The Allo Podcast

Welcome to the Allo Podcast! This episode introduces our hosts, Bethany and Molly, our recurring guests from our Medical Advisory Board, the Allo Hope Foundation, and most importantly the diseases known as Maternal Alloimmunization and Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn. Get the quick facts on how to monitor and treat this disease and how Bethany, Molly, and so many moms have used these treatments to deliver healthy babies. Episode themes: Alloimmunization overviewWhat to expect in an allo pregnancyHow HDFN affects the babyHow allo moms can protect themselves and their babyTerminology used in this episode: Alloimmunization: a disease in which a mother’s antibodies are primed to attack an incompatible blood antigen that may be present in the blood of their fetus.Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN): a blood disorder in a fetus or newborn that develops when the pregnant mother’s antibodies pass through the placenta during pregnancy and attack the baby's red blood cells, breaking down the baby’s red blood cells (hemolysis) at a rapid rate and causing the baby to become anemic. Allo Hope Terminology Library https://allohopefoundation.org/library/terminology/Guests: Dr. Ken Moise https://partnersincare.health/directory/kenneth-moiseDr. Thomas Travett http://www.georgiaperinatal.com/dr-trevett/Links mentioned in this episode: Partners in Care HDFN Definition: https://partnersincare.health/conditions/hemolytic-disease-of-the-fetus-and-newbornResearch for this episode provided by Bethany Weathersby and Molly Sherwood of the Allo Hope Foundation. Find more information at https://allohopefoundation.orgThe Allo Podcast is produced and edited by https://www.mediaclub.co

In this episode of the Allo Podcast we listen to Molly’s Story: how she found out she was alloimmunized, the steps that she took to maintain appropriate care, the pregnancies and births of her two subsequent sons, and its effect on her life and that of her family. Episode themes: Low titer alloimmunized pregnancyAnti-S; Anti E antibodies Partial D/Weak D antigenRhogamInduced vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) MiscarriageHemorrhagePain medication-free birth Delayed onset fetal anemiaAllo Hope Terminology Library https://allohopefoundation.org/library/terminology/Explanation of Weak D and Partial D and its implications for pregnancy: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bjh.12275Research for this episode provided by Bethany Weathersby and Molly Sherwood of the Allo Hope Foundation. Find more information at https://allohopefoundation.orgThe Allo Podcast is produced and edited by https://www.mediaclub.co

Testing is the first step toward having a safe and healthy HDFN baby. This episode covers the importance of early tests that can determine how severely your baby will be affected by your antibodies. We include information about new tests, Rhogam, and how you can donate plasma to help other expectant mothers determine the antigen status of their babies. Episode themes: Standard pregnancy screening for antibodiesAntibody ID and titer blood test Blood tests for baby’s fatherCell free fetal DNA (cffDNA) for baby’s antigen statusRh Immune Globulin (Rhogam)Plasma Donation: Southern Blood Services https://southernbloodservices.com/For information on donating to create test kits email [email protected] used in this episode:Antibody Screen: Part of mother’s blood work that can be used to determine the presence of antibodies Antibody ID: followup screen on the mother that identifies what type of antibody the mother hasTiter: test (and term often used to describe measurement) of the amount of antibodies present in the mother’s blood Critical Titer: Kell 4, All others 16 Antigen Phenotype test: Test for the father to determine antigen that baby may inherit Amniocentesis: drawing amniotic fluid by piercing the amniotic sack with a needle through the mother’s belly, can cause antibody titer to go up MCA Doppler Scan: advanced non-invasive scanning technique used to determine fetal anemia Cell Free Fetal DNA Testing: a test using the mom’s blood to determine baby’s blood type, not readily available in the United States. Can be used to detect D, Kell, E, c, and C antigen status. Cell Free Fetal DNA (cffDNA) information https://allohopefoundation.org/library/cffdna/ cffDNA direct from Sanquin Laboratories https://www.sanquin.org/products-and-services/diagnostics/non-invasive-fetal-blood-group-genotypingAllo Hope Terminology Library https://allohopefoundation.org/library/terminology/For more on tests during pregnancy, see our prenatal testing guide at https://allohopefoundation.org/library/prenatal-testing/Guests: Dr. Thomas Trevett http://www.georgiaperinatal.com/dr-trevett/Research for this episode provided by Bethany Weathersby and Molly Sherwood of the Allo Hope Foundation. Find more information at https://allohopefoundation.org.The Allo Podcast is produced and edited by https://www.mediaclub.co.

Introducing the Allo Podcast from the Allo Hope Foundation!