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Original poster

Opinions on Anti D.

28 replies

Flossam · 06/08/2004 11:34

I know I know, there have been many threads like this. But I would really value some opinions on what other people decided to do. Feeling very apprehensive about recieving a blood product, especially as what I have read seems to say that they don't know what the effects are on the baby. They give the anti D at 26 weeks where I am, and I don't understand why? Is it proven more effective then? Because I would rather have it after birth if I actually need it. Anyones experiences and opinions would be gratefully recieved.

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Linnet · 07/08/2004 00:16

With my first baby it was routine then to give you the Anti-D after the birth if you needed it. I didn't as I'm O Neg and so is dd1.

2nd baby they had changed it to giving every RH neg pregnant woman Anti-d during pregnancy. I wasn't happy about this and asked the hospital if they would test my dh as his mother had told us that he was also O Neg like her. The hospital refused to test him as "they don't do that" so he went to the nurse at our surgery and got a blood test and he is O Neg so I didn't need the Anti-D. I wasnt happy about them wanting to give me the Anti-d as I'm a bit wary of blood products and after everything I had read about it I still wasn't happy. So I did a lot of research and went in armed with all my info. This was a personal decision for me. I should point out though that I had an amnio and at that point my Dh hadnt been tested so I had the Anti-d which I wasn't happy about but looked at it as better to be safe than sorry. The NICE? Guidelines actually state in them that if a woman knows her dh/dp blood group and he is found to be RH Neg then the woman doesn't need to have the Anti-d. But they don't tell you that. It was Mears who sent me a link to those guidelines and very useful they were, thanks Mears
Because we're both RH Neg any babies that we have will also be RH Neg. Dd2 arrived 11 weeks ago and is O Neg just like us and her sister.

Definitely worth finding out in my opinion, but the hospital have their reasons for not testing the dh's which I can understand. Still now that your dh has donated blood you will be able to find out and he's doing a good deed by donating.

Original poster
Flossam · 06/08/2004 22:01

No, I think I'll just sit tight, poor little thing ain't going to have another needle stuck in him I don't think. He hasn't let me forget what he has done yet, nor do I think he will for some time...!

But he is very happy that you are proud of him, and started giggling like a girl!!... must be light headed after all that blood loss!!

Thanks for all your help Mears. Your a star!

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mears · 06/08/2004 20:40

bunny2 - one anti-D injection gives cover for 6 weeks. Hopefully you won't need anymore.

mears · 06/08/2004 20:38
Wink
mears · 06/08/2004 20:38

bunny2 - please do not worry about CJD - the suppliers of abti-D say that the prion for CJD is not in the product due to the various treatments it goes through and that is why Anti-D is also not from donors in the UK. My 2 youngest children (now 10 yrs and 13yrs) have had to have blood transfusions. I do not give CJD a second thought - without the transfusions they would probably have died.

Flossam - if you want to know the blood group sooner, go to the GP. I neglected to tell you that the info at blood transfusion says do not just donate to find out your blood group or HIV status I blieve (wink). Tell your DH how pround I am (we are) of him. He will save somebody's life.

bunny2 · 06/08/2004 20:10

Hi Sam, yes, the bleeding finally stoppd @ 20 wks thank goodness. And yes I have had loads of anti-D, perhaps 4 doses this pg, just have to hope and pray I dont get CJD now.

Original poster
Flossam · 06/08/2004 16:59

Well we have been and he was fine, I panicked when I saw the phlebotomist go and get him a straw cause he had to lie back down though! I thought I was going to cry! But it's not true that this is the quickest way to find out I don't think. It takes them about six weeks to send you a card with the blood group on I'm 24 weeks at the moment so it might be a bit late unless we're lucky. I think I'll say no for the moment, see what powers of persuasion they have and reconsider it if DP comes back positive. Thanks for all your advice and help everyone, especially Mears, I see why you have the thread of priase now, bless you!

Bunny, do you have to have anti d every time you bleed? With all the problems you were having you must be pretty D'd up by now? Has everything settled down now? Sorry I've been meaning to ask.

