So, I'm having problems with my blood. They are guessing the only reason for my daughter being stillborn was my blood. They said I had an unusually large amount of fetal blood in my system. And since I am O- and my husband is O+, we're pretty sure our daughter was O+. I haven't been able to ask if the autopsy or tests showed her blood type. My antibody levels were high after I delivered. They gave me the Rhogam injection at the hospital and another one two weeks later. Now it's been 12 weeks after that and my antibody levels are still raised. They want to wait another 4 weeks to check my blood again. Oh, and I was 26 weeks when Charlotte was stillborn. So I would have gotten my Rhogam injection 2 weeks later. How great is that....

I wanted to know if anyone else has had any issues with Rh incompatibility or antibody stuff. I cannot seem to find many people that have had this same problem. And all the articles and books say that it "usually isn't a problem with a first pregnancy". Well, I guess was out of the norm. They don't really have a good idea why so much of her blood was in my system. But it had to happen somehow. I didn't have a placental abruption or anything like that. No pain, no bleeding. Just noticed she wasn't moving. Not sure if she was anemic when I delivered her. So, if anyone can relate to this issue, please share. Thanks.

I don't have this problem, but I will see what I can find at work for you. Sometimes I seem to be able to find articles nobody else can find when I go looking and it will give me a little project while they've got me on slow duty.

I will tell you that sometimes you can get the autopsy results on paper by going down to the records department and cornering someone, that way you also have something to keep in your personal medical records. I had to do that with my miscarriage. I will also warn you that it is very hard to do, walking in there knowing what you're asking for is emotionally taxing to say the least.

Thanks. I don't think my doctor would mind giving me a copy of any reports or telling me anything. They have been really great with all of my questions. The autopsy report was in my file at their office. I'm sure they would give me a copy if requested, even if they charged me a few cents or dollars for it.

Yeah, I've researched it to death myself. That's why I hate reading over and over that it usually isn't a problem with the first pregnancy. But anything you could find would be greatly appreciated.

I'm so very sorry to read about your little Charlotte.

It certainly wasn't mentioned by my consultant as a possible cause but it is something that has bothered me. I am A- and my husband, O+. I had twin girls, both born extremely prematurely, but only one seemingly very sick. The final analysis seems to be that it was an infection which only affected one baby. I did find out that the twins had different blood groups, my healthy twin was A- like me and her sister, who passed away at three days old, was O+. I've also been told it's not usually a problem in a first pregnancy but I do wonder. I also gave birth too early to have the protective injection and had no bleeding prior to my labour beginning. I would be interested to hear if the doctors can tell you anything about what may have happened to Charlotte and again, I am very sorry that she isn't here with you.

Hmmm. I am A- and I don't know what blood group my son was. I did get the injection a couple of times through my pregnancy. They couldn't identify the reason my son died at 33 weeks, but they did find evidence of a 'slight' infection. It wasn't thought to be the cause of death because it hadn't travelled to his heart or lungs or something - I just forget now how it was explained to me - apparently that's something that happens quickly so it was thought this infection had only just started, and may even have happened after he died. But these posts make me wonder? My pregnancy - my first - was also very 'normal' and my son just stopped moving. Actually, that's not the entire picture - they also found no fluid around him, but it didn't appear to have been a kidney problem, there'd been plenty of fluid at 23 weeks, and I hadn't been leaking. No-one's ever said to me that I had high antibody levels, so probably nothing like your situation, Susan - just putting it out there in case.

Hi Susan,

I am so sorry to hear about Charlotte. My daughter was stillborn last year due to me being Rh sensitized. I am O-, my husband is O+, and my daughter was O+. I was sensitized during a blood transfusion years ago when I was given the wrong blood, so we knew about the antibodies going into the pregnancy. I was followed closely by a maternal-fetal specialist but the death was very sudden at 37 weeks. I did go on to have a son five months ago, we dealt with the same antibody and I had to have a lot of treatments but today he is perfectly healthy.

There is a GREAT support group on Baby Center for women who are dealing with antibody sensitized pregnancies. Some of the women have lost their children, and all of them are dealing with complicated pregnancies. It is a great place to find people that understand the specifics of this problem (most people are confused by it) and get support. After my daughter died I went on to consult with several experts across the country and if you ever wanted further medical advice I can share them with you. Many of us on the board have a good deal of research and contacts handy.

The board is here: http://community.babycenter.com/groups/a2988455/antibody_isoimmunisation_rh_and_others?

I hope to see you post sometime. Best of luck, Lindsey