Anti C Positive

allnew2me

I'm waiting to hear back from the OB, but I'm hoping that someone might have some experience/advice. I'm 8 weeks and my antibody screen came back positive for Anti C. I checked my test results online and I haven't spoken to the Dr or nurses about it yet.

My previous pregnancy was very complicated - rescue cerclage, 2 months of hospital bedrest, emergency c-section at 27.3 weeks, 55 days in the NICU and we lost our sweet baby girl to SIDS on Feb 14th. I'm terrified of losing another child.

claar

While I do not have personal experience with this, and I am sure you ahve been googling the heck out of this, I found this from a reputable source:

https://hospital.blood.co.uk/library/pdf/INF166_3_pregnancy_2012.pdf

It seems that this antibody can cause hemolytic disease IF left untreated.  However, your doctor is aware you have the antibody, and shots will be administered in the third trimester to prevent complications.  I am sure your doctor will discuss this with you at length.  

 I also want to express how sorry I am for the loss of your daughter.  You will be in my thoughts and prayers during this current pregnancy.

ajsweeton

I have a lot of experience with blood types and antibodies as that's what I do all day. Anti-C can cause hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) if untreated. Usually it doesn't cause any problems until much later in the pregnancy around the end of your second trimester. It can be treated with intrauterine transfusions which in many cases (I've seen quite a few) works well and patients go home with a healthy baby. I'm not familiar with an injection that will help, although Anti-C is related to Anti-D and RhoGam injections may help with prevention of HDFN

claar

ajsweeton said:

I have a lot of experience with blood types and antibodies as that's what I do all day. Anti-C can cause hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) if untreated. Usually it doesn't cause any problems until much later in the pregnancy around the end of your second trimester. It can be treated with intrauterine transfusions which in many cases (I've seen quite a few) works well and patients go home with a healthy baby. I'm not familiar with an injection that will help, although Anti-C is related to Anti-D and RhoGam injections may help with prevention of HDFN

This-I think what I attached was more in regards to Anti-D.

kafunder

First, I'm so sorry about the loss of your daughter. 

At 36w1d pregnant, they discovered I was anti E positive during some bloodwork due to high blood pressure. Anti E is very similar to anti C. It was a complete surprise b/c they had checked my blood work early in my pregnancy and nothing came up (and I already have 3-year old twins and didn't have the issue during that pregnancy). They suspect either my titers had not gotten high enough to be detected during the first test or that the blood crossed the placenta during my cerclage (I had a cerclage at 20w and 16w of bedrest) and led to the creation of the antibodies. 

Needless to say, I was a nervous wreck. But, my OB and MFM assured me that they weren't overly concerned. I was sent to get u/s of the baby's mid-cerebral artery every other day after the discovery, as that is where they can most easily detect if the baby is begin to develop jaundice. I also got the steroid shots, even though it was very late in the pregnancy, just as a precaution. They also said they wouldn't let me go past 38w because the risks to the baby go up past that, I guess. 

At 37w3d and 37w5d, just a few days before my scheduled c/s, I reported reduced fetal movement on two occasions. Because I was so close to my scheduled c/s, they decided just to deliver me b/c they want to take any risks and they were starting to think the anti-e situation may have been leading to some jaundice in the womb. I had my c/s at 37w6d and gave birth to a wonderful, healthy little boy. They did monitor him extra in the hospital but he never developed jaundice. The dr's did say that if I want to have more kids, they'd recommend some genetic testing of DH and me, b/c if you have one anti-body, you're likely to develop others. And, I'd be closely monitored in future pregnancies. 

So, long story short, it's something that needs to be watched, but most of the time, it's not a big deal at all.