Rhesus - Neg : What to do about 3rd stage???

[mirashark]

Hi,
I am 40+4 so just about to pop and have done lots of research on Rhesus but got a lot of conflicting advice on what to do about the 3rd stage of labour for the best. I chose not to have Anti-D during pregnancy so will only be receiving it if baby is +Positive.

To avoid blood exchange as much as poss during birth and delivering afterbirth is it better to

A: Accept syntometrin and quicken the placenta delivery

B: Let it come naturally with no physical help or tugging

C: To clamp it or not to clamp?

Apparently clamping can cause a swell inside and force blood back and forth through the placenta but if you just get them to let it bleed does it complicate the process of taking blood for the baby's rhesus test?

And what if it's a water birth with all that blood swimming about?

Any advice greatly accepted as I have to compose a birth plan like, yesterday!!!

thanks so much X

[mirashark]

sorry 'it' being the umbilical cord!

[Nik72]

They will need to clamp the cord to take blood to check the baby's blood group but if it's done after the cord has stopped pulsating that would avoid blood being forced out (though am not sure if that increases risk of sensitisation or not....)

[Nat777]

I am 36 + 2 and only found out yesterday that I am also Rhesus- Neg and my Midwife just casually told me. I am slightly confused to be honest and she didnt explain things very well.

I think I understand that if mine and the babys blood mix, then I need the Anti D injection as otherwise I may struggle carrying other babies.

Am I right and is there anything else to it?

I hope you dont mind me asking on this thread.

Thanks

[vickiyumyum]

that about sums it up nat777 its not for this pregnancy its for future pregnancies, to do with anti bodies that your blood can make against other blood types.

Mirashark - the type of third stage that you have will depend a lot on the type of birth that you have, if you have any interventions the hospital is likely to recommend an activley managed third stage, but if everything goes nice and 'normal' then a physiolgical third stage is possible, depending on the midwifes experience of doing this.
whichever type of third satge you have shouldn't effect if they can take blood from the cord for the babys rhesus test.
i would make a birth plan based on your choices regardless of blood group and then discuss your plans/feelings with the midwife that will be caring for you in labour.

[pupuce]

I am Rh- and both times I had no problem getting a natural 3rd stage where cord was cut only when it had stopped pulsating.
Here is more info - not sure if you can see it as it is maybe for registered users only.