After so much of effort I am pregnant now. But I am Rh- and I am carrying a Rh+ baby. I am really worried if this will cause some problem for my baby. What can I do to keep my baby safe.
If a Rh- woman is carrying a Rh+ baby its risk as at many times baby's blood can come in contact with mother's blood and at this time mother's body will generate antibodies. The antibodies will treat the baby as a foreign body and can attack the baby's RBC leading to complications for the baby. It can lead to anemia, jaundice and many other blood related problems.
If an Rh- woman carries a Rh+ baby there is a chance of Sensitization.
Mother's and baby's blood system are separate but there are sometimes when baby's blood enters mother's system and mother's body creates antibodies, thus causing sensitization.
This could lead to problems for the baby as the antibodies can attack baby's blood causing the RBCs leading to anemia and many other blood related problems.
In extreme case it could lead to death of the baby.
Now a days there is an injection Rh Immunoglobulin (RhoGAM) which prevents the Rh- mom's body from producing antibodies. Depending on the whether its your first pregnancy and if your baby;s blood has come in contact with your blood the doctor will decide whether to administer the RhoGM injection.
From what I know mostly there is a risk for any pregnancy after the first one as during the first pregnancy at the time of delivery there are chances of mom's blood coming in contact with the baby's blood thus generating antibodies.
And these antibodies can be a problem when the Rh- mom conceive a Rh+ baby. So, its advised to take an injection (as specified by ekta) within a few days of delivery.
Thanks a lot for the information.
ekta and nomitha the information provided by you are really helpful.
My doctor has said as of now I do not have anything to be concerned about.
But he will keep a regular check on my baby and me.
In my knowledge the main risk is at the time of delivery. Though I am not very sure.
If a Rh- woman is carrying a Rh+ baby its risk as at many times baby's blood can come in contact with mother's blood and at this time mother's body will generate antibodies. The antibodies will treat the baby as a foreign body and can attack the baby's RBC leading to complications for the baby. It can lead to anemia, jaundice and many other blood related problems.
I have heard that now there are some remedies for this problem though not sure what it is.
Something you should be careful about and discuss with your doc what can be done.
If an Rh- woman carries a Rh+ baby there is a chance of Sensitization.
Mother's and baby's blood system are separate but there are sometimes when baby's blood enters mother's system and mother's body creates antibodies, thus causing sensitization.
This could lead to problems for the baby as the antibodies can attack baby's blood causing the RBCs leading to anemia and many other blood related problems.
In extreme case it could lead to death of the baby.
Now a days there is an injection Rh Immunoglobulin (RhoGAM) which prevents the Rh- mom's body from producing antibodies. Depending on the whether its your first pregnancy and if your baby;s blood has come in contact with your blood the doctor will decide whether to administer the RhoGM injection.
From what I know mostly there is a risk for any pregnancy after the first one as during the first pregnancy at the time of delivery there are chances of mom's blood coming in contact with the baby's blood thus generating antibodies.
And these antibodies can be a problem when the Rh- mom conceive a Rh+ baby. So, its advised to take an injection (as specified by ekta) within a few days of delivery.
Thanks a lot for the information.
ekta and nomitha the information provided by you are really helpful.
My doctor has said as of now I do not have anything to be concerned about.
But he will keep a regular check on my baby and me.
dhoom, make sure to take the Rh0GM injection with a couple of days after delivery otherwise you can have complications with ur second baby.
Definitely I will get the injection as I do not want any risk for me or my baby.