what are antibodies?

[crisgal]

My friend has gone for her twelve week blood tests, where she was told there are antibodies in ther blood.
She has to go on Monday for another test and so does her husband.
She's very worried and didn't really take in what they said at the cllinic.
Does anyone know what they are?

[Nik315]

Is this her first pregnancy? Does she know whether her blood is rhesus positive or negative?
Basically if she has antibodies in her blood they can attack and break down the blood of the foetus. Sounds much worse than it is, so long as its monitored regularly it shouldn't be a problem.

[crisgal]

they said it was unusual for her blood type. That the antibodies are high.
She's due to fly on holiday in a few weeks and is worried they won't let her.
She badly needs this holiday - she's got a two year old too!

[Nik315]

If your friend is Rhesus negative and her husband is Rhesus positive then after the first pregnancy she should have been given an anti-d injection which kills off any anti bodies created during the first pregnancy as the baby would be born Rhesus positive which is the dominant type. The anti-d does not always work which is what happenend to Mrs Nik and I, we had to have weekly checks in London from 20 weeks onwards and our youngest was delivered six weeks early, after some initial worries everything was fine and he is now a very happy 3 year old.
With regards to the flying I am fairly sure it shouldn't be a problem but they may be concerned if she is going to be away for a few weeks or more without the levels of antibodies being checked.

[crisgal]

that is very helpful, thank you x