- Rhesus factor
Rh factor known as rhesus factor is an antigen found on the surface of the red blood cells. Red blood cells with the antigen are said to be Rh positive (Rh+). Those without the surface antigen are said to be Rh negative (Rh-). Blood use in transfusion must match donors for Rh status as well as for ABO blood group, as Rh- patients will develop anamia if given Rh+ blood. Rh typing is also important during abortion, miscarriage, pregnancy and birth as mother and fetus may not be Rh- compatible. Rh stands for rhesus monkeys, in whose blood this antigen was first found.
Rh incompatibility during pregnancy
Note: one of the first
Test a pregnant
Woman should
Expect is a blood
Type test.
This test checks her blood type and Rh factor. Her Rh factor may play a role in her baby's health, so it's important to know this information in pregnancy.
Question to ask
1: what if parents don't have the same Rh factor?
When a mother- to-be and a father-to-be are not both positive or negative for Rh factor, it's called Rh incompatibility
For example
- If a woman who is Rh negative and a man who is Rh positive conceive a baby, the fetus Rh positive blood, inherited from the father (about half of the children born to an Rh negative mother and Rh positive father will be Rh postive) Rh incompatibility usually isn't a problem if it's the mother's first pregnancy. That's because the baby's blood dose not normally enter the mother's circulatory system during pregnancy.
Rh negative pregnant woman can be exposed to the Rh protein that might cause antibody production in other ways too.
These include
- Blood transfusion with Rh positive blood
- Miscarriage
- Ectopic pregnancy
Rh antibodies are harmless until the mother's second or later pregnancies. If she is ever carrying another Rh positive child, her Rh protein on the surface of the baby's blood cells as foreign. Her antibodies will pass into the baby's blood stream and attack these cells.
This can make the baby's blood cells swell and rupture. This is known as hemolytic or Rh disease of the newborn. It can make a baby's blood count get very low.
3. How is Rh incompatibility treated?
If a pregnant woman has potential to develop Rh incompatibility, doctors give her a series of two Rh immune globulin shots during her first pregnancy she' ll get it.
- The first shot around the 28th week of pregnancy
- The second shot within 72 hours of given birth.
A woman also might get a dose of Rh immune globulin if she has a miscarriage, an amniocentesis or any bleeding during pregnancy. If a doctor finds that a woman has already develop Rh antibodies, her pregnancy will be closely watched to make sure that those levels are not too high.
In rare cases, if the incompatibility is severe and a baby is in danger, the baby special blood transfusion called exchange transfusion either before birth ( intrauterine fatal transfusion) or after delivery. Exchange transfusion replace the baby's blood with Rh negative blood cells. This stabilizes the level of red blood cells and minimizes damage from Rh antibodies already in the baby's blood stream.
4. What else should I know?
Finally if you are not sure what your Rh factor is and think you're Pregnant, it's important to start regular prenatal care as soon as possible- including blood- type testing. With early detection and treatment of Rh incompatibility, like welcoming a new healthy baby.
Until next time
Trophy precious
Reviewed by: Armando Fuentes MD
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