Anti E detected after blood tests, does anybody have any experience or know what to expect?

[Winterbaby21]

I'm just over 12 weeks and found out today that 'anti E antibodies' we're detected in my blood sample which I gave at my midwife booking in appointment.

I had to give 3 more vials of blood today at the hospital (I was at the EPU for pain, it was them who saw this into on my notes and requested more bloods)

I'm not entirely sure what this means other than there being an increased risk of baby having jaundice?

I have a short report saying "If transfusion is nessecary please allow 48 hours notice"

Any experience or advice would be welcome.

Sorry no experience of this one. Have they referred you to consultant led care? If so they should be able to give you all the information you need about it.

I'll be under consultant led care due to (unrelated) complications with my last and me opting for a section this time. My MW told me doctors would be working closely with me throughout but I haven't received an appointment to see one yet, just a routine anomaly scan on 1st May (when ill be around 14 weeks)

I don't feel very well informed at the moment, especially in light of this.

I think I'll give my MW a call.

Thank you for replying

I had anti-d antibodies in my blood (I'm thesis negative) during pregnancy, I just did a google and apparently 14-20% of pregnant women have anti-e in their blood, I'd never heard of it! I'm guessing though that probably means it's nothing too scary, but I'd definitely want to check.

I think the transfusion thing is because if you needed a blood transfusion for any reason, they would have to use e-negative blood.

Rhesus 🤦🏼‍♀️ not thesis

It seems it's quite rare. I imagine they will need to scan you much more often and may need to deliver early if babys growth is impacted. The midwives should be able to offer you more information or at least point you in the direction of someone with experience of it. Good luck.

Hi, I have anti Cw antibodies - had them during my first pregnancy with my daughter (now two) and have them again this time round (currently 10+2). Not sure if it is the same for anti E but for mine they take extra vials of blood when it is first detected to see what level of the antibodies are in your blood and then take more blood at 28 weeks to check this again. If it’s under a certain level, there’s nothing to worry about - if over a certain level, they will likely be more vigilant with extra blood tests and scans etc as higher likelihood of newborn difficulties. My hospital also said that regardless of the level that they would want to have enough blood available in case of a transfusion - this was put in process, I believe, after the additional blood was taken at 28 weeks. For us, it never came to anything as the level of the antibodies was never high enough for them to be worried, no transfusion was needed after birth (vaginal delivery) and my daughter was born completely healthy. We’ll see what happens this time... but I hope it also turns out to be a non-event for you!

I was anti K and like mimpimmim didnt come to anything as levels stayed within level but there had been talk of in womb transfusions if level went high. I was told with each subsequent pregnancy levels start earlier. I was done with 2.
Rhesus neg has the anti d injection but others don't

Thank you all for your replies and experiences, I appreciate it.

I've left a message for my midwife to call me back when possible.

I had a scan today as i'd been having quite a bit of pain which they couldn't find a cause for but I've been told my anomaly scan booked for 1st May will need to be brought forward, not sure if that's because of the anti e information or not?

Would suspect that’s because of you having a scan today rather than the anti-e - I had an early scan at 6 weeks due to unexplained pain and they wanted to do a follow up at 9 weeks for reassurance. I actually had my additional bloods for the anti-cw antibodies on the same day as the 9+4 scan and there’s been no talk of any additional scans aside from the standard 12 week one in a couple of weeks. Hope that’s all it is for you too

I have anti-E antibodies. I had to have extra scans and my partner’s blood tested. This time they also tested baby’s blood from mine (I have a high titre) Thankfully baby doesn’t carry the E antigen so isn’t at risk. But usually all they would do is extra scans to assess for signs of anaemia and then take some blood from the cord at delivery. You will also need blood cross matched if you require transfusion I.e. not emergency blood. Sounded scary at first but my consultant was pretty relaxed about it all

I have anti E - I have to carry a card with me and it’s in my medical notes. They did bloods last time I was pregnant but all round seemed very unconcerned, I’m pregnant again so guess it will depend on blood results etc.

Thank you so much ladies, I came back here to check the replies and I'm glad I did as I was worrying a little this morning.

I had a call back from my midwife team but only to say that a specific midwife would be calling me back to discuss, at least I know they haven't forgotten about me!

When I had my DD in April 2019 she was quite jaundiced but it wasn't explained to me why? I wonder whether it was the same thing although nothing was ever mentioned to me after blood tests. I did need a transfusion after DD was born so it's possible that the anti E came from that too I guess.

So there are many many different antibodies you can have in your blood. It's not just a case of the D antigen, this is the one that give us our + or - blood type. Just because they have detected it does not necessarily mean anything for your pregnancy or baby, you may just have it naturally or if it's come from baby they will monitor the levels of it in you throughout. The 48hrs notice of requiring a transfusion is normal, it just gives the blood bank time to ordering and cross match donor units with your blood for suitability just in case you need a transfusion. All hospitals carry a stock of O- blood for emergencies that is compatible with almost all patients but they try not to use this and like to have specially pre cross matched blood to one side, hence the 48hrs notice. I hope this helps put your mind at ease a little bit