The Allo Podcast

Rose and Katie return for an intimate discussion with Bethany and Molly about the realities of HDFN in Kenya. The group discuss the five pillars of prevention, diagnosis, monitoring, treatment and maternal support and what they each look like for Kenyan families. An important and humbling episode for listeners who may not have access to a deeper understanding of HDFN realities in underserved commu...

Molly and Bethany address the common question many families wonder about what to do to monitor their HDFN baby once they’re home, and how to know when baby is finally cleared of HDFN. They share their children’s post-discharge monitoring plans, which cover a full spectrum of HDFN severity. If you haven’t already, listen to Season 1 Episode 13 about the neonatal HDFN period. Common terms discussed...

Bethany and Molly address iron and its dangers to the HDFN newborn in this quick, science-based episode. Together they address the dangers of iron overload and the confusion around why iron is often mistakenly included in the treatment regimen for newborns experiencing alloimmunized anemia, as well as treatments for extreme conditions.  Watch this episode on YouTube View all of our resources at ww...

Katie rejoins Bethany and Molly to discuss the NICU experience including why HDFN babies sometimes need NICU time, how long and how often NICU is necessary, what to expect to hear and see in the NICU, and important resources to prepare and navigate an HDFN NICU experience. Watch this episode on YouTube View all of our resources at www.allohopefoundation.org If you are an alloimmunized mother from...

In this quick, science-focused episode, Molly and Bethany break down how IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin) is used during alloimmunized pregnancies to help delay fetal anemia and reduce the risks of severe HDFN. They explain who may benefit, how the treatment works, what the latest guidelines say, and why IVIG can be a life-saving tool when started early and used thoughtfully. Watch this episode o...

Join Bethany and Molly in an interview with Kate and Dewayne as they recount their experience with a tragic preventable loss due to HDFN followed by the redemption of a beautiful living son. Part two takes our listeners through Kate’s most recent pregnancy, managed by Dr. Trevett, with a joyful ending. Show themes:  Anti-D, Anti-C alloimmunized pregnancy High titer IVIG/plasmapheresis Intrauterine...

Join Bethany and Molly in an interview with Kate and Dewayne as they recount their experience with a tragic preventable loss due to HDFN followed by the redemption of a beautiful living son. In part one, the group discusses Kate and Dewayne’s experience with a loss that resulted in her sensitization, and Kate’s next pregnancy that ended with the tragic discovery of Kate’s condition at the end of t...

Bethany and Molly share all about plasmapheresis, including photos and videos and practical tips to give their listeners a clear picture of what it is and when it’s used in cases of severe HDFN.  Watch this episode on YouTube View all of our resources at www.allohopefoundation.org If you are an alloimmunized mother from any country, you are welcome in our Facebook support group called “Antibodies...

403 The New HDFN Guidelines: A Historic Moment for Families In this historic episode of the Allo Podcast from the Allo Hope Foundation, hosts Bethany Weathersby and Molly Sherwood celebrate the release of new evidence-based, expert-backed, and patient-informed guidelines for the prevention and management of Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN). They discuss why these comprehensive gui...

Bethany and Molly make a mini episode all about cell free fetal DNA, the blood test on mom that can determine a baby’s antigen status beginning around 10 weeks gestation. This is an accurate, non-invasive way to find out if a baby is at risk of HDFN by capturing free-floating fetal DNA from the mother’s blood and testing it to see if baby has the antigen that the mom’s antibodies may attack, causi...

When Kayla discovered anti-Kell antibodies at just 12 weeks, a sky-high titer and a terrifying 1.64 MCA score at 15 weeks sent her and her husband on a same-day flight from Pennsylvania to Austin, Texas for an emergency intraperitoneal transfusion—the first of nine lifesaving IUTs that would turn them into frequent flyers and the Dell Children’s fetal team into family. Kayla’s story is a powerful...

Bethany and Molly kick off Season 4 with a dive into the weirdest corners of HDFN — from mind-blowing bizarre facts (like babies born with 100% donor blood and drones parachuting blood bags in Africa) to rare case studies featuring anti-Kell + anti-D, the ultra-rare anti-KU and anti-PP1P˩K antibodies, and a mystery about false-positive newborn screens that still has experts stumped. Watch this epi...

