High AFP

Hi Everyone, I'm new to the group Actually learned about it from the book Twinspiration...which I definitly recommend if you are looking for a positive and informative twinsie book.

Anyway, I recieved my AFP test results back a couple of weeks ago. They were five times too high. Yikes! No risk of SB or Downs. So they think that my placenta has possibly attached to my c-section scar tissue from my first pregnancy. As of now (almost 24 weeks) they do not see anything wrong and I feel fine. A fetal MRI has been mentioned. But I'm a bit concerned about having to lay on my back for so long. Just curious if any of you have seen a high AFP(average is 4ish and mine was 21) and/or had a fetal MRI. The MRI is more for planning purposes- they said to make sure Im not going to bleed so I dont mind doing it but just dont want to pass out in the process.

Thanks in advance for your comments

Lori

 

my OB/peri recommended NOT having the AFP done because the results while carrying twins are artificially high (plus I'm a diabetic - strike 2!) if you're not inclined to to do anything about the pregnancy then I'd just let it go (personally)...otherwise you could have the amnio or fetal MRI...

good luck and welcome!

 

I believe they did the numbers but rechecked via u/s for the markers. Neither girl had enough markers to worry about. As mentioned they are very inaccurate even on single pregnancies! I really don't think it's the best way to screen for those things. Every person who I've know to have high numbers went on to have children with no problems. To me the amino or MRI is a waste of time and money and needless risk.

 

That test has a very high false positive rate among singletons. It's even worse with multiples. I do not do it with any of my pregnancies.

 

Thanks everyone for your feedback. It's nice to hear someone else had sky high numbers What an adventure twin pregnancy is...there is always a possiblity of something it seems.

 

I was also told that the results aren't accurate with a twin pregnancy. Also as far as laying on your back, I know they recommend you don't but I slept on my back throughout both my pregnancies and have three healthy boys. And I survived too!! :lol:

 

My peri did not do that test because he said the results were normally inaccurate for a multiple pregnancy.

 

Just chiming in with the chorus - my numbers were so crazily high, my OBs would not discuss them with me. But they were unconcerned and I went on to have a perfectly healthy, long pregnancy!

:good:

 

Hi KerryLori, and congrats on your twin pregnancy! Like the others have said, try not to be too anxious about "odd" seeming results....multiples tend to throw many of those tests into a tailspin!

Never hesitate to ask your docs questions---they're there to help and reassure....as are all the folks here!

Also wanted to thank you for your kind words on Twinspiration! Glad you liked it....it was a joy to share our experience.

Wishing you a happy, healthy pregnancy and a joyful meeting with your twins!

Best-
Cheryl Lage
Mommy of Darren & Sarah (now TEN!)