I'm just that special

Well, we had another OB appointment today and I feel I have a better understanding of the blood abnormality they found.

For those of you interested, test results from my last blood tests found a very rare antibody in my blood that is built against the M-antigen in Vance's blood. This is not the same thing as being RH+ or RH- for those who are wondering. They cannot give me a shot of RhoGam  to protect the baby from my antibodies.

Basically, IF Vance has passed this M-Antigen to the baby, my antibodies could potentially start attacking the red blood cells of the baby which could lead to fetal anemia, which could lead to fetal heart failure.

In all my OB's years of practice, she has yet to have a patient with this Anti M antibody. I am JUST that SPECIAL :)

Right now, we are just going to continue to check my titers (antibody levels)  every 4 weeks to monitor them and make sure they don't surpass a threshold of 1:8. If they do increase above this level, I will be sent to see a specialist in Dallas. This specialist will use a Doppler ultrasound that monitors specific blood vessels in the baby and checks growth, development, heart function, etc.

WORST case scenario... If my titers keep increasing before I am full term or even 28 weeks... they can do blood transfusion to the fetus via umbilical cord to provide it the red blood cells my body is attacking- this can be very tricky and probably isnt the safest procedure... seeing as how they would need to stick a very large needle thru my belly to reach into the umbilical cord.

Potentially, worst case, I would have to deliver per-term, have a c-section or have a possible blood transfusion myself.

But i'm not letting myself go there. Right now, we have no reason to worry. They took some more blood today and we will find out my titer results within the next week.

For now, we are just enjoying each day as it comes. I'm looking at this situation as an awesome way for God to glorify himself in my life. I know He will take care of us. I trust God. I have no control over any of this. God just decided I was special enough to handle some rare blood abnormality.

Isn't it funny how he chose one of the most highly paranoid and obsessively worrisome people to put in this situation? :) this is all just a part of the refining process and parenting journey. Lack of control and complete trust. I'm happy to report that I really am calm and not worrying about this, and THAT is a work of God for anyone who really knows me :)

For now, we just need prayer that my titers stay very, very low and that they never reach 1:8. If they do, we will cross that bridge when we get there.


Our next ultrasound is May 24th. We will find out the sex of the baby then (if baby is in good position). I am sooo excited! Baby's heart beat was 144 bpm today- much lower than the previous 177 bpm but Dr. says thats normal for it to start decreasing as it gets bigger. I'm anxious to get another picture of Baby G and find out their sex. I think I've already started to feel movements... they feel different than just gas.

All I know is this baby is destined to be a fighter. Between having a virus when i first found out i was pregnant, to having the flu, to now this blood thing... baby G hasnt had it easy but I know he/she will be resilient :)