New Episodes of the Allo Podcast coming to a podcast platform near you 1-27-25.

Bethany and Molly close out Amanda’s incredible survival story that began in Episode 2 of this season (Low Titer Pregnancies). After a rapid increase in titers from too low to titer to 2,048, Amanda’s referral to an MFM team went unnoticed for a few weeks. By the time she was seen, her son was very sick, but he was in the right hands with Dr. Snowise and his team. Listen to this miraculous story u...

Bethany, Katie and Molly talk together about how their parenting is affected during and after the life-changing experience of an alloimmunized pregnancy. Donate to AHF: Allo Hope Donate AHF Merch: Allo Hope Merch Watch this episode on YouTube: Allo Hope on YouTube Join the AHF patient support group:  AHF Support Facebook

Bethany and Molly interview Dr. Timothy Bahr, a neonatologist with a specialty in neonatal hematology about all of your HDFN questions for newborns. Dr. Bahr patiently answers many of the common challenges and questions in neonatal HDFN care. This is an advanced discussion of neonatal HDFN. For a primer describing disease presentation, visit our neonatal episode in Season 1. Questions answered in...

Bethany and Molly interview Dr. Timothy Bahr, a neonatologist with a specialty in neonatal hematology about all of your HDFN questions for newborns. Dr. Bahr patiently answers many of the common challenges and questions in neonatal HDFN care. This is an advanced discussion of neonatal HDFN. For a primer describing disease presentation, visit our neonatal episode in Season 1. Questions answered in...

Bethany and Molly build on last season’s discussion of grief to expand to anxiety, stress, depression and PTSD during and after the experience of a high risk pregnancy. They talk through how these challenges present themselves, how they feel to an alloimmunized mother, and specific coping mechanisms. The close with a positive segment called “what’s in the bag”, where moms submitted lists of items...

Bethany, Molly and Katie talk through all aspects of Rh Immune Globulin (RhOGAM, WinRho, RhIG). They cover the history, how it’s made, its safety profile, understanding the RhIG shortage, and public health controversy. The women provide information for Rh negative women who are deciding whether or not to accept the RhIG injection for a pregnancy.  Do you live in the U.S. and have Anti-D antibodies...

Bethany, Molly and Katie talk through differences in HDFN care continent by continent. They review country-specific research, practice patterns, and patient stories.  Donate to AHF: Allo Hope Donate AHF Merch: Allo Hope Merch Watch this episode on YouTube: Allo Hope on YouTube Join the AHF patient support group: AHF Support Facebook Cross-matching for Kell in Netherlands: Luken JS, Folman CC, Luke...

On listener request, Bethany and Molly dedicate an episode to the friends and family of the alloimmunized mother. They reintroduce themselves, explain alloimmunization and HDFN and what to expect from an alloimmunized pregnancy, and give concrete advice on how to support someone navigating this disease.  Read a description of HDFN on the National Organization for Rare Disorders website written by...

In true Bethany and Molly fashion, the hosts open with laughing at inappropriate stories and end in happy tears sharing the most heartfelt moments of love and appreciation for each other and this special community. One Tiny Thing is a compilation of patient-provided “tiny things” that happened to them and changed everything.  Bethany and Molly discuss listener answers to these special questions: W...

Bethany and Molly return to record with Dr. Markham, a well-loved maternal fetal medicine specialist who has treated many HDFN babies. They cover many questions submitted by allo moms including:  Does a high titer or low titer mean the baby is antigen positive or negative?  If mom’s antibodies are too low to titer, what does that mean for the rest of the pregnancy?  Is it too risky to pursue anoth...

S3E2: Low Titer Alloimmunized Pregnancies  Over half of alloimmunized pregnancies begin with a low antibody titer, and a portion stay low throughout the pregnancy. Others begin low and later rise to critical levels. This episode is dedicated to management of the low titer pregnancy and how to anticipate a potential change in disease trajectory if titers increase.  Bethany and Molly include managem...

S3E1: Top 5 Things to Save HDFN Babies  Bethany and Molly begin Season 3 with a review of the episodes ahead before challenging each other to list what they think are Top 5 things that would keep the most HDFN babies safe. The episode takes a turn when they reveal that they have signed themselves up for plenty more than 5 things (listed below).  Donate to AHF: https://allohopefoundation.org/get-in...