esther

thank you so much for the information, it makes the whole picture much clearer. it is reasuring to know that the hospital gave preferred blood and not just inferior blood out of desperation. your feedback is very much apprecaited.

thanks for your reply. It is quite clear even with all the technical language. as regards giving ABO identical blood, my previous baby was given O+ while he (and I) are B+, could that be bacause B+ is not common enough or because my antibodies make the match harder to find?

if washing is sufficient as a donor, why is it not sufficient for my baby? my doctor is following the titer, however, it never seems accurate to indicate the real level. this I was told, is because the titer my lab gives is really meant for the antibodies of the Rh neg. blood issue. thanks for your reply, it is very much apprecaited.

Thank you. I shall try look into it locally.

thank you very much for your feedback. the main reasurance is that I'm doing the best for my baby. I'm much more reassured about not preparing blood.

thanks for your feedback. very much apprecaited. I had been in touch with the head of the blood bank in my hospital before the previous birth, all they said was that there is the danger of the GVH, and they promise me there will be suitable blood available.

does this all mean that I cannot donate blood in general, or is it only a problem for my babies?

Thank you so much for your prompt reply. I am aware of the irradiation which is why I though the GVH is not a problem, I was also told by the pediatrician about the washing. However, I was not aware of the bacterial contamination. I'm extremely grateful for this information, since I was concerned about not giving my own blood. With many thanks, Esther

I have anti-kell antibodies (as well as anti Le and anti cw), which has previously caused severe hemolytic trouble. I have been strongly advised by the pediatrician to give blood in case of need. my previous baby had an exchange transfusion. I am not able to get cooperation from my local blood banks. They claim that there is the danger of GVH, which I believe not to be a problem now days, they promise me that there will definitely be maching blood, and they are right, however it seems to be preferable to give maternal blood in any case. My questions are: 1) Is it really importants to give a newborn maternal blood? 2) How does one go about it when the blood banks are not interested in the idea? any advice on the matter would be appreciated. thanks Esther