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Rh Negative

Rh Negative During Pregnancy

Rh incompatibility occurs when the mother has Rh-negative blood and the baby has Rh-positive blood, which can lead to complications during pregnancy if not properly managed. The Rh factor is a protein found on red blood cells; if your blood type is Rh-negative, it means you don’t have this protein, whereas Rh-positive blood contains it.

If an Rh-negative mother is carrying an Rh-positive baby, her immune system might recognize the baby’s Rh-positive blood cells as foreign and produce antibodies against them. This can lead to a condition known as hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN), where the antibodies attack the baby’s red blood cells, causing anemia, jaundice, or even more serious conditions such as heart failure or brain damage.

However, this is usually not a problem in the first pregnancy, as the mother’s body does not produce enough antibodies during the initial exposure. The risk typically arises in subsequent pregnancies, where the body’s immune system has already been sensitized and may produce antibodies that affect the next Rh-positive baby.

Prevention and Management:

  1. Rh Immunoglobulin (RhIg) Injections: The key to preventing complications is the administration of Rh immunoglobulin (RhIg) during pregnancy. This injection is given at 28 weeks of pregnancy and again after delivery if the baby is Rh-positive. RhIg prevents the mother’s immune system from producing antibodies against Rh-positive blood cells.
  2. Early Testing and Monitoring: Routine blood tests will check the Rh status of both the mother and the father. If the mother is Rh-negative, further testing will be done to monitor if she has developed any antibodies. If antibodies are detected, additional tests will be done to monitor the baby’s condition, including ultrasounds and blood tests to check for signs of anemia or other complications.
  3. After Delivery: If the baby is Rh-positive, the mother will be given another dose of RhIg within 72 hours after delivery to prevent the development of antibodies for future
    pregnancies.

At Borneo Mother & Child Hospital, we closely monitor patients with Rh-negative blood during pregnancy, providing the necessary treatments and interventions to protect both the mother and baby. With proper care, most women with Rh-negative blood can have healthy pregnancies and babies without complications. Our team is here to support and guide you through each step of the process, ensuring peace of mind throughout your pregnancy.