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At 11 weeks pregnant, I learned that somewhere between my 2nd and 3rd (current) pregnancy, I had developed 4 different red blood cell antibodies. I had received the rhogam shots during and after both my prior pregnancies. Yet for some undetermined reason, I still developed antibodies.

The nurse explained that anti-D antibodies had turned up in my bloodwork.  These antibodies develop in reaction to contact with Rh positive blood. Since I was so early in my pregnancy, the doctors were baffled as to how I had already become sensitized.  Our best guess is that there must have been an early, silent bleed where a small amount of blood mixed, but we’ll never know for sure.

3, 8 and 5. While these numbers may not mean anything to most, to me, they mean everything. THREE is the number of babies I had directly affected by HDFN – my identical twins were my second pregnancy and my first affected, no intrauterine interventions were needed but a lot of post-birth care was including IVIG, two blood transfusions and a blood exchange.

When I was pregnant, we learned our baby had HDFN — a serious condition where my antibodies were attacking his red blood cells. After birth, Revin’s bilirubin levels climbed dangerously high, reaching nearly 30 after he was discharged without any recommended follow-up care.

After one healthy pregnancy and two losses my husband and I were thrilled yet terrified to be pregnant again. I remember looking at my early pregnancy lab work and the little red flag that said “antibodies detected – Anti E, titre less than one” I had a few weeks until my first appointment with my OB so I began spiraling down the rabbit hole of Google and eventually landed myself in the most wonderful Facebook group.

On my second pregnancy back in 2024. During my pregnancy labs I was detected an Anti Kell antibody. Where later through an amniocentesis results determined there was a 50% chance of being affected with Fetal anemia since my partner was heterozygous K/k.