Rh D Negative

[SAHF]

Hey everyone

Not sure if this classes as 'high risk', as I'm still pretty clueless on it myself, but on the off-chance anyone else is in the same situation or just knows anything they can share with me, I thought I'd pop a post up.

I got a letter from my midwife this weekend telling me I have a Rh D Negative blood type. This means that my red blood cells could attack the babies red blood cells. I have to have treatment at 28 weeks, 34 weeks, as soon as the baby is born and after that too. They also have to test the babies blood type as soon as it's born, by taking a sample from the umbilical cord.

The letter my midwife sent me was so, so vague and didn't really explain much. So anyone else going through the same or with any knowledge on the topic, I'd really appreciate any advice, input, knowledge etc!

 

[WishingHoping]

Hi Hun,

I was given a booklet when I went in for repeat bloods as I have Anti-M bodies in my blood which basically means the babies blood type could be different to mine & is producing anti-bodies to protect my blood. I got the levels back at 2 (no idea what that means but they don't seem bothered by that) got told that I would have another blood test at 28weeks to see if the levels have gone up or down & then baby will need blood taken from their cord when they are born to check if they need extra iron etc.

With Anti-D & RH Negative I thinkkkkk things are a little more complex but I think you may need to be given a Anti-D injection at some point?? Don't go googling things & perhaps call your midwife/GP to discuss things if you need too.

I know if the baby is positive and you are negative there is a chance of something called "Rhesus Disease" but please don't worry as I am sure they will do the best for you both. Taking the blood from you again at 28weeks will be to check the levels of antibodies & checking the baby at birth will be to see if they are negative like you or positive & then they can decide the next steps.

It can just mean that the baby could be born jaundice but this is nothing to worry about & can happen to any baby at any time. They will be put under lightbulb therapy until their skin turns to their "normal" colour.

Like I said please don't worry but please do ask your midwife when you next see her as she will be able to help & give you booklets to read on.

xx

 

[Lujo]

Hello

I'm rhesus D negative and on my second pregnancy so thought I'd reply and hopefully provide a bit more information. It doesn't make your pregnancy a high risk pregnancy but there are some precautions you should take. If you have any spotting or bleeding after 12 weeks you should go to your early pregnancy unit, tell them your rhesus D negative and they will give you an injection of something called Anti-D. Anti-D acts either to prevent your body producing antibodies to your baby's blood or to mop up any antibodies that your body might be already producing (I can't remember which, the latter I think) and this stops any antibodies crossing over into your baby. The reason you should go to your early pregnancy unit if you have any bleeding or spotting is the risk that you and your baby's blood might have mixed and your body will start producing antibodies. I spotted four times in my last pregnancy and once already in this one so I'm very familiar with the Anti-D injection!

I'm a bit hazy in remembering what happened at 28 weeks. I think I had another injection of Anti-D. Sorry I can't be more helpful there. Also my daughter was born at 32 weeks so never made it to 34 weeks but by treatment they probably just mean another injection of Anti-D (sorry if you hate injections).

When my daughter was born they tested her blood group and she was rhesus positive so I had to have another injection of Anti-D. Now this last injection was to protect against rhesus disease in subsequent pregnancies. If your child is rhesus negative you won't need another Anti-D injection.

One thing that has changed since my first pregnancy is they now offer a test in my area at 16 weeks. Apparently they can determine the baby's blood type. If the baby's blood type is negative - no more Anti-D injections.

 

[Rachel_S]

I've just been for my 12 week scan and have to have the anti d injection at 28 weeks. My midwife just said that if I have any spotting or trauma to my stomach then I need to come into the EPU and say that I might need an anti d injection. I knew I had A r - blood type anyway so was less worried about it.

 

[cas2015]

Hiya hun, I'm sure your be ok I'm rhesus negative and expecting my 4th baby! All my other babies have been positive blood groups. Just make sure you have the injections and you should be fine, also once baby arrives get them to double check babies blood group. My last baby they misread her blood results and said she was rhesus neg and actually she was positive its only cos I asked the to recheck as my other babies were positive. I'm considered a high risk not because I'm rhesus neg but cos I be having my 4th c section x

 

[SAHF]

Hi Hun,

I was given a booklet when I went in for repeat bloods as I have Anti-M bodies in my blood which basically means the babies blood type could be different to mine & is producing anti-bodies to protect my blood. I got the levels back at 2 (no idea what that means but they don't seem bothered by that) got told that I would have another blood test at 28weeks to see if the levels have gone up or down & then baby will need blood taken from their cord when they are born to check if they need extra iron etc.

With Anti-D & RH Negative I thinkkkkk things are a little more complex but I think you may need to be given a Anti-D injection at some point?? Don't go googling things & perhaps call your midwife/GP to discuss things if you need too.

I know if the baby is positive and you are negative there is a chance of something called "Rhesus Disease" but please don't worry as I am sure they will do the best for you both. Taking the blood from you again at 28weeks will be to check the levels of antibodies & checking the baby at birth will be to see if they are negative like you or positive & then they can decide the next steps.

It can just mean that the baby could be born jaundice but this is nothing to worry about & can happen to any baby at any time. They will be put under lightbulb therapy until their skin turns to their "normal" colour.

Like I said please don't worry but please do ask your midwife when you next see her as she will be able to help & give you booklets to read on.

xx

Thank you for replying! I have an appointment booked with my midwife at 15 weeks, so I think I will talk to her about it then. I've read up on it mainly from the NHS website, so no naughty Googling, and it makes more sense now but still quite worrying!

