In most cases, fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is only suspected if a woman has had a previous pregnancy in which a newborn was found to have a very low platelet count with possible signs of bleeding.
Managing an FNAIT-affected pregnancy can be an stressful time for both you and your partner. Your partner’s doctors will want to keep a close eye on her to ensure that no complications arise.
It is important to know that when a fetus is affected by FNAIT, the mother often shows few to no symptoms. In other words, the affected mother’s pregnancy may appear to be relatively normal, with little outward evidence to suggest otherwise. The primary potential harm here is towards the fetus, of which the mother inadvertently produces antibodies that attack the fetus’s platelets.
Offer emotional support
Just the thought of a pregnancy that may be at risk of a rare disease can cause stress for your partner, so make it a priority to listen to her needs. Understand that going through a challenging pregnancy can make for a very stressful few months. If possible, alleviate some of her burdens so that she can focus fully on her health and well-being throughout her pregnancy.
Read more about FNAIT testing and diagnosis
Educate yourself on FNAIT
One of the best ways to support your pregnant partner is to educate yourself as much as possible on FNAIT. The best source for this will be your partner’s doctor and medical research and studies. If you have any questions at all about this disease, its treatment, or future steps, do not hesitate to bring your inquiries to your doctor, who will be able to provide you with resources and materials on FNAIT.
Attend pregnancy appointments with your partner
One of the ways to help take some of the burden off your pregnant partner is by taking her to her medical check-ups and attending as a show of support. Medical check-ups can be time-consuming, as they may involve a lot of waiting. Your quiet, supportive presence can hence be hugely comforting.
Attending appointments allows you to gain a better understanding of the mother’s condition and ask important questions. For example, the doctor may deem it necessary for the mother to have intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions, which are meant to suppress her immune response so that it does not attack the fetal platelets. Typically, IVIG infusions are administered on a weekly basis.
Being present during regular follow-ups and periods of treatment shows that you are in this together and that you care about the inconveniences your partner has to go through as a result of a FNAIT-affected pregnancy.
Sharing the parental burden
If you and your partner already have children, one of the best things you can do is to share the parental burden by looking after the kids more often or taking on extra household chores so she can relax.
Ask your partner if she wants you to watch your children or arrange childcare while she attends appointments. While some pregnant moms choose to bring their children along to their IVIG appointments, this may not be so conducive for the child, given that the process can take up to a few hours. A child may become restless or bored and demand constant attention from the mom. This can make the treatment process that much more stressful.
If you are able to, time your work commitments so that you can look after your little ones while mom is receiving treatment. Alternatively, you may want to arrange for a suitable babysitter to look after your children if you are unable to do so. By ensuring that your kids are looked after during your partner’s hospital visits, you are allowing your partner to achieve a measure of peace of mind to focus on staying relaxed and healthy.
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