Fetal Anemia?

[SusanMy]

Hello all,

I'm new in this forum and have a potential health concern about which I was hoping to get some feedback.

Here's a rundown: I'm 18 weeks pg today. My son (almost 5) was born early via emergency c-section due to severe preeclampsia (although we'd planned a waterbirth at a free-standing birth center). I had a miscarriage last year, then a chemical pregnancy, and then got and stayed pregnant with this little one. We wanted to homebirth this time, but hadn't chosen a midwife yet because we intend to move out of state. We were also between insurances, and the new plan just kicked in this month. Result: I just had my first prenatal visit (to a hospital-affiliated midwifery practice in our current state) last week.

They did a big panel of blood work, and the midwife called today to tell me that I've tested positive for an antigen that can cause fetal anemia. She wants me to see a perinatologist ASAP to determine whether this antigen has been triggered and is attacking the baby's blood cells. She said in her 30 years of practice, this is only the second time she's seen this particular situation.

I looked up some articles right away, and it seems as if the anemia is treatable via intrauterine transfusion. Of course, I was trying to avoid interventions of any kind, but it looks as if I may be facing another very controlled situation. In any event, I'm trying not to freak out, but I know the outcomes for this aren't always positive. Also, I don't want to jump to conclusions about how "bad" it may or may not be. The perinatologist will do a battery of tests to determine the current state of things.

I guess I was just hoping to hear experiences from anyone here who may have gone through this. I'm sorry if anyone has, but if you could share with me, I'd really appreciate it, because I'm feeling kind of lost and (of course) worried at the moment. Also, I can't help thinking that we could have picked this up earlier (and taken action if necessary) had I gone in sooner for an appointment, so there's guilt, too.

Thanks in advance for any info you can share.

[new york momma]

What antigen do you have? I just found out I have antibodies for antigen E and am now considered a high-risk pregnancy. My doc mentioned the possibility of fetal anemia and transfusions. I'm looking for more info too.
Best of luck to you

[japonica]

Yeah, which one is it? Here is a list of the ones that cause HDN (scroll down a bit):

http://www.perinatology.com/Archive/Isoimmunization.htm

I can send you a link to an online BG for isoimmunized moms, including many who have had multiple IUTs and other therapies...PM me if you're interested.

Oh and I just wanted to say, don't assume the worst...I've had two successful sensitized pregnancies (winrho failure) and anti-D is one of the more aggressive antibodies. I never had a single IUT with either pregnancy and made it to 37w with both before induction. The most I had to endure (besides the inductions) were the regular scans at the peri clinic to check on the babies. And they both did very well...jaundice that required double bilis for about a week, but no postnatal transfusions needed and no complications.

And no reason to feel guilty. There was nothing you could have done to prevent it. The rhogam/winrho shot is only effective (most of the time) against the D antigen. There's a whole host of other antigens that can cause problems and I've met many moms online who were sensitized through prior pregnancies or blood transfusions...but there was nothing they really could have done to prevent sensitization...so going in sooner wouldn't have made a lot of difference to the actual occurrence. And as to the degree of sensitization and the health of your LO, peris usually do not start IUTs until about 19w anyway (that's the earliest I've heard), so going in earlier for that wouldn't have ensured standard action could be taken...unless it was ivig therapy but that's usually reserved for worst cases with moms who have titers in the thousands.

Good luck and keep us posted...

Hang in there...I'm sure everything will be okay...

[Adamsmama]

Are you RH-? Is that what you are talking about?

[Baby~Braatens~Mama]

japonica had some very good advice! I really don't know what to say, but couldn't read your post without sending you a virtual I hope the very best for you and your LO. Please keep updating.