Question Please Help!

[rebecca]

RH Factor???

I have been told that because I am A negative (blood Group) and my husband is O Positive that we have the RH Factor and that I must have an injection prior to deliverying our baby. Have any of you had this and could u explain to me what exactly it means. I am freaking out a little, as I have read that I could clot or that the baby could have blood issues when it is born....

Please help

Thanks
Bec

[razzle]

Hi Bec,

I had this too - me being negative and partner being positive, but I honestly can't remember what it all means. From memory I had 2 lots of anti-d (?) shots and that fixes it. It's nothing to worry about as far as I know, so don't freak out! The injections were completely painless, I had the first one in my butt and the second one in my arm (because the nurse gave me a choice that time!)

Sorry I can't help you more... :confused:

Cheers

[jakobsmum]

Hi I found this in some old Human Biology notes.

"The Rh- mother lacks the Rh antigen and so if Rh+ red blood cells from the baby 'leak' across into her bloodstream, she will produce antibodies against it. This direct contact of the mother and baby's blood is most likely to happen at birth. Problems can then arise in a later pregnancy because the mother's Rh antibodies can move across the placenta to enter the baby's bloodstream, causing the baby's red blood cells to be destroyed."

I hope this makes sense. The needle is just to protect the next baby you have. This destroys the antigens your body is likely to make.

Please consult your midwife or doctor regarding this as they should be able to explain it better :)

[rebecca]

Thanks for the information

I spke with the midwives about this yesterday and helped clear it all up for me...I have a better understanding of what it is all about now....

I am so excited as well, we heard Peanut's heartbeat for the first time last night, and the ultrasound is booked in for 3 weeks...my husband is so amazingly excited after last night, it is beautiful to hear and see....

Have a good day everyone

Bec

[bubhub]

Hiya - I'm RH- too and I've had the Anti-D injection 4 times now. It's nothing to worry about (although I agree with Jakobsmum that you should also talk to your midwife/obstetrician).

If there is a cross-over of blood during birth (or miscarriage) from a baby with a RH+ blood, a mum with RH- blood can develop antibodies to RH+ blood. This can cause problems with subsequent pregnancies where you can develop antibodies that 'attack' the foetus. The Anti-D injection stops this from happening and means that you can have happy, healthy subsequent pregnancies. The injection is given to the mum after the birth so there are no risks to the newborn baby.

It's not a problem with your first baby as there's no exchange of blood until the birth. I've got two 0+ babies and there were no problems with either of them. I've had a couple of (early stage) miscarriages too and as there can be a transfer of blood then, I've had to go into the hospital to get an Anti D injection, even though there were no other issues. I'm pregnant with my third now and there aren't any problems (so far, fingers crossed).

My Mum told me all about this because she had exactly the same issue. Her first baby was 0+. They didn't have the Anti D injection back then so with her second baby, she developed dangerously high levels of antibodies and my brother had to be induced prematurely and was very ill for the first few days (happily a healthy 40yr old now!). I was the third and was A- so there were no issues with me.

My Mum wishes the the injection was available in her day!

Hope this helps and good luck!
Hilary

[jakobsmum]

I agree Rebecca, the sound of your baby's heartbeat is the most wonderful sound in the world. Also very reassuring :)