concerned

[jayneo]

I am coming up to 4 months pregnant with twins and last week I had a bit of a fall. I was out looking at houses with my dh and ran after my daughter who was our near the road. I tripped on a mat and fell on my knee but it really jurked my stomach.

Being really concerned and having slight pains in my stomach my husband took me to emergency. Being A- blood type I was concerned of bleeding internally etc: They did an ultrasound and the pair of them were happy as larry and no signs of bleeding.

I did not have any physcial signs of bleeding, however, they did this blood test which tests whether mum and bubs blood have mixed some how - and if it has - they need to give me an anti-d shot. Anyway - to cut a long story short - the test came back possitive showing some evidence there was a blood mixture of 4 mls so they gave me the anti-d shot.

Is there anything to be concerned about cause alll I have been doing is thinking there is something wrong and the anti-d could have harmed the two little darlings. I am trying to think possitive and think everything will be ok - I have no reason at the moment to think things wont be ok but I guess I am just a bit paranoid.

Has anyone else had an internal bleed but not bled on the outside physically? IS it anything to be worried about?? The docs beleive that the bleed could have been a little blood vessel near the placenta where there is a tiny membrane dividing my blood flow from that of the babies.,

Any help?

[Sara's Boys]

wow, what a scare, did the doc say you had any thing toworry about? if you have seen a good doc, then reassure yourself that everthing is fine. But I have gotta say, nothing like that has happened to me I had a fall, and I had bleeding but not internally, But if there's one thing I have learned if you ever have doubts with some thing like that, go back and go with your insticts, and get evrthing checked again,or ask more questions. thats what I would do. When I had a fall, my doc had said that unlike in the movies, problems hardly ever occur after a fall, because the fluid that surrounds them is so cushioning. I hope all is well and that you are not too shaken up.

[Tea Lady]

Hi Jayne, I don't know much about the blood thing sorry, but I would certainly expect if the injection was at all likely to cause probs they would have told you. Also, having an ultrasound showing 2 happy bubs has to be an excellent sign. I hope it turns out well and that you don't feel too worried :hugs:

[brooke]

:hugs: :hugs:
How scary for you...
you did the right thing buy going straight to the emergency dept
I have no advice other than to take it easy!
xxx

[jayneo]

They seemed to indicate to me that everything was ok because the ultrasound report came back as everything being normal. No signs of bleeding were seen on the ultrasound and bubs were doing fine. Because I was in emergency I only had the doc that was on duty. They believe I bled a little bit where the membrane is between the placenta and my blood flow which showed a small amount of bleed. That is why I needed to have the anti-d shot so that my body wouldnt attack the babies. That is what being negative blood type brings and it sucks!

I am just a worry wort - have had no probs since - all is good, Just cant wait to feel movements as I have not yet felt any. How many weeks are you and have you felt movements?

[priya]

Hi,

i have done a google search and hope it helps you.
But if you are concerned, see the doctor.
RH Negative (Rh-) :
What does it mean for you?
Your RH status is very important for you and your baby. If you are RH-, then you will probably be advised to have a shot. This article will explain a little about what that shot is, what being RH- is, and why you might want to research things before you consent to the shot.
Determining your blood type:
When you get your prenatal workup done, your blood type will be assessed. You will learn what letter your blood type is (A, B, AB, and O). You will also learn what your Rhesus, or RH, factor is. Your blood can be either RH+, meaning the blood has the RH factor, or RH-, meaning the RH factor is not in your blood.
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Sometimes you will hear RH factor referred to as RH (D) positive or RH (D) negative.
There are six RH genes: C, D, E, c, d, and e.

The C, D, and E genes are positive RH genes; meaning there is an RH factor in the blood.

The c, e, and d genes are negative RH genes; meaning there is no RH factor in the blood.

Only the “D” gene has been shown to cause sensitivity issues, so it is the D gene that is of concern during your pregnancy. That is why RH factor is referred to as RH (D) positive or RH (D) negative by some practitioners. You may also hear the shot given to RH- women referred to as Anti-D immunoglobulin.


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Why does it matter if I have RH- or RH+ blood?
Bottom line: If you are RH- and your baby is RH+, there could be complications for your baby, or future babies.
If you are RH+, then you do not have to worry, because your body does not mind an RH- fetus. If you are RH- and your baby’s father is also RH-, then you do not need to worry.

But, if you are RH- and your baby RH+, and your blood mixes with your baby’s, it could become sensitized. Your body could begin producing antibodies to the RH+ blood. If these antibodies get to an unborn baby, they can begin killing off the baby’s red blood cells. This is called RH disease. It is rare for it to affect a first baby, but if the mother becomes sensitized and produces antibodies to RH+ blood, it could cause problems for future babies. RH disease is very serious; however, recent medical advances allow 90% of babies with RH disease to survive (March of Dimes).

I have RH- blood. What can I do to keep my baby (and future babies) safe?
There is a shot available for women who are RH-. The shot is often called by the brand name Rhogam (BayRho-D is another brand). It is an Anti-D immunoglobulin. The shot is a processed human blood product containing antibodies to the RH factor. Injecting a the small number of RH antibodies into your blood sends them to work on any fetal blood cells in your bloodstream. This causes your body to think that the situation is under control and keeps you from producing antibodies on your own.
The shot was originally given within 72 hours of birth. Now it is common for it to be given routinely during pregnancy around 28 weeks. Some doctors are also giving it routinely at 36 weeks. It is also recommended after any type of “trauma” that could cause maternal and fetal blood to mix. Examples of such trauma are miscarriage, abortion, amniocentesis, CVS, car wreck, falling on your belly, etc.