OP posts:
bunny2 · 06/08/2004 15:38

Sam, I asked my mw about this yesterday. I have already had anti-d a few times due to bleeding, I am loathe to have more. I dont know what to do either.

mears · 06/08/2004 15:18

Well done Flossam

Coppertop - yes you can still give blood if you have had Anti-D in the past. It is only not allowed if you have had a blood transufsion.

Original poster
Flossam · 06/08/2004 13:27

Well through powers of feminine persausion (!) I have persuaded DP to go and give blood hopefully this afternoon. Have to admit though I am a complete wimp when it comes to blood tests and I'm finding it very easy to jibe him into it knowing that I cant give!

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wellsie · 06/08/2004 13:14

Flossam I had the AntiD injection at 26wks, 32wks and after DS's birth. There was no hesitation in my mind about having these injections as my Aunty nearly died when she was born (had to have a complete blood transfer) But this was 45yrs ago and things have moved on a lot, so don't want to scare.
I too am wanting to give blood as I discovered whilst pregnant that I was O Rhesus Neg and apparently this is the stuff that can be given to any blood type - so very important in an emergency situation I think.

coppertop · 06/08/2004 13:10

I'm Rh-neg and dh is Rh-pos. Ds1 and ds2 are both Rh-pos so I was given Anti-D after each birth. I was tested for antibodies during the pregnancies but not given Anti-D until after the birth.

btw does anyone know, with the new guidelines about giving blood, can I still give blood if I have had Anti-D in the past? I was a blood donor before the guidelines were introduced about donors who had received blood products.

Original poster
Flossam · 06/08/2004 12:31

And to make me more keen not to have it, CJD is on the news again. I'm sure too, that the USA has cases of CJD too dosen't it? Having read those threads Mears that was were they were buying it from?

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handbagaddiction · 06/08/2004 12:29

More reasons to give blood:- I needed a blood transfusion of 2 units after dd's birth because my haemoglobin sank to 7.2. Without donors that couldn't have happened and I know how important it was for me to have that. Only problem now is that having had the transfusion, I can no longer gove blood myself for a number of years....flipping frustrating.....as I truly would like to be able to help someone else.

mears · 06/08/2004 12:18

How can he resist

mears · 06/08/2004 12:17

Tell him it really isn't painful to give blood. My son gave blood for the first time 3 months ago at the age of 17 yrs. He gave again last week. Only 6% of the poulation gives blood and as a midwife, I know how much it is relied upon. Try and peruade him to go - he will feel such a hero afterwards. My son thought it was the best thing he has done. His best friend needed a blood transfusion after having bone cancer removed from his leg. He felt so proud that his blood might help someone else. Please encourage him to go today .

Original poster
Flossam · 06/08/2004 12:13

Mears, thank you so much for your information and help! He has agreed to finding out about his blood group by going to our GP, we'll try and get an appointment this afternonn. Unfortuately he's not so keen to give blood, even though I've looked and there is a session on this afternoon not to far away for him to do it... Maybe we could bully him into it here, he is sat here expecting it and taking the mickey out of us!!

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mears · 06/08/2004 12:05

Flossam - away and behave . How many needles to you get stuck into you during pregnancy? It is part of the guideline for anti-D administartion that women should be offered having their husband's blood group checked. I think it is important for everyone to know their own blood group and more importantly to donate bolld if they can. There is a severe shortage of blood donors which women having babies actually need. Not to mention ill newborns. If your DH is able to donate and is found to be rhesus negative, he will be cherished by the blood transfusion service. If you knew his blood group, you would be making a more informed decision.

Original poster
Flossam · 06/08/2004 11:49

We have tried to find out, but our GP dosen't have any blood results for DP. It seems a bit mean to stick a needle in him when I think I could just refuse it now, and have it when I need it! I can't believe so many people have answered so soon, thank you! I'll look at those links now.

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mears · 06/08/2004 11:48

lastone

Hopefully you will get a lot of info there. As you can see it is a subject close to my heart.

mears · 06/08/2004 11:45

and another more

mears · 06/08/2004 11:44

another one here

gingernut · 06/08/2004 11:43

she beat me to it!

Beetroot · 06/08/2004 11:43

This reply has been deleted

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mears · 06/08/2004 11:42

here's one anti-D