QuestionWhat affect will it have on my baby if I just tested positive for neg. E antigen ? Are there things I should be aware of during delivery or is there nothing to be concerned about ? I am a bit concerned. My husband and I are O+ We have one child and I have had 1 miscarriage resulting in a D&C and a blood transfusion. Any info you have will be appreciated.
KMD
AnswerKim,
The E "antigen" is part of the Rh complex (the + part of your blood type). Many people who have tested positive for this test positive because they have had a blood transfusion or have had a pregnancy, and were exposed to a type of blood (from the developing baby or the transfused blood)not exactly identical to their own. The body then has kind of an allergic reaction the that small "antigen", and your blood then has an "antibody" to that "antigen" which we test for in the beginning of each pregnancy.
The antigen is a marker on the surface of the red blood cell. This is a signal to your immune system that the red blood cell is your own. When you're pregnant, some of the baby's blood mixes with your own, and your body can have a reaction to it if it is significantly different than your own. The reaction is in the form of an immune response where an "antibody" is produced that will bond to the antigen on the baby's cells and target them for removal from your blood stream. If the transfused blood was also not identical, this is what could have caused the immune reaction in your body.
This is a complex problem and is difficult for even OBs to understand fully unless you understand the immune system clearly. I would talk with your OB, and make sure that he or she is consulting with a good maternal fetal medicine specialist (someone who has done extra training in caring for special pregnancies).
In your situation, I would think that it was the blood transfusion and not your husband's blood type that caused your positive blood test, and therefore not a concern for your current pregnancy.
