If your infant has been diagnosed with or is at risk of developing hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), you may be wondering how to ensure both you and your newborn receive the best care possible. One way to do so is to deliver at a hospital equipped with everything needed to treat the disease and quickly respond to any adverse symptoms.
Finding a hospital to meet your needs
Before looking for a hospital that has the right expertise and facilities for managing HDFN, it is important that you are first aware of whether you have this condition. Fortunately, if you access antenatal services during pregnancy, you’ll most likely be screened for the most common causes of HDFN. If your OBGYN deems that you’re likely to be affected by HDFN, they will keep a close eye on your condition and that of your baby throughout pregnancy.
Most modern hospitals have all the facilities needed to manage pregnancy conditions such as HDFN. However, if you have a choice of hospitals, it is best to go for one that has a neonatal intensive care unit, which is a special ward for sick babies. This is because your child will almost certainly need to spend some time in the hospital after birth for doctors to ensure that the child has enough red blood cells and that any arising complications are dealt with.
Read more about HDFN testing and diagnosis
Because your child may require blood transfusions, it is important that your hospital has a blood bank that can supply red blood cell products should they be necessary. Again, most hospitals have blood banks, but some may be inadequately stocked.
To ensure that you and your child are managed with the right expertise, it is worth looking for a hospital that has different medical disciplines relevant to pregnancy and neonatal care. Examples include OBGYNs, hematologists, and neonatologists. In settings where there are doctors from different medical disciplines that can contribute to your care, discussions are usually held between them about how best to go about it, allowing you and your baby to benefit from their combined expertise.
If you live in an area where medical facilities are sparse, it is important for you to know where your nearest hospital is and whether you can get there quickly during an emergency if one arises. This is especially pertinent if you live in a rural area. If your nearest hospital is too far away, it is worth temporarily moving to a nearby location so that you can gain immediate access to a doctor if that ever becomes necessary.
Planning your care
It is important to remember that HDFN is a disease of pregnancy, meaning that it only affects you when you’re pregnant. Therefore, it is worth investing in your well-being and that of your baby during those months. By choosing the best-equipped hospital for your needs, you can help lower the risk of any HDFN-related complications.
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