Pregnant and told I have antibodies (Rhesus positive)

Counting_Pennies_2

Hi all,

Following on from my desperate - I am spotting - post of last week, I went in for a GP appointment just to get some cream today, and my GP had a letter that arrived today following my 28 week antibody screening to say I have antibodies.

It is all quite scary and I am waiting for an obstetrics appointment, but while I am waiting for the appointment I thought I'd ask you all if any of you have been screened as positive antibodies and what the implications were for you.

Sorry I know it isn't money saving, but it will give me peace of mind if I can hear back from others.

Many thanks

georgieb_2

your question is a bit vague tbh but i think you maybe talking about blood group negative and positive, they usually test at 28 weeks prior to giving anti d injections - do you know if you are rhesus negative blood group? this could explain the spotting
but it may not if i havent understood you correctly!

TheWaltons_3

Hmmm this is what I thought when you said you had antibodies... although I could be way off...

.. if you are Rhesus Negative blood group... your baby could very well (more than likely) be Rhesus positive, in which case, you will need to have Anti D injections to protect your blood from attacking your babies... or vice versa!

You will have this before and after the pregnancy - I think you get 3 injections in total.

Nothing to worry about. I am Rhesus Neg and my children are positive.

Bettyboop

Counting_Pennies, I think I'm probably understanding your post along the lines of you having a negative blood group i.e A-. When I was pregnant they discovered that I was rhesus negative and I had to have three lots of injections. Two while pregnant and another when my daughter was born as she came out A+. As far as I am aware it's just a precaution incase any of your blood crosses into the placenta and your baby turns out to have a positive blood group of some sort. I may have gone over the top....but if this isn't the answer you are needing I'm sure someone will be along soon. Good Luck.

Counting_Pennies_2

Hi all,

Sorry to be so vague.

I am Rhesus Positive, and have been told that at some point, probably in my first pregnancy, my blood has been contaminated, probably during the birth process. Apparently 3 in every 100 get this problem.

I have been told I need to be checked every two weeks for the antibodies, and if it rises above a certain level the baby will need to be born early or have a transfusion while still inside.

A bit scary to be honest, just wondering if anyone else has had this?

Thanks

heather38

not me, but my mother in law had this, a long time ago now.
chin up and stop panicing! hard to do i know, but all will be well

TheWaltons_3

Counting_Pennies wrote: »

Hi all,

Sorry to be so vague.

I am Rhesus Positive, and have been told that at some point, probably in my first pregnancy, my blood has been contaminated, probably during the birth process. Apparently 3 in every 100 get this problem.

I have been told I need to be checked every two weeks for the antibodies, and if it rises above a certain level the baby will need to be born early or have a transfusion while still inside.

A bit scary to be honest, just wondering if anyone else has had this?

Thanks

So is the baby Rhesus Neg?

littletiger

Hi

This might be of some use to you, but most of the information availible about antibodies in pregnancy is geared towards people with rhesus antibodies, which seems like it isnt your problem

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ate/heartandblood/202590.html

bylromarha

(((Counting_Pennies)))

Can't add any more info than already posted above, but pregnancy is not fun when things don't go smoothly. Just eat too much chocolate and enjoy rubbing your bump as the docs know what they're doing and will have dealt with lots of mums and tums in your situation.

All the best.

Counting_Pennies_2

TheWaltons wrote: »

So is the baby Rhesus Neg?

I don't know.

The only other thing I remember from the conversation with the doctor is it is C antibodies.

My husband is going to have his blood group confirmed so that blood can be on standby for a transfusion for the baby when it arrives, so that they will have both blood types in readiness for it, but that is all I know so far.

I am in a bit of a whirl to be honest, and will try to contact my consultant at the hospital to try to get reassurance tomorrow, as I am probably worrying unnecessarily, but every twinge I get I keep feeling I am harming my baby with the spotting last week and this antibody thing today!

Justie

Counting_Pennies wrote: »

Hi all,

Sorry to be so vague.

I am Rhesus Positive, and have been told that at some point, probably in my first pregnancy, my blood has been contaminated, probably during the birth process. Apparently 3 in every 100 get this problem.

I have been told I need to be checked every two weeks for the antibodies, and if it rises above a certain level the baby will need to be born early or have a transfusion while still inside.

A bit scary to be honest, just wondering if anyone else has had this?

Thanks

It sounds as though at some point during your first pregnancy (or birth) your baby's blood got mixed with yours - your body then produced antibodies to this 'invading' blood but only a small amount. The new pregnancy has reminded the body of this previous 'invasion' and so your body will produce more antibodies as it has the building blocks already in place (hence why Rh- mums are given injections after the birth of their first child to remove the antibodies to Rh+ blood as subsequent pregnancies will be more affected than a first one). It's like when we're given inoculations which have a small amount of a bug in them so that our body can create its own antibodies so that should we be infected for 'real' our body is already a step ahead.

The good news is that it's been picked up in the blood tests and can now be monitored. This means that your baby should be in no danger as they can and will induce early if necessary and give the transfusion. There's no reason to think that every twinge or odd thing is because of the antibodies (although you're bound to worry). Trust the doctors on this one and try to relax, although I know it's hard. The biggest danger for your baby would be if they didn't know you had these antibodies.