If you have had a previous pregnancy affected by hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), it may be difficult to process the emotions associated with the experience, especially if complications arose.
Depending on the severity of a previous case of HDFN, women who want to become pregnant again may be hesitant. Though there is a risk that HDFN may be more severe in subsequent pregnancies, it is possible to have a healthy pregnancy. Here is what you need to consider if you wish to become pregnant with a previous pregnancy history of HDFN.
Seeing a genetic counselor
Before you decide on becoming pregnant again, it may be a good idea to see a healthcare professional who may be able to answer any questions you may have about HDFN—how it is passed on, the risks involved and how previous pregnancies may affect future ones. A genetic counselor is trained for this very task and will be able to provide you all the answers you need about how HDFN works.
To explore future risk factors in detail, a genetic counselor will ask pertinent questions such as whether you have other family members with this disorder, as well as explain the likely risks involved in any subsequent pregnancies.
Read more about the care team for HDFN.
Seek out support
Some mothers who have just undergone a pregnancy associated with HDFN describe their experience as stressful. If HDFN was detected during pregnancy, you would likely have scheduled extra health appointments to ensure that you and your baby are in good health. If HDFN was not known during pregnancy and was only detected after delivery, you might have been shocked to learn that your newborn child was affected.
If you want to try for a baby again after HDFN, you should know that support is available. Seeking out HDFN resources and support groups can put you in touch with people with the right expertise to ensure that you are as prepared as can be for a future pregnancy.
Know what to expect
If you have a previous pregnancy affected by HDFN, your OBGYN is unlikely to leave anything up to chance. This means that your OBGYN would likely want to make sure that every aspect of pregnancy care is optimized to increase the odds of a healthy pregnancy and birth.
You should be aware of what this means. First of all, you would likely be tested for antibodies. If you were sensitized from a previous pregnancy, your antibodies will retain immune memory, meaning that they are more likely to attack the red blood cells of the fetus with greater intensity.
In addition, your whole pregnancy will likely be closely monitored. Treatments such as intrauterine blood transfusions and intravenous immunoglobulins may be necessary. Your doctor would want to keep a close eye on whether your child develops anemia, which is a condition caused by the destruction of fetal red blood cells. In many cases, an early delivery may be scheduled, and your newborn child may require medical treatment such as phototherapy to clear away excess bilirubin, which is a product of broken down red blood cells.
While this process may sound arduous, it is necessary to ensure that you and your child are as healthy as possible. It also allows your doctor to initiate treatment if something goes wrong.
With adequate psychological support and with the modern therapies that are available, you may be in a good position to have a safe and successful pregnancy if precautions are taken from the very onset.
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