Rhesus Sensitized and TTC

[greenapple]

I am awaiting monday morning so I can call my FS and get the low down, but in the mean time I will ask my questions here...

Firstly I am blood group A - (negative)

I had an abortion almost 5 years ago now, after the procedure I was never given any follow up care or instructions, it was the procedure took place I went home, 2 days later I had a blood test to confirm HCG was going down and I NEVER heard back from anyone again .. I wasn't given any care sheets / inforamtion / cousilling etc ...

Any way, regardless I have just learnt that after a pregnancy when you are a negative blood group you need to have the ANTI - D shot to safe guard your body from Rhesus Sensitization which can effect future pregnancies in the future.

Basically over the last 3 years I have had positive HPT and a few days later I will get heavy bleeding, until now I have written it off as my period and a false positive, however it is just starting to make sense that it would be too much of a coincidence that this would happen several times over 3 years (and one HPT was then reconfirmed by the dr. blood test was done only to be told that HCG was back on the way down and to expect a heavy bleed)

So now I am begining to think that it might be because I am rhesus senstized. My partner is Rhesus Positive (we are 99% sure)

How does Rhesus Sensitization affect future conception ?

Any help would be good!!

(Girl I ask that any replies only are about Rhesus sensitization / experiences - I love reading positive vibes etc but please keep this one on topic)

Thanks in advance :hair:

[my-fab4]

Sounds like you might be on to something Greenapple. I'm not sure how they manage a rhesus sensitive pregnancy, but I hope you find some answers soon. I am O-ve and my partner and three children have been O+ve. I have received Anti D for all pregnancies and after births, so am lucky. Good luck with your ttc journey.

[Cicho]

I am RH negative and have the shots at 28 and 34 weeks, and again STRAIGHT after baby is born...
Last time was about 30 secs. after delivery they stabbed me in the thigh :yes:

Anyway, I believe it is possible you could have needed this after your termination because of the possibility of blood spilling into your system.

I would definitely ask questions and check it out

Good Luck :yelclap:

[KatiesMum]

it depends a bit too on how far along you were when you had the termination greenapple.

Rhesus sensitivity is when your baby's posative blood mixes with your negative blood. Your blood rejects the posative blood as a hostile xxx and forms anitbodies to protect itself against that in the future ... similar to the way your body forms antibodies against measles.

The next time your body encounters posative blood, or you conceive a baby with posative blood, your body will make the antibodies and reject it.


Therefore - it matters a lot how far along you were when you terminated, as if it was really early it may not be the problem.

In any case - I would certainly ask your doctor for the antibody test (they can test to see if you do have antibodies ... and if you do there are some things they can do to protect your pregnancy ... but they cant give you anti-d)

Good luck
:flowerz: :goodvibes: :flowerz:

[Electric Rodeo]

I agree with Katiesmum, it would depend on how far along you were when you terminated. I don't think blood can mix between you and bub before the placenta has formed and is functioning.
Also bub could have been negative like yourself and this causes no problem. I am A neg like you and both the boys are negative. I had routine shots at 28/34 weeks but not post birth as others do since the boys were neg.
You can get tested in a blood test I'm pretty sure. I thought if you have been sensitzed it causes problems later in pregnacy, I'm not sure about in early stages.
Definately enquire though.

[HoopDeeDoo]

You can get your levels tested to see if it is present. Ask your GP and you will get some answers :thumbsup:
They usually, or at least should give you a blood test to check your levels after you get the injections as well.

I was told even if you have a miscarriage and you don't even know about it there is a risk that the antibodies or whatever could be present.

So you could be right, and they should have checked your levels after your abortion.

[SomewhereOverTheRainbow]

:iagree: with Katiesmum. The bubs blood needs to mix with yours to cause you to produce antibodies. Have you had a laparoscopy done to check that the abortion hasn't affected you in other ways? Have heard stories of uterine scarring, PID and cervical incompetence following surgical abortions and I think there are a few girls floating around BH that have had issues.
Hope it sorts itself out soon. Good Luck with the bloods!

[Myfanwy]

What rhesus negative group are you ?

You can only have the anti d or rhogam shot if you are anti d. There are a few other rhesus negative groups that can not have this shot. Anti -c (which I am), Kell, anti e etc.

There is so much misinformation on the web about rhesus negativity that I would not trust most of the information on the internet. Instead ask your doctor and find out what negative group you have as that is very important.

[olibecham]

hi there greenapple,
i think i am in the same boat.
i have just had 3rd consecutive loss in 12 months and all very early.

first was at 5 weeks (chemical pregnancy)
second was a missed miscarriage, baby died at 6 weeks but my i did not have the 'miscarriage' till 12 wks
and thirdly happened yesterday again a chemical pregnancy ending at 5 weeks

i have a blood type 'o negative'. i had a great pregnancy and delivery with my son and was given a shot of anti d during the pregnancy and right after his birth. with each miscarriage i have also had an anti d shot and will be off to have another one tomorrow.

i cant help but feel like my body is rejecting being pregnant and i have a feeling that my blood group is the reason. despite having the anti d shots, im wondering if perhaps i had another very early miscarriage that i was not aware of and thats where the problem is/started.....?

im going to try and get as much info as i can on this topic as i really want to know if this is the cause. there is a lot of conflicting info on the web which is not so helpful. ill share what i find out.

i guess they will want to do a blood test first but i would have thought they would have checked this out when i was in hospital last year... maybe not?

in the mean time i really want to know if this is the reason i am losing the pregnancies so early, and if so what they can do to prevent it happening again...

fingers crossed for some answers