Anti E antibodies

[ilikeelephants]

I have this. Anyone else? I can't find much recent stuff online other than often caused by blood transfusion (this is the case for me) and that they repeat bloods at 28 weeks to see if levels have risen. Mine are 1:4 at mo so fine but over 32 they monitor closely. I know that baby may get jaundice or in worse case blood transfusion or HDN. Any experiences out there? I'm worried but there is nothing I can do so kind of no point worrying. I feel a bit sad as now will just be stressed about birth (no 2) rather than ok with it as will be wondering what will happen to baby when he/she comes out. What I'd be keen to know is likelihood of problems occurring really, and if baby gets jaundice, what to expect.

[AbbeyRoadCrossing]

Hello, I have anti c, K and E. My consultant told me that E rarely causes problems and they aren't worried about that in my case. It should be a 4 weekly blood test until 28 weeks when it will become 2 weekly.
Not sure what happens at the birth yet as I'm 38 weeks so haven't crossed that bridge yet. In my case they are concerned about the anti c and will test the baby's blood at birth to see how good/bad it is.

[AbbeyRoadCrossing]

Here's my thread about it if it helps, some very knowledgeable posters on there www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/2458877-Anti-little-c-antibodies

[Mydearchild]

I had this in my 2nd pregnancy with my ds nearly 11 years ago now. I found out at 12 weeks and had blood tests every midwife appointment. At 36 weeks my levels became unsafe so I was induced (highly inconvenient as it was Christmas week!) ds was in special care for 2 nights then we were able to go home. He suffered no long lasting effects. I was told in subsequent pregnancies it could reach higher levels quicker meaning the unborn baby would have to have blood transfusions with a higher risk of miscarriage. Seemed like a good reason to stop at 2 dc! With close monitoring you should be absolutely fine.

[ilikeelephants]

Thanks both. Helpful. AbbeyRoad good luck. Hope all goes well - sure it will

[AbbeyRoadCrossing]

Thank you, I'll try and pop on here and let you know what happens. I had my pre op earlier this week for ELCS and they order in an exact match of blood for me, and will test the baby's cord blood at birth. They said they'll do all the tests in the room so they won't separate me from baby unless absolutely necessary. So doesn't sound as scary as it did earlier in the pregnancy. Hope this reassures you a bit - good luck

[AbbeyRoadCrossing]

I had DD on Monday. So what happens at birth is they do a test on the cord. They let me have a quick snuggle first and the test was quick. Then results came back in the middle of the night. She'd had a mild reaction but was OK. Then they check for jaundice and observed for 2 days.
There were actually no problems but because no one's heard of it they are extra cautious. Good luck!

[EldonAve]

Congratulations!

[AbbeyRoadCrossing]

Thank you Eldon and thank you for all your help on the other thread

[frosch]

I have anti E antibodies. It was picked up very early in my second pregnancy and was monitored very closely. Was scanned and had blood taken every week. At one point, the titres doubled rapidly until they reached 1:32 and my consultant explained that they were tentatively preparing for an in vitro blood transfusion (at about 32 weeks, IIRC). Then, almost as quickly as it happened, the titres fell again and the blood transfusion wasn't required. They did, however, want me delivered of DD as soon as safely possible and booked me in for an ELCS at 38 weeks. My DD was delivered and less than 24 hours after birth, turned rather yellow. Was placed in a fantastic UFO-type ultraviolet incubator for a week, whilst the light broke down the bilirubin. I've been warned that subsequent pregnancies will result in a higher risk of HDN and I've been given a card to carry in case of emergency, to let whomever treats me know that I have anti E antibodies.

There isn't much that you can do, other than relax and enjoy your pregnancy. Congratulations AbbeyRoad and good luck ilikeelephants.