~Good news and bad news.
The good news-- Baby girl due August 24th! We can't wait!
The bad news-- Some components of my blood and the baby's blood are not compatible. This incompatibility sets off my immune system to produce antibodies that harm the baby's red blood cells, which can cause all sorts of problems- all of which fall under the heading of Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn.
Good News: Currently, my immune system response is mild enough that it is not causing harm to the baby.
Bad News: Right after we heard the news of possible complications down the road, I was pretty devastated. I swear I had flashbacks of the consequences of and emotions of having a sick baby. I've had enough of a taste of what the invasive treatments on a helpless infant, and never want to have to repeat that process.
Good News: After reading more about the situation, I began to feel more and more positive about my condition. I quickly was able to delay excessive worry or emotional upset until there was a reason to...and at this point there isn't one.
In the car one day, I had the BOM playing in the background. Mosiah 24 caught my attention, where the Lord eased the burdens of the people of Alma; so much so, that they couldn't feel them on the their backs. It says that the burdens laid upon [them] were made light; the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease.
I completely related with the people in this story. It became apparent to me that that was exactly what the Lord was/is doing for me. In chapter 24:15 the Lord says that He does this so that "ye may stand as witnesses of me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I,the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions."
I am so glad that the Lord is kind enough to visit me in my afflictions, and ease my burdens. Thanks for all your prayers and fasting. Its very obvious to me
that they were and still are heard by the Lord, because we are all doing so well. And, as of now, the baby is perfectly healthy. If you don't hear from us, that means that everything is fine with the baby.
*Here are some links to some helpful information if you are curious about the condition, and have a few spare hours for some light reading :) My specific condition is caused by the KIDD antibody system, and the JKa antigen, not the Rh factor.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2266/
http://www.perinatology.com/Archive/Isoimmunization.htm
http://www.arupconsult.com/Topics/NewbornHemolyticDz.html
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/wellness/pregnancy/first-antibody