 

[SAHF]

Hello

I'm rhesus D negative and on my second pregnancy so thought I'd reply and hopefully provide a bit more information. It doesn't make your pregnancy a high risk pregnancy but there are some precautions you should take. If you have any spotting or bleeding after 12 weeks you should go to your early pregnancy unit, tell them your rhesus D negative and they will give you an injection of something called Anti-D. Anti-D acts either to prevent your body producing antibodies to your baby's blood or to mop up any antibodies that your body might be already producing (I can't remember which, the latter I think) and this stops any antibodies crossing over into your baby. The reason you should go to your early pregnancy unit if you have any bleeding or spotting is the risk that you and your baby's blood might have mixed and your body will start producing antibodies. I spotted four times in my last pregnancy and once already in this one so I'm very familiar with the Anti-D injection!

I'm a bit hazy in remembering what happened at 28 weeks. I think I had another injection of Anti-D. Sorry I can't be more helpful there. Also my daughter was born at 32 weeks so never made it to 34 weeks but by treatment they probably just mean another injection of Anti-D (sorry if you hate injections).

When my daughter was born they tested her blood group and she was rhesus positive so I had to have another injection of Anti-D. Now this last injection was to protect against rhesus disease in subsequent pregnancies. If your child is rhesus negative you won't need another Anti-D injection.

One thing that has changed since my first pregnancy is they now offer a test in my area at 16 weeks. Apparently they can determine the baby's blood type. If the baby's blood type is negative - no more Anti-D injections.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I will ask my midwife at my 15 week appointment, if there is a similar blood test I could have.

If you don't mind me asking, was being RhD Negative anything to do with her being born at 32 weeks, or not related?

 

[SAHF]

I've just been for my 12 week scan and have to have the anti d injection at 28 weeks. My midwife just said that if I have any spotting or trauma to my stomach then I need to come into the EPU and say that I might need an anti d injection. I knew I had A r - blood type anyway so was less worried about it.

I had no idea RhD was a thing, so it was a bit of a shock for me. I've never known my blood type, as I've never been in a situation where I've needed to find out.

I'm glad that I know now though, as apparently it also means in the future if (touch wood) I was ever in an accident and needed a blood transfusion etc, I have to have RhD Negative blood!

 

[SAHF]

Hiya hun, I'm sure your be ok I'm rhesus negative and expecting my 4th baby! All my other babies have been positive blood groups. Just make sure you have the injections and you should be fine, also once baby arrives get them to double check babies blood group. My last baby they misread her blood results and said she was rhesus neg and actually she was positive its only cos I asked the to recheck as my other babies were positive. I'm considered a high risk not because I'm rhesus neg but cos I be having my 4th c section x

Ah that is so, so reassuring! We planned on having 3 babies and after everything I read, I really panicked thinking it meant it wouldn't be safe for us to have a 2nd or 3rd. I will definitely make sure they double-check Thank you!

If you don't mind me asking, are the C-section births related to being RhD Negative, or not related?

 

[mylullaby]

I'm rhesus negative too and honestly I haven't worried about this at all. I might have done if there was no jab but luckily there is. Really haven't given it much thought. I got the appointment for my anti-d injection in the post and that was it. It'll be fine lovely, really it will. Plenty of people have been in the same situation - try not to worry xxx

 

[cas2015]

Hiya hun, I'm sure your be ok I'm rhesus negative and expecting my 4th baby! All my other babies have been positive blood groups. Just make sure you have the injections and you should be fine, also once baby arrives get them to double check babies blood group. My last baby they misread her blood results and said she was rhesus neg and actually she was positive its only cos I asked the to recheck as my other babies were positive. I'm considered a high risk not because I'm rhesus neg but cos I be having my 4th c section x

Ah that is so, so reassuring! We planned on having 3 babies and after everything I read, I really panicked thinking it meant it wouldn't be safe for us to have a 2nd or 3rd. I will definitely make sure they double-check Thank you!

If you don't mind me asking, are the C-section births related to being RhD Negative, or not related?

Yeah double check, I'm sure your be fine - c sections were nothing to do with Rhd, baby 1 wasn't growing too well and I had a failed induction, baby 2 was 2 weeks late so c section again, baby 3 planned section due to previous sections. As long as you have all your anti D jabs your be fine x

 

[B81292]

I found out I'm negative too... Silly question but do they give you injections in arm or backside? Only because I'm a huge needlephobic!

 

[babyscotcher]

Where they do the jab varied depending on the area. I had mine it the arm but know others who had it in the bottom. Maybe ask your local midwife so you are prepared for it when you go. I have always found though that the bum hurts less as there is more fat. X

 

[Rooster30]

It's nothing to worry about. I'm Rhesus Negative too and survived giving birth to two positive blood type babies thanks to the anti-d jab at 28 weeks and after their births.

 

[glowing]

You also need to phone the midwife if you have a knock or a fall. You will need anti d then Within 72 hours. The jabs in my area are in the leg. You could ask for partner testing as if he is negative the baby will be also so no jabs needed. It won't make you high risk and is quite common. Anti d acts as a buffer to protect you from exposure to the babys potential positive antibodies. If they did mix it could affect subsequent pregnancies.

 

[B81292]

Hi just wanted to say I had my 28 week anti d jab today I was so worked up about it but really it was fine . It is meant to go in the upper arm but I begged her to do it in my bum (wimp) but honestly it didn't hurt and was over and done with . I had to hang about for 10 mins but it was fine (and this is coming from a massive needle phobic!)

They said my next one will be after birth if baby is positive (I think?)