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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be furious at my midwife?

43 replies

AnnieDelores · 18/02/2011 22:19

I was told I was Rhesus Negative by my midwife today. I'm 15.5 weeks pregnant. However she was in a real rush so didn't explain much in detail - just gave me a leaflet!!!!

I'm furious and anxious because I had an abortion 7 years ago at around 8 weeks pregnant and could have been sensitised - I was not offered an Anti-D shot at the time.

The midwife did not metion whether or not they tested my blood sample for antibodies. Would they have done this routinely? It's now Friday night and I'm in a real panic about having to wait until Monday to get the answer to this question.

Can anyone help or tell me what I should do?

OP posts:
AtYourCervix · 18/02/2011 22:22

they'll check routinely with your blood group one.

Tryharder · 18/02/2011 22:23

Ring the hospital - they have a duty midwife. Is your GP's surgery open tomorrow at all?

Arion · 18/02/2011 22:23

I'm sure the anti-d jab is much further on in pregnancy, they don't take 1st lot of bloods till after 12 weeks. Not positive as I am + so never needed it. Didn't want read and run as you were stressed. Smile

Feelingsensitive · 18/02/2011 22:24

this may help

All women are rountinely checked. I remember having blood tests after my first scan which was 12 weeks so that fits in with you being told now. Seems like you have an injection for it later in the pregnancy. I can understand you being upset but I don't think its as serious as you think as they know now. Good luck with your pregnancy.

Tiredmumno1 · 18/02/2011 22:30

The abortion wont play any part of it

You will have to have the anti d injections at 28 weeks and 34 weeks, and after giving birth they check the cord blood and if the baby is rhd positive you will have another jab within 72 hours

Original poster
AnnieDelores · 18/02/2011 22:32

I read on the internet that if you already have the antibodies, the jab is pointless. If my blood mixed with the embryo during the abortion , then there's a chance I was sensitised and have the antibodies. That's why I'm keen to know if they test routinely for the antibodies as well as blood type.

Think I'll call the duty midwife tomorrow.

Bloody NHS sometimes lets us down by not explaining things properly!

OP posts:
Original poster
AnnieDelores · 18/02/2011 22:37

Thanks AtYourCervix. That has reassured my a little.

OP posts:
LadyThumb · 18/02/2011 23:02

It does not affect the first pregnancy, so the abortion DOES play a part in it if it is a second pregnancy.

I am also RH- and had the anti-D injection on having my amniocentesis with my 2nd pregnancy, having had a previous miscarriage at 16 weeks.

I really, really wouldn't worry. They will get it sorted out for you.

MadderHat · 19/02/2011 08:49

They test for antibodies before each anti-D jab.

BuzzLiteBeer · 19/02/2011 08:55

I'm not sure why you would be furious. They have told you your status. They gave you an informartion leaflet, they will test your anti-bodies later on and give you the treatment if you need it.
Its totally routine, they do it every day. Andf you might have heard that the NHS in general is a little over-stretched.

lillibet1 · 19/02/2011 09:09

don't panic your baby may need anti d as may you if your baby's father on either occasion is resus + just tell your midwife at your next appointment and she will sort it out

saffy85 · 19/02/2011 09:21

I am Rhesus Negative too and booked into have my 1st jab at 28 weeks. I admit I panicked a bit when pg with DD as I didn't understand it all. It really is no big deal though. You have the jabs at 28 and 34 weeks, extra if like me you fall down the stairs Blush and baby is tested after birth. There may or may not be another jab to be had after that.

Personally I have to agree with Buzz. I don't get why you're furious.

butternut234 · 19/02/2011 11:43

If you have the antibodies they will know what to do. Would only be possible if first time round your partner was positive and the 1st pregnancy was positive too - and only then if your blood had intermingled. If you have them waiting til Monday won't cause any problem (other than worry for you - sorry :) ).

If the midwife did not know you had had an abortion then that would be why you just got what you got - it's never an issue for a first pregnancy - the reason you have the jabs is to prevent any issues with a second pregnancy. They can sort it though even if it does turn out to be an issue for you - I think at worst bub could need a blood transfusion but I am only going by memory on the info I was told when preggers so cannot claim accuracy.

If you will be worrying over the weekend, call the hospy for a chat with one of the midwives on duty who U am sure will reassure you :)

butternut234 · 19/02/2011 11:45

PS If you have any bleeding during pregnancy and are rhesis neg you need to have an anti-D jab within 72 hours I think (as well as the scheduled ones) so just bear that in mind too.

eviscerateyourmemory · 19/02/2011 11:59

In my area they routinely test for the antibodies when they do the blood grouping.

eviscerateyourmemory · 19/02/2011 12:04

lillibet - the baby wont need anti-D.

Northernlurker · 19/02/2011 12:08

HAve you told your midwife about the abortion?

Original poster
AnnieDelores · 19/02/2011 12:09

Thanks for all your advice. I'm a bit calmer this morning.

The midwife should have known I had an abortion at 8 weeks and a previous miscarriage at 6 weeks as both are on my notes. I know the MC isn't a problem as it was less than 12 weeks but I've read that any surgical termination does require Anti-d, whether its under 12 weeks or not.

I went through IVF for this pregnancy so just struggling to understand why no one has discussed this with me before. I can only assume they would have tested for antibodies before they went through the IVF - just didn't tell me.

OP posts:
billybunter · 19/02/2011 12:15

Hi

I'm rh neg, also had termination at about five or six weeks.

I think that early, the risks are low of blood intermingling, the embryo doesn't have much of a blood system yet.

I went onto have two children, first also rh neg, second rh pos.

I would not stress whatsoever, just ring your mw on Monday and tell her of the termination and ask how this affects your care.

Georgimama · 19/02/2011 12:18

I thought anti-D was routinely given at 28 weeks or so if you are rhesus neg and on 2nd + pregnancy. You only have a problem in the mean time if you have a bleed, in which case you will also need an anti D injection.

I'm sorry you're so worried but I can't see what they have done wrong.

Pheebe · 19/02/2011 12:27

Have you read the leaflet she gave?

specialsmasher · 19/02/2011 12:43

It only takes one jab now - at 28 weeks. I had two last time, but only one this. Really no need to worry, and no need to be furious. They test after birth from the cord & give it again if need be.

Original poster
AnnieDelores · 19/02/2011 12:47

Ok. Panic over. Just spoken to a friend of a friend who's a haematologist and she tells me I would have been routinely screened for antibodies I might have developed when they checked my blood group.
She says it would have taken midwife 90 seconds to explain that. Doh!

Can relax now. Thanks for all your advice.

OP posts:
Tiredmumno1 · 19/02/2011 13:13

Special i dont understand why you have only had one, you are still meant to have 2, i had my 2nd jab a couple of weeks ago, this is my 3rd prenancy, and has been the same everytime

specialsmasher · 19/02/2011 13:28

I was told it only took one now - combined or something! Could there be regional differences do you think?