So
how is being Rh negative a problem?
When
Rh negative blood is exposed to Rh positive blood the Rh negative
person begins producing antibodies to fight the invading blood.
Antigens trigger your body to produce antibodies. Antibodies
are usually a good thing and serve to protect a person from
foreign invaders.
Now
the problem lies when a pregnant woman is carrying a baby
that is Rh positive. If the mother has antibodies to the Rh
antigen, those antibodies can attack the baby's red blood
cells. This can lead to complications to the baby including
anemia, jaundice, and other blood related problems.
There
is good news! Rh incompatibilities can be prevented and treated.
Part
of the normal blood work up for the pregnant woman is testing
for blood type and Rh factor. Her blood is also checked for
the presence of Rh antibodies. If antibodies are present,
the mother has already been exposed to RH positive blood at
some point in her life and her body already has antibodies
to the Rh factor. Treatment for Rh incompatibilities may be
necessary.
Treatment
of Rh incompatibilities
If
you already have antibodies for the Rh factor your doctor
will want to monitor you and baby closely. If your baby is
Rh negative, no treatment will be needed. (If both baby's
mother and father have Rh negative blood type baby will be
Rh negative, however Rh positive fathers can produce Rh negative
or Rh positive babies.) If your baby is Rh negative, your
doctor will have to run tests to monitor your baby's status.
She may check your blood for antibody levels. She may also
check your amniotic fluid for breakdown of baby's red blood
cells. The ultimate goal will be to hold off delivery until
baby is mature at around 36-37 weeks, but it may be necessary
to deliver baby early if baby shows signs of distress. Sometimes
doctors will recommend an intrauterine transfusion for baby.
As with all procedures there are risks involved.
Thankfully
with advancements in technology Rh incompatibility is usually
very preventable and treatable.
Prevention
of Rh incompatibilities
Rh
factor incompatibility can be prevented by administration
of the RhoGAM shot. Because baby's blood does not usually
mix with the mother's until birth, first pregnancies usually
have no risk for problems to baby. During birth, bits of the
baby's blood will mix with the mother's blood. The RhoGAM
shot should be given within 72 hours of birth. This shot will
stop the mother from developing antibodies to the Rh factor.
Because there is a slight risk of placental tears during the
later part of pregnancy, the RhoGAM shot is often given at
28 weeks of pregnancy as well. If your baby's blood type is
Rh negative, the RhoGAM shot is not necessary. The RhoGAM
shot only provides temporary immunity so it will be necessary
to have the shot given after each birth, miscarriage, or induced
abortion.
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