Antibodies?

[whatwho]

Hi all,

We had a call from the midwife at 8pm this evening, saying that I have 'antibodies' showing up in blood that was taken yesterday. She couldn't tell me what the antibodies were, but needed a sample of dh blood to mix with mine to see if there was a reaction.

Our blood types are both O+, so I assume that the problem doesn't relate to Rhesus +/- issues. The midwife couldn't (or mayble wouldn't?) give me any more information, but as she called so late and insisted the dh sample was taken at 9pm tomorrow, it sounds as though it might be serious. Anyone have any ideas what these mysterious antibodies might be, and what the implications of their presence are? (PS currently 35 weeks)

hope everything is o.k. I wouldn't worry too much about it, they are probably being extra careful. XXX

hi Whatwho..dont panic too much,although it can be frightening when they do this.
I have anti k antibodies in my blood,they dont affect me but can affect any babies I carry.They found mine after my first bloodtest,my partner at the time had to have a test too.With me they tested my blood every month till I was 26 weeks then every fortnight till birth.I also had to have scans right through the pregnancies.
Anti k can make the baby anaemic so thats why they keep a close eye,can also affect their growth,they also did a cord blood test at birth.
I was very lucky with my 2 pregancies neither were affected.

I hope that its nothing too serious and you wont have all that as youre quite a way along.Try not to worry too much,and let us know how you get on.

Hello I have type c anti bodies, discovered when i got pregnant with Ds (my 3rd). When firts discovered, the level was so low that they were classed as no clinical significance and they said they just keep retesting.
Unfortunatly the level rose and at 25 ish weeks I had to have all my antenatal care transferred to another hospital. From then on I had fortnightly blood tests and scans. My level rose still but seemed to come to a stand still at about 5. something.
They scan you regularly to check from signs that the baby is becoming anemiac or jaundiced whilst in the womb. If this happened early on and was serious they would give the baby a transfusion whilst still in the womb.

Thankfully my baby never had any problems at all whilst in the womb. He was delivered at 37 weeks, but that was because of another problem not the antibodies.
After the birth babies can still be affected by the anti bodies as they are still in their blood. My Ds firstly became jaundiced and was treated on a billybed for it. He had regular heel prick tests to check his iron and billirubin levels.
He stayed in hospital for 7 days and was such an angel. He remained jaundiced for about 3/4 weeks and then unfortunatly he became anemiac, again due to the antibodies still in his blood. He had to take folic acid, but thankfully escaped a transfusion, and was finally fully discharged at about 9 weeks old.
He is now an incredibly happy and healthy nearly 4 year old.

TBH, as you are already 35 weeks, i really wouldn't panic. Even if the anti bodies have reached a level where they are significant, i would doubt that you would need any treatment as if the level was that high, they would have picked it up before now.

Anyway, sorry for the ramble. The whole thing baffled me but it really isn't as bad as it sounds.

Message withdrawn

Many thanks for all the messages - I am trying not to worry too much. My own research also unearthed stuff about jaundice and anaemia, but as I have no idea what the antibodies are, I will just have to wait for the test results. I just wish they wouldn?t make panic phone calls to insist on immediate tests, and then make you wait 5-6 days for the results!

Gotta love the medical profession - I know that they are doing their very best for us, but they do manage to frighten the life out of us as well