Low 7.4 AFP/0.23 MoM @ 16wks- after low risk 5.5%FF NIPT @ 12 wks

Please help, MyChart resulted an AFP blood draw that’s low (care team hasn’t even opened it yet). Anatomy scan 2 weeks from now, msg left with Dr and trying hard to breathe and not cry.

I hope this is the right place to post, please any thoughts/experiences would help until my OB returns my message. I’m struggling to not panic and found you guys researching online. I’m 18 weeks pregnant with a surprise little girl, I’m also turning 39 next week. No diabetes though I have POTS and intracranial hypertension if it’s relevant. This is my 4^(th) pregnancy. All three prior children are healthy with uneventful pregnancies, though 2 have high functioning autism diagnosis they flourish with. There was no NIPT or anything with my last baby 11 years ago. I’m a former medic so I have some medical background, but this isn’t my wheelhouse. I’ve got just enough prenatal knowledge to paint worst nightmares with vivid colors.

I had a NIPT at 12 weeks, the Natera Panorama. It came back low risk for everything and a 5.5% fetal fraction. My OB didn’t express any concern. Last appointment at 16.1 weeks I had a blood draw for Alpha Fetoprotein and it just resulted in my providers app today. The only impression it said was no NTD since values weren’t high.

The Alpha Fetoprotein was 7.4 ng/mL and the MoM was 0.23. That looked low to me so some online research happened, and I’m terrified. I called OB’s nurse line and left a voicemail but I wouldn’t be surprised if that took days. I understand that low AFP numbers can indicate a few things, and it’s terrifying. And I haven’t seen as much info out there for low AFB numbers like 0.23.

Thank you all so much for being here. I’m still at work so haven’t even been able to tell my husband yet, I’m just at my desk swallowing down panic trying to keep a straight face.