U have a good chance of a healthy child. I wish u lots of luck xxx

 

[steph.]

Thanks mrsbroodpants. I followed your story and posted on your thread and I was just thinking of you! Now I fully understand what you must have gone through waiting to hear a definite diagnosis, and as I remember you had to wait a lot longer than I will. The waiting is so hard, hearing the poor diagnosis must be even worse. Again, i am so sorry for the loss of your little girl.

The past few days I have been doing a bit better, I managed to stop crying and trying to keep busy so I dont google. We are hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.

 

[MrsBroodyPant]

Yes keeping busy helped me and is still helping me get by. Waiting for the results is hard but try not to wish the time away. Im hoping for a good result for u. All the best xxx

 

[Andypanda6570]

Thinking of you! I just know all will turn out good. Wishing you good luck for Friday.. Stay positive the statistics are definitely in your favor..XOXOOX

 

[steph.]

Thanks andy! I like your positivity! I vary from having faith that everything is going to be ok, to thinking well someone has to be the "1" out of 20. Why not me?
Through my endless googling i have accross stories of people with similar hcg and papp-a numbers. Some have had healthy babies, other had a dx of downs, and other of triploidy so theres really no way to know. By the time monday comes I´ll be a nervous wreck sitting by the phone waiting for it to ring! Uuuuuuugh!

 

[Andypanda6570]

Thanks andy! I like your positivity! I vary from having faith that everything is going to be ok, to thinking well someone has to be the "1" out of 20. Why not me?
Through my endless googling i have accross stories of people with similar hcg and papp-a numbers. Some have had healthy babies, other had a dx of downs, and other of triploidy so theres really no way to know. By the time monday comes I´ll be a nervous wreck sitting by the phone waiting for it to ring! Uuuuuuugh!

Believe me i know how you feel. Before I could do the Amnio I lost Ava, so I know how frustrating the waiting game is/ You have to think positive . I just have a good feeling that all will be ok, but I know the worry isn't going away till you hear the words everything is ok. I will be with you in spirit.. XOOXXO

 

[DebbieF]

Thanks andy! I like your positivity! I vary from having faith that everything is going to be ok, to thinking well someone has to be the "1" out of 20. Why not me?
Through my endless googling i have accross stories of people with similar hcg and papp-a numbers. Some have had healthy babies, other had a dx of downs, and other of triploidy so theres really no way to know. By the time monday comes I´ll be a nervous wreck sitting by the phone waiting for it to ring! Uuuuuuugh!

Good luck to you, Steph. Google is really not our friend at times like this.

 

[steph.]

Well the amnio is in less than 24 hours and I am super nervous. Not about the procedure itself but by the results. But at least I will have an answer either way. I was feeling quite positive yesterday, but today I've convinced myself there is something wrong with the baby. I will update after the amnio.

 

[steph.]

Oh also I can feel the baby move now. Something that should make me so happy is making me sad. She seems more real.

 

[MrsBroodyPant]

Good luck with the test and the results. At least this test tells u a definate answer. Not knowing can be just as hard as dealing with the truth. Hopefully everything will be well and u can get excited about feeling the baby move xxx

 

[steph.]

I had my amnio this morning. It wasnt too bad. The dr said it was quite straight forward and that the baby stayed on the other side of the uterus and didnt even realise what was going on. I was surprised he didnt use a local anaethetic though, he just shoved a massive needle into my belly! I closed my eyes and held on to hubby´s hand and it was all over in about 2 minutes.

They did an ultrasound before the procedure and baby is still looking good and measuring right on target. Of course that doesnt mean she doesnt have any abnormalities but its reassuring.

Now i have a very long weekend to get through before i find out the results. I´ll try to take your advice mrsbroodypants and not wish this time away. My sister came round today with a bag full of chocolate,cookies, cupcakes and tea so tomorrow the plan is for me to stay in bed with said bag and hubby to take my dd out for the day. It will be my first lazy day in 17 months!

 

[littleone2010]

Im glad the amnio wasn't too bad. I had the cvs and it was horrible. the waiting is so hard I know. Try and keep your mind on other things and not think the worst. I had a 1:13 chance and was devastated everything came back normal though thank goodness. Good luck xxxx