What happens if a woman does not have Rh in her blood?
What happens if a woman does not have Rh in her blood?
This is an important issue if the mother does not have Rh factor in her blood during pregnancy (if she is Rh-negative), because it can cause Rh incompatibility. I will explain in detail below 👇
What is Rh factor?
Our blood usually contains a protein called Rh factor (Rhesus factor).
Those who have this protein are Rh-positive (such as A+, B+, O+).
Those who do not have it are Rh-negative (such as A-, B-, O-).
When does the problem occur?
The problem occurs if the mother is Rh-negative and the father is Rh-positive, and
the fetus receives the Rh-positive blood gene from the father.
Then the mother body considers the fetus Rh-positive blood as "foreign" and produces antibodies against it.
There are usually no problems in the first pregnancy
In the first pregnancy, the baby blood does not usually mix with the mother blood, so there are no problems.
But if some Rh-positive blood enters the mother body during childbirth, miscarriage, or hemorrhage, her immune system produces antibodies.
Risks in subsequent pregnancies
If the next baby is also Rh-positive,
the antibodies in the mother body can enter the baby blood and destroy the red blood cells.
This can cause Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN) or Erythroblastosis fetalis in the baby, which can result in —
Anemia
Jaundice
Liver/heart failure
Even death in the womb
Solution/Prevention
There is nothing to fear — it is now easily preventable.
If the mother blood is Rh-negative,
then the doctor usually gives Anti-D injection (Rh immunoglobulin).
This injection is given —
First at 28 weeks of pregnancy, and
again within 72 hours of delivery (if the baby is Rh-positive).
It is also given if necessary in case of miscarriage, bleeding, or during testing.
What to do
Get your blood type and Rh tested early in pregnancy.
Know your husband/partner Rh group.
If you are Rh-negative, tell your doctor.
Do not forget to take your Anti-D injection at the right time.
