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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Anti jkb antibodies

6 replies

feedmenow · 21/08/2008 19:11

Has anyone tested positive for this in pregnancy?

What does it actually mean?

I have (stupidly!!) googled it and don't very much like the looks of the results.

My mw said they will check my bloods again at 28 weeks, 34 weeks and admission to hospital, that the transfusion srevice will have to be notifed (because I can't have stock blood) and that they'll take a cord blood sample after birth. But apparently I shouldn't be worried!

Anyone with any experience on this, your comments would be very much appreciated!

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
feedmenow · 21/08/2008 19:42

Am going to bump my own message here.

Am sure that someone out there must know something........please......

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WombFor1More · 21/08/2008 19:46

Sorry don't have the answer but hope you find out soon.

I tested positive for antibodies at my 28wk bloods, never had this in any other preg or booking bloods though but they came back as inconclusive as to which antibodies it is. Had to have repeat bloods done today so hopefully will know next week.

Maybe ask your mw to explain in more detail what this could/does mean as you are worried about it (and stop googling )

waitingtobloom · 22/08/2008 08:06

I dont have that one but I do have Anti M - and Im having a home birth so usually they are nothing to worry about.

Some people have antibodies in their blood - some are more worrying than others. Ones such as Anti C, Anti K (could be wrong here) tend to make them worry more than the rest of them.

The risk with the antibodies is that it can cause hemolytic disease of the newborn. Big big emphasis on the word CAN. On a lesser level sometimes it can cause mild jaundice. The idea would be that if you had different blood or something to your baby then it can attack it - or something like this.

I dont know much about the one you have but think its in the group unlikely to do any harm. In my first pregnancy they worried more - kept taking my blood and measuring the titre of the antibody (the level of it in your blood). THey wanted a paed at the birth etc etc to see what happened.

It stayed extremely low - titre of less than 2 and by my second pregnancy (38 weeks now) they had pulled themselves together enough to realise that as long as the level stayed low there was no problem. What my notes from the blood bank say is that its unlikely to do any harm at all and only possibly likely to do anything if the titre is over 32 (nowhere near). They still take my blood every 4 weeks though.

If they are not rushing you in to see a consultant and not jabbing you with needles I would relax - they are not worried. I have still had to have blood tests every 4 weeks this pregnancy to check the level "just in case". Its fine and the consultant is relaxed enough for the home birth.

Nothing was organised last pregnancy but this time I have had a blood card from blood services. It too says that I have to give notice for transfusion and blood needs to come from the blood bank rather than being given straightforward blood - thats because they need to match you for type and with the antibodies. In reality though if you were in dire straits they give you some type of blood.

They never took cord blood last time, nor will they this time.

I was very worked up about it last pregnancy but this time am not bothered - its just an ongoing joke amongst the midwives at clinic that "im special" lol. If you have any more questions just ask - dont know anyone else with any type of antibody and neither have any of the midwives or consultants lol.

And DO NOT GOOGLE it! Bad idea - did that the first time round and was in floods of tears. In rare rare circumstances it can cause problems and of course those problems get published and talked about. It is highly highly likely everything will be fine (but they may unfortunately get a bit happy about taking your blood more regularly)

xxxx

feedmenow · 22/08/2008 08:33

Thanks Womb and Bloom!

Bloom, I'm not normally a worrier but am this time round as my last pg ended with my dd2 being stillborn (not because of "anything", or anyones fault or anything like that...) so this is just one more thing for me to have on top of my already many worries!

It's nice to know that it doesn't necessarily mean anything major though. But I somehow think I would quite like 4 weekly titre checks just to set my mind at ease.

Hopefully I'll get to speak to my consultant today - she's very straight with me and I have quite a lot of trust in her, so we'll see what she has to say.

Womb, will be interesting to see what they say about your bloods. I've never tested positive before (and this is my 5th pg!) so it came as a bit of a surprise to me! It could possibly be because I had a transfusion after the last birth, or it can also be because the baby makes these antibodies (?), that none of the others have but that this one has!

Anyway, will keep an eye out for you to see what they say.....

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jenniv · 29/09/2008 14:57

Waiting to bloom,

Thanks for the email, i am 21 weeks with my first baby and have just found out i have anti m antibodies. i have to go to hospital with the father for blood tests next week. Was really worried as stupidly i googled it and upset myself too.
Is there anything else you can tell me about anti m antibodies?

Thanks so much

Jenni

feedmenow · 29/09/2008 20:11

Jenni, that sounds like such a worry. How long after you have the bloods will you get a result?

I've managed to calm after my anti jkb diagnosis, having been told that they'll discuss it with me in depth at 28 weeks - that reassures me quite a bit.

Keep us informed about your tests.....

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