![]() When red blood cells are destroyed faster than the baby’s body can replace them, it causes life-threatening anemia. ![]() During subsequent pregnancies, the antibodies produced by the mother enter the fetus’ bloodstream and attack the baby’s red blood cells, resulting in “Rh Disease.” Red blood cells are needed to carry oxygen throughout the body. Those antibodies aren’t a problem during the first pregnancy, but problems can happen if an Rh-negative person becomes pregnant again. Rh Incompatibility prompts the mother’s immune system to make antibodies and become “sensitized” to future fetus’s red blood cells. It’s more common in individuals who did not have access to quality healthcare and prenatal testing during their pregnancy. Rh Incompatibility happens in the United States in about 1 in 1,000 births. However, if a mother is Rh-negative and her baby is Rh-positive, it can cause serious complications if not identified and treated. Having an Rh negative blood type is not an illness, and it usually does not affect your health. In Africa, a negative Rh is rare, about 1-3% of women, but in Saudi Arabia, as many as 29% of women are Rh-negative. In 1940, Landsteiner and scientist Alexander Weiner discovered the Rh protein and concluded that not everyone’s blood cells had this protein.Īpproximately 15% of women in the United States and 17% in Europe lack the protein on their red blood cells and are Rh-negative. Karl Landsteiner first discovered two blood types, A and O, in 1901 after disastrous results in blood transfusion attempts. For example, you might be O- (O Negative) which is blood type O and Rh Factor negative. If your blood doesn’t have the protein, you’re Rh-negative. If your blood has the protein, you’re Rh-positive. The Rh Factor is a protein found on the surface of red blood cells that is inherited from the biological parents. While you might think that knowing your blood type is only necessary when a transfusion is possible, here at Alzein Pediatrics, we understand that incompatible Rh Factors, that “positive” or “negative” after A, B, AB or O, can cause life-threatening complications during and after pregnancy, for both mother and baby. Not only will this test confirm a pregnancy, it will also confirm the mother’s blood type. My 1st baby was born at 41 weeks, had anti d at 28 and 33 weeks and following the birth, my 2nd baby was born at 40+16 very late baby huge too, anti d given also at 28 and 33 weeks, and not after delivery for some reason not sure of the reason why, and my 3rd baby born 7 weeks was born at 39 weeks via c-section due to the cord being wrapped around his neck, i had several anti d injections, one at 19 weeks due to a kid running into me, double dose at 25 weeks due to the dog jumping onto me, and a triple dose at 28 weeks which is normal as they don't do them at 33 weeks anymore, they are all just a precauction and nothing to be alarmed about.ĭon't worry about it all, i also read many horror stories on the net but sometimes i think you can worry yourself silly after reading things on here, but honestly all my babies were fine never had any problems at all and are all doing fine.Įnjoy your growing bump and before long you will have a little bundle in your arms xxxOne of the first things a medical provider might do when a person suspects they are pregnant is order a blood test. I would like to point out that being Rh -, isn't such a bad thing, i too am Rh- and i've just had my 3rd baby, the first pregnancy is fine and the anti d injections is to prevent a blood crossing over and affecting future babies! Massive congtratulations on your pregnancy, what exciting times ahead for you. Thanks so much for reading this, any advice greatly appreciated I think I understand the basics of it all but I can't seem to grasp how serious/common this is from what I'm reading, some sites give really terrifying examples of babies needing blood transfusions after birth etc.Ī) once i have the anti D injections in the 3rd trimester, will this mean nothing can go wrong, or is there still a risk to my baby?ī) how common is in for the mothers blood and baby's blood to mix and is there anything I can do to prevent this?Ĭ) what are the odds that this won't affect my baby at all? My midwife, while lovely, does seem to rush through explaining things - I have since looked on the internet for a bit more info on all of this and really have got myself worked up about it. I had my 16 wk midwife check up on Friday, where I discovered from bloods taken at the first mw appointment that my blood type is O negative, and therefore there is a risk to me and my baby if our bloods mix and I need to have 'anti D injections'. ![]() I am 27 years old, 16 weeks pregnant with my first baby.
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