P&PT please - persistently elevated AFPs - UPDATE OP!

[TxCat]

Update: just heard back from my OB - amnio was negative for a neural tube defect and chromosomal microarray came back normal; the full chromosomal panel will be back later this week, but odds are after all of the other negative results to date, should be negative as well. I'm so relieved! So, just twice weekly monitoring starting between 28-32 weeks for signs of pre-eclampsia, IUGR, and low fluid, but l'll take it!

Thank you all so much for the support, kindness, and P&PT. We weren't telling too many people IRL because there were just too many unknowns and I wasn't comfortable discussing it, so it helped soooo much to get my worries out on this board. Thank you ladies again.

2nd update: ok, just spoke to my MFM. So essentially the amnio was negative for a neural tube defect, but did show an elevated AFP, which can be associated with some exceedingly rare genetic conditions, but usually with AFP levels much higher than mine. So, I'm getting referred for a fetal MRI just to be sure we aren't missing anything. I'm still feeling cautiously optimistic.


So, just when I had gotten to the point that I was starting to relax and enjoy this pregnancy, yet another hurdle. My 2nd trimester screening, the AFP, came back elevated, and the repeat did as well. Good news is the ultrasounds have all been negative for neural tube or abdominal wall defects. Having an amniocentesis first thing Monday morning to rule out possibility of a very small neural tube defect (so small as to be missed on ultrasound) or a chromosomal/genetic problem. If that's negative, high unexplained AFP levels can mean a bad placenta and can increase the risk of fetal growth restriction or spontaneous fetal demise. :( So, increased monitoring for the rest of pregnancy. Oh, and my MFM wants to check liver studies, to make sure we're not missing a malignancy. :( And all on this on DH's birthday today.

Would appreciate any P&PT people can share. After two miscarriages, we were so ready to appreciate a normal, healthy pregnancy.

[Philly Mom]

Lots of positive thoughts heading your way. Many hugs to you.

[vludmilla]

I hope that you learn soon that everything is just fine. Much PT's for you.

[BDKmom]

Lots of P&PT headed your way.

[scrooks]

Oh my goodness! Lots of prayers and thoughts coming your way!

[marymoo86]

P&PT for you and Munchkin 2.0!!

[Tea4two]

P&PT all is well.

[sarahsthreads]

Lots of P&PTs!

Sarah

[kaharris83]

Sending PTs your way!! Hope Monday shows all is well.

[Liziz]

Sending lots of P&PT your way.

[Myira]

Many P&PTs headed your way. Hoping come Monday everything turns out ok and you get back to enjoying the rest of your pregnancy in peace.

[nrp]

I had a high AFP with my second pregnancy that, after everything else was ruled out, was determined to be likely the result of some spotting a couple of weeks prior. It turned out that I had a previa, but it was marginal and posed no issues other than requiring a c-section. Prayers that you will have as benign a result!

[georgiegirl]

My thoughts are with you. I hope you get some answers soon.

[Indianamom2]

Oh my...that's a lot on your heart/mind! I will keep you and your baby in my thoughts and prayers.

[elektra]

PT for you guys!

[MontrealMum]

Sending lots of P&PT to you!!!!

[waitingforgrace]

P&PT for all of you

[ArizonaGirl]

Thinking of you and your family. :hug:

[queenmama]

Prayers for a positive outcome!

Lara

[lovin2shop]

Lots of P&PT's headed your way! Take care of yourself and try your best not to worry!

[larig]

Many pts! Hope you get good news and can relax!

[Beth24]

I'm so sorry. Sending PT your way.

[rin]

Oh goodness! I'll be thinking of you and your family; what a scary thing to be grappling with. :hug:

[citymama]

Sending P&PT. Have faith and try and relax despite the stress you must be feeling. I sincerely hope everything is just fine with the baby - and the chances are really good that they are!

[pinay]

Lots of P&PT being sent your way- we had a scare with the AFP results for DD2 that turned out to be nothing, she's now a happy and healthy 7 month old. Hope you have a similar outcome!

[goldenpig]

PT for good news from the amnio! I'm sorry you're stressed out and hope it's nothing and everything's normal.
I also failed the screening with DD and was told she had a 1:7 chance of Down Syndrome and was advised I could have an amnio that same day. I was totally freaked out, especially waiting for the amnio results, but everything turned out normal in the end. So I understand the stress and am sending you hugs and positive vibes!

