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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

nomoreheels · 19/02/2011 13:32

I'm only booked for one jab at 34 weeks too.

specialsmasher · 19/02/2011 13:34

That's reassuring, nomoreheels!

Tiredmumno1 · 19/02/2011 14:46

Maybe it is a regional thing then, i hadnt heard of it til now

specialsmasher · 19/02/2011 15:40

More than one midwife said it - strange, but I guess they know what they're on about - I do hope so! (39 weeks here...)

moomaa · 19/02/2011 16:11

Number of jabs is different in different regions. In our area it was 2 and has now changed to 1.

Remember you can find out your partner's blood group (GPs will do this for you) and then you might not have to have the injection. I wanted to avoid it as didn't want to be injected with a blood product if I could avoid it.

Bogeyface · 19/02/2011 16:18

I am Rh neg and am currently 27 weeks. I have been told that I will only have one jab too, its a recent change according to the midwife as it used to be 2 until late last year.

I didnt have anti-D after my last baby, who was Rh + and I dont have any antibodies despite me being a text book "high" risk. The chances of developing them is actually very small even in my circumstances.

eviscerateyourmemory · 19/02/2011 16:22

You might struggle to get them to agree to check your DH's blood group. My midwives refused, on the rather patronising basis that they couldnt be sure who the father of the baby was .
Luckily my DHs GP was prepared to request the test.

thefurryone · 19/02/2011 16:23

The number of jabs has also changed to 1 in my area as well. Used to be 28 wks and 34 wks but now just 30 weeks.

nomoreheels · 19/02/2011 16:25

Sorry, miscalculated- I'm getting just the one jab at 31 weeks. And then another after birth if baby has a different blood type.

My DP doesn't know his blood type & keeps forgetting to go to the GP to ask. I may get back on that.

gingernutlover · 19/02/2011 17:15

i am RH neg

my dd is 6 this year

I never had any jabs at all during or after pregnancy, could this cause a problem if I get pregnant again?

Bogeyface · 19/02/2011 17:31

gingernut, it depends.

If you werent offered it then chances are your dd is RH neg too, in which case it isnt an issue. It only causes problems (or rather, has the potential to cause problems) if the negative mother gives birth to a rh positive baby or has a bleed during pg.

They test the babys blood when it is born and will offer Anti D based on the results. To put your mind at rest, ask your GP to confirm her blood group but I would be very surprised if she is positive.

If by some chance you should have had it, dont panic. I didnt get it after my last rh positive baby and I didnt develop any antibodies. It doesnt mean it will be a problem just that it could be, but the risk is very small.

eviscerateyourmemory · 19/02/2011 17:33

gingernut - have you donated blood at all after having your baby? If you had then Im pretty sure that they would have informed you if you had antibodies.

gingernutlover · 19/02/2011 17:34

ah okay thank you

I know they had told me they would test the cord blood but those first couple of weeks are such an awful blur that I cannot for the life of me remember them telling me the result or even if they did it.

Not that I am planning on having any more children but read this and worried

Sorry for hijack - but OP YANBU to be annoyed that you didnt have things explained to you - like someone said it would have taken your midwife about 2 minutes!

PrincessScrumpy · 19/02/2011 17:38

tiredmum I had 2 with dd1 who is now 3 but I'm pg again now and I've been told that in our area they give one stronger one now so 2 isn't necessary so depends on your hospital.

Tiredmumno1 · 19/02/2011 18:50

You learn something new every day princess

Oh well i have had both of mine, so at least thats done now

oldraver · 19/02/2011 19:38

OP.. if your first pg was Rh+ then it could affect this pg if you have built up anti-bodies. I think each health authority has a different policy as our local one doesn't routinely give Anti-D unless antibodies show up. I had them routinely during pregnancy with DS1 (24) but not with DS2 (5)

I delayed the Anti-D after birth until I knew DS's blood group (wuss emoticon)

Dartsonwednesdays · 19/02/2011 20:06

I was not given any jabs apart from the one after the irth, and I'm Rhesus neg. Is this a new thing?

A1980 · 19/02/2011 21:37

You got a leaflet didn't you?

I have a few health problems and sometimes i wish I had a bloddy leaflet instead of someone explaining it person. It's more permanent and you can read over it again adn again and contains more info than the short coversation you have had with the midwife.

Read it and ask questions next time. Simple.

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