This sounds great! Why should I think twice about the shot?
The shot is a human blood product. There are some possible side effects to the shot, including possible effects on the immune system of mother and child. The shot is screened for all diseases which it is possible to screen for and the reaction rate is low. Nevertheless, these risks do exist. Some Anti-D immunoglobulin shots are preserved in mercury, which is another concern. There are mercury-free versions available.
Doctors will admit that the 28 week shot is arbitrary – the number was picked just to have a number. The Anti-D shot is only effective within 72 hours of maternal-fetal blood mixing. So even if the injection is given at 28 weeks, it will only help if maternal and fetal blood has mixed 72 hours or less before the injection.

Normally during pregnancy, maternal and fetal blood flows side by side at the placenta, but never actually mixes. During the course of normal childbirth, the maternal and fetal blood will not mix. It is usually during childbirth with intervention that the blood mixes. Interventions could be forceps, episiotomy, cord traction (pulling on the umbilical cord to get the placenta out), or cesarean section, among others. During pregnancy, amniocentesis, CVS, hard falls, car accidents, miscarriage, or abortion, among others, could cause maternal and fetal blood to mix.

In a natural childbirth where the third stage of labor is allowed to progress gently (no forcing the placenta to come), it is very rare for the blood of mother and baby to mix. A homebirth with no medical intervention is often the safest way to assure that maternal and fetal blood does not mix.

If the baby is born RH-, there is no danger of the mother becoming sensitized and so Anti-D is not needed.

So what should I do?
Some women choose to get all the Anti-D injections their care providers give routinely for the peace of mind that they get from it.
Other women choose to completely forgo any shots, not wanting to introduce human blood products into their bodies or their baby’s body. They also don’t want to risk the possible side effects of the shot.

Some women choose not to have the injection done in the prenatal period. After the baby is born, the woman has the baby’s blood tested. If the baby is RH+, she has an injection of Anti-D immunoglobulin. It is important that the shot be given within 72 hours after birth, so the baby’s blood must be tested immediately. Blood taken from the umbilical cord works perfectly for the test.

Some women opt for the injection either prenatally and postpartum, or only postpartum, but request that a mercury-free version be administered.

Some women choose to have a test done on their own blood, called and Indirect-Coombs. This test will show whether or not the woman’s blood has been sensitized to the RH factor. They may have it done before and during pregnancy, so that they know exactly what is happening with their body.

A hard choice for some.
Some women have a hard time deciding what to choose when it comes to their RH status and the shots. They may want to do everything they can to protect future children, but be unsure how effective a shot given routinely in the prenatal period really is. And they may feel uncomfortable having a human blood product injected into their body while they have an unborn baby in the womb.
It is not an easy choice to make. It deserves careful consideration and weighing all the risks and benefits. Speak to your care provider about it.

Some other resources you may wish to peruse:

http://www.unhinderedliving.com/rhogam.html http://www.childbirthsolutions.com/articles/preconception/rhesus/index.php http://www.moondragon.org/obgyn/pregnancy/rhisoimmune.html

Information directly from Rhogam, and an offer for a booklet:

http://www.babycenter.com/rhogam/#book


Wishig you all the best:fingerscrossed:

[~Chick79~]

I am A- too and while i haven't had a fall as such in both pregnancies i have had bleeds in the first trimester and have had to have the Anti - D injection. Please try stop worrying, my Ob assured me that there is no harm to the babies at all!

[jayneo]

Just wanted to thank you for all of your information that you provided. Has been very infromative and cleared some things up for me.

Once again - A BIG THANK YOU!:)

[Oscar's mum]

Just wanted to mention that the Anti D will not harm your babies. It is for the best that you get the injection. I am suprised though that you hadn't had the shot before now!

[reAllytee]

Just wanted to mention that the Anti D will not harm your babies. It is for the best that you get the injection. I am suprised though that you hadn't had the shot before now!

I agree with her ^ :p
Im also a negative !
Sucks but i like that im special :D
But also you dont get the Anti-D shot until 28wks & 34wks but thats also if you choose to do it that way.
But it is for the best especially when it will means both those belly babies will come out happy & healthy !

[PinkBinkie]

Hi Jayne
I am A- also and experienced bleeding after a visit to the chiropractor. She knew that I was pregnant and said it wouldn't interfere with my pregnancy, now I know better! I experienced some spotting, not internally only as you describe. I spent 8 hrs in emergency before I was seen by a doctor. I had an ultrasound and bubs was fine so I then had my first anti d injection, and all was fine.

Don't worry, be happy :smiliedance:

Congratulations on being pregnant with twins. How exciting!

[bronny-jane]

But also you dont get the Anti-D shot until 28wks & 34wks but thats also if you choose to do it that way.


you only get them then if its your first pg, and they only bought that in a few years ago, cause i didnt get it with my first and she just turned 3.

anti d wont cause a problem, ive had it twice with this pg due to bleeds, im sure you and babys will be fine.

as for the falling, i only trip over when im pg, happens all the time:D

[Oscar's mum]

you only get them then if its your first pg


I thought you would get it with each pg! Why only the first baby! that dosn't make sense. wouldn't that put future pregnancies at risk????:confused:

[bronny-jane]

im not sure, but when i was pg with dd 2 i went up to get it and they told me that i wasnt meant to as i've already had a baby. they just keep changing things so often, im so confused.

[Oscar's mum]

im not sure, but when i was pg with dd 2 i went up to get it and they told me that i wasnt meant to as i've already had a baby. they just keep changing things so often, im so confused.

That seems really really odd cause it isn't like your body goes oh hang on that's right I got the anti D the first pg nah don't need it this time!!!!!!!!!

[bronny-jane]

you still get it if you bleed and after the birth if bubs is +.

anti d only lasts for 24 hours