[Mali]

Sending P&PT your way! :hug:

[BabyBearsMom]

Lots of PT coming your way

[MamaMolly]

P&PT on the way!!!

[spannaz]

Sendings lots of P&PT's your way for some answers quick! Hugs!!


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[ourbabygirl]

Lots of P & PTs coming your way! :hug:

[mommyp]

More P&PTs on the way! :hug:

[SnuggleBuggles]

I hope everything is ok!

[kdeunc]

Hope everything goes well for you!

[theriviera]

PT for great, positive news from the amnio! I understand the fear and not being able to relax at all. I'm sorry that you have to face another hurdle and I hope it's the last one so you can enjoy the rest of a hopefully uneventful pregnancy.

[arivecchi]

Sending more PT your way. :hug:

[Sweetsunshine]

Here's some more PP & T for you.

[ZeeBaby]

Lots of positive thoughts that all goes well today.

[sarahsthreads]

Lots of positive thoughts that all goes well today.

Yes, this! Hoping that you get good answers today and can relax and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy!

Sarah :)

[lizzywednesday]

P&PT for you.

I didn't have screen results come back funky, but we did catch DD's heart defect on the full-anatomy scan, which led to a fetal echo & subsequent amnio to rule out genetic issues.

The worst part was waiting for the FISH results.

[TxCat]

Thanks everyone for all the support and understanding. I love this community.

Amnio itself went well this morning, now just taking it easy at home for the next two days. Some results should be back by the end of the week, and full chromosomal analysis early next week. Soooo hoping that this is a placental problem and I can just have closer monitoring for the remaining few months.

[WatchingThemGrow]

Glad things went well - just rest and wait. P&PT for you.

[bisous]

So far so good. You'll have your answers soon. Definitely sending prayers!

[AngB]

Sending prayers. Glad the amnio went well.

I had high AFP levels with DD, in our case it was IUGR/bad placenta/HELLP, but a lot of times it really is a fluke.

[lchang25000]

Lots of P&PT your way. Glad the amino went smoothly.

[arivecchi]

Glad to hear the amnio went smoothly. Hope you get those results asap. I know the wait is not fun.

[georgiegirl]

Thinking of you. Hugs.

[doberbrat]

hoping you got some positive news yesterday:heartbeat:

[TxCat]

Thanks everyone for the well-wishes and checking in. No news yet, so sometime in the coming week. Although my MFM has been known to call me on Sunday afternoons with results, so who knows...

It also helps to hear other's experiences with similar situations - amnio, AFP elevations, etc., so thanks for sharing.

[speo]

I hope you get positive news.

I'll add my story with DS1. At around 30 weeks I my fundal height started measuring small. As they started to monitor me, ds was diagnosed with asymmetric IUGR. I was monitored closely and they were hoping he would make it to 5 lbs by the end because he was measuring so small. I was put on bedrest. And eventually I was induced at 39 weeks. The amniotic fluid level had been decreasing over time and it was down to 3.5 (inductions happen at 5). He weighed 6 lb 3 oz when he was born and we were amazed. He was totally healthy. The placenta was about the third the size of a normal placenta and was extremely calcified. In the end though, everything turned out great!

[baymom]

Sending you lots of P&PT!!

[sste]

Tex, thinking of you and your little one.

[TxCat]

Update in OP. :)

[Philly Mom]

Great news!

[bisous]

SOOO happy for you!!

[citymama]

Such great news! Very happy for you and the baby.

[AngB]

Great news!

FWIW, my docs started doing monthly growth ultrasounds after my abnormal results and they had ruled out spina bifida starting immediately (like the first follow up was at 22 wks). I don't know how far along you are but I wouldn't want to go more than a month without an eye on the baby's growth.

Fingers crossed you have smooth sailing and an easy pregnancy the rest of the way.

[TxCat]

Great news!

FWIW, my docs started doing monthly growth ultrasounds after my abnormal results and they had ruled out spina bifida starting immediately (like the first follow up was at 22 wks). I don't know how far along you are but I wouldn't want to go more than a month without an eye on the baby's growth.

Fingers crossed you have smooth sailing and an easy pregnancy the rest of the way.

Thanks Angie.

Yes, we're definitely doing regular growth scans - I'll see my MFM every 4 weeks for a growth scan, and then the NST/AFI weekly/twice weekly with my regular OB. At this point, I'll be grateful with the peace of mind that will come with extra monitoring.

[elektra]

Continued PT TxCat!