Abnormal Antibodies

erikaamee

Hello. I am 11 weeks and 4 days into my pregnancy. My doctor just called and said my blood work showed abnormal antibodies and my husband needs to be seen for blood work and I have to go see a perinatolgist next week. This is my 4th pregnancy, 1st one was my son the last 2 were early miscarriages. I am not rh negative or positive so it wouldn't have anything to do with my blood type. She was very vague as to what it could be. I have to wait a whole week to see the specialist. Anyone ever dealt with something like this before?

a2003tiger

Could be a number of things. Have you ever had a blood transfusion? That's what happened with me. I received Kell antibodies during a blood transfusion years ago. They tested my husband and decided it wouldn't be a problem. I'm also O-, so that's another thing. I wouldn't worry until they tell you to. It could turn out yo be nothing. My OB just told me not to have anyone else's baby, lol!

ajsweeton

Your blood type includes many different antigens that can cause you to form different antibodies. It's usually not really a problem. I wouldn't worry until you've seen your doctor and they explain things a little better for you.

erikaamee

I meant that I am not rh negative. The concern is why I have to go see a high risk doctor. Otherwise I wouldn't be as worried.

ajsweeton

I'm honestly not sure why the doctor would have you go to a specialist. Usually when you're pregnant and have a red cell antibody the lab will do a titer to see how strong the antibody is. The stronger the antibody the more risk to the baby. They'll continue to check the titer of the antibody to see if it's getting stronger as that's a symptom that the body may be attacking the baby. Intrauterine transfusions are a treatment option in such a case which I imagine is why a specialist would need to be involved. I can't imagine a regular OB deals with that. If you've never been transfused and you've never been pregnant by any man other than your SO it's likely the antibody was formed in this pregnancy or another. If your previous miscarriages were early in pregnancy your antibody is most likely not to blame as antibody problems usually only arise late in the 2nd trimester. I hope this is helpful and not even more confusing. I work in a lab identifying antibodies all day so I have some experience from the laboratory side, but not really from the treatment side unless they were giving intrauterine transfusions.