Questions about Anti-D

[NatalieJaneIsPregnantAgain]

I think I may have asked about this before, not sure, anyway there is a new part to the story now...

While pregnant with DS1, I had to have Anti-D at (I think) 14 weeks, 28 weeks and after the birth.

Had nothing with DS2, MW said they no longer recommended it.

I had a MC in January, and am now 27 weeks pregnant with DS3, and have had a letter through to say I have to have the Anti-D at 28 weeks. So why do I need it now, when I didn't before? And if I was supposed to have it with DS2 and at 14 weeks with this one, why didn't I have it then? I had a large bleed in this pregnancy at 7 weeks and there was no mention of having the Anti-D then either.

Certainly not looking to blame anyone for the MC, I know it is just something that can happen, but did not having the Anti-D in DS2's pregnancy have an effect on the MC?

Sorry for all of the questions, just can't get it straight in my head, nothing new there

[pagwatch]

Not sure
I had anti-D with first two births as I understood it protected the next chil IYSWIM.
I refused it with DD as she was to be my last child and i therefore had no 'next' child to protect IYSWIM.

DD is 6 now so my info may now be out of date. But atthat point anti d was given with each pregnancy and they raised merry hell when i dropped it for DD.

I would ask to see your consultant to clarify tbh. Sounds inconsistent.

[longlegted]

Hi Natalie I have been told I will be given anti-D at 28 weeks when I did not have for either DS or DD (just after thee births). I think they've changed the guidelines. It's the same with the glucose challenge which I had to do with DS then with DD the MW said they didn't reccomend it and now with this PG they are recommending it! It's a bit confusing when they can't make thhier minds up.

[RhinestoneCowghoul]

I'm RHneg and in second pg (last one was just over 2 yrs ago). NICE guidelines are now to offer Anti-D at 28 and 36 weeks, as well as if you have a 'sensitising event' i.e. blow to the abdomen. The baby's blood will be tested at birth and you will be offered another jab within 72 hours of birth if necessary.

I was told that not having the jab could have an impact on subsequent pgs.

[NatalieJaneIsPregnantAgain]

Yes I was told when I had it with DS1 that it was to cover the next pregnancy, which is why I am thinking not having it while pregnant with DS2, could have been a cause for the MC I had after him?

Even on the letter they sent with the appointment time it says that Anti-D should be given at 28-30 weeks, and then goes on to say "This injection is in addition to the Anti-D which is currently recommended after incidents such as vaginal bleeding or injuries to the abdomen."

So why wasn't I offered it at 7 weeks in this pregnancy with the bleed?

And why did I have it 7 years ago with DS1, but not 2 and a half years ago with DS2?

[AHB238]

Hi, Anti D's are given routinely at 28 weeks and in some health authorities at 34 weeks. Baby will be tested at birth, if they are the same blood group as you then you will not usually be given an Anti D, but if they are different you will be, i.e if you are negative and baby is positive.

R.e bleed at 7 weeks. You will only be given an extra Anti D after a bleed occurs past 12 weeks. Anything before that an Anti D is not given. I understand that this is because the placenta is not formed until around 12 weeks, so blood etc can't really be passed between mother and baby.

I don't know why you weren't given an Anti D with DS2 - do you mind me asking when you m/c? Maybe it was because you would have still been protected by the anti D you had with DS1?!?!? As for it not being recommended, i think she was talking nonsense!!

Hope this helps.

[AHB238]

P.S I am O Rh Negative and my daughter was stillborn at 38+6 earlier this year. Nothing to do with blood incomapability however it was a possible cause before we got post mortem results, so the whole anti d thing has been explained in depth to me hundreds of times by my midwife and consultant.

[NatalieJaneIsPregnantAgain]

Thanks AHB

DS1 was born March 2002
DS2 was born December 2006
MC was in January 2008

I am also O Rh neg.

I am really so sorry about your daughter, that must be very difficult for you

[GYo]

Hi NJ
just reading the leaflet, Says you dont need it if you blood shows sufficient antibodies, ie you are already "sensitised".

Maybe when they took your bloods with DS 2 you were ok, but not so when they did bloods for DS3?

Hope I've got that right, leaftlet is hard to understand.

[GYo]

sorry i know that doesnt answer Q re no anti D for bleed this pregnancy.

[NatalieJaneIsPregnantAgain]

I suppose I will just have to wait till I see the MW next week and see what she says.

When she said it wasn't recommended anymore with DS2, I just assumed, like many things (there was nearly 5 years between DS1 and 2, t'is a long time in the medical world!), the advice had changed on it, it is only with this appointment having turned up that I am questioning it again.

I think AHB has the finger on the button re. the bleed at 7 weeks, if there is no blood crossing via the placenta by then, then there would be no need for it.

I don't even know why I am that bothered TBH, this is my last baby so it wouldn't be effecting anything in the future, I suppose I am more interested from the MC point of view than I thought!

[chocbiscuits]

I should definitely get their take on it - my mum had anti-D is the 70s after me (even though am rh-ve) and after my sister.
5 years aint as long as that?