Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Does every pregnant woman out there know their blood group?

70 replies

mears · 04/06/2006 12:35

And if not, why not?

At booking your blood is taken to find out what group you are and if you have any antibodies. It surprises me to find out that women don't often know the result unless they are Rhesus negative. And surprisingly they don't ask for test results either? That is why I am asking the question.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

BettySpaghetti · 04/06/2006 12:36

I've had 2 children and are none the wiser I'm afraid

Original poster

mears · 04/06/2006 12:36

Should also have added any woman that has been pregnant too

OP posts:

Miaou · 04/06/2006 12:37

i knew when i was pg but only because i asked. maybe people don't realise the importance?

mears, i had a question for you - let me see if i can find the thread...

spacecadet · 04/06/2006 12:37

im 0+, when i was pregnant for the first time 17 years ago, you were given a card to carry round in your notes which stated your blood group.

GeorginaA · 04/06/2006 12:38

I had to phone up and ask (I was making an emergency contact sheet with medically relevant info for the family, and wanted to know). I wasn't told after the results.

GeorginaA · 04/06/2006 12:39

(I'm A+ btw)

Original poster

mears · 04/06/2006 12:42

It amazes me that midwives don't tell you the result.

I have seen women not get antibodies checked when they should and I think it would be so much better if the woman was told her group and knew when antibodies should be checked so that the midwife could be prompted if need be.

For the record as a minimum antibodies should be checked at booking then again at 28 weeks if you are rhesus negative and then at 34 weeks if you are negative or positive

OP posts:

LadyTophamHatt · 04/06/2006 12:42

I know I'm the one that the majority of people are...but can't remeber which one that is....

Original poster

mears · 04/06/2006 12:42

And following delivery if you are negative

OP posts:

chjlly · 04/06/2006 12:44

I only know because I am a donor and have a card for that with it on I wouldn't have thought to ask though.

franke · 04/06/2006 12:51

When I arrived in Germany, pregnant for the second time, I was treated virtually like a criminal for not knowing my blood group - like they would have taken my word for it anyway. I never found out first time around and now I've forgotten. But it's in my notes somewhere...

schneebly · 04/06/2006 12:52

I did but only found out earlier that year due to becoming a blood donor.

LIZS · 04/06/2006 13:03

Nope , and when I was in labour in Switzerland with dd (2nd child, 1st born in UK) the staff were appalled that I didn't have a standard Blood Group card to present, so had to take a sample to check it themselves, even though I had my blood test print outs.

Original poster

mears · 04/06/2006 13:30

If you know you are rhesus negative it would be good to know baby's father's blood group. If he is negative no need for unnecessary anti-D injection during pregnancy

OP posts:

Flossam · 04/06/2006 13:36

I'm resus - and didn't get my first lot of anti d while pregnant. I knew I was supposed to have it but stupidly assumed that an appointment would come for me. Stupid because I work in healthcare you would think I should know better!

dressedupnowheretogo · 04/06/2006 14:18

im oneg but ive been giving blood for last few years thats how i know they also did a test on my booking in appointment just had my first lot of anti d

kayzed · 04/06/2006 14:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

trinityrhino · 04/06/2006 14:54

I know but only because I'm rhesus negative ao need to think about anti-D and things

my dh is posotive

dd1 is negative and dd2 is positive so I am having the anti-d this pregnancy

geekgrrl · 04/06/2006 15:01

I do because my blood group (unremarkable A+) was always on the cover page of my notes - bit hard to miss really.

Kif · 04/06/2006 15:44

You know, that really bugs me too....

I took time off work, turned up at the hospital, I queued for forty minutes, gave up three test tubes of blood, and then never heard anything back.

I did ask my midwife once, who said that if there was anything wrong they would have said, but that i could phone the hospital to prompt them to send the results to my GP. After that, I forgot about it until after Dd was born.

Blood group is one thing, but I was also hoping they'd check me for stuff like anemia.

magnolia1 · 04/06/2006 16:09

I am rhesus negative but i knew that long before I was ever a mum

Original poster

mears · 04/06/2006 16:50

Do you know when you need to be tested for antibodies though? Would you know if your midwife missed it?

OP posts:

PinkTulips · 04/06/2006 17:02

i got a little laminated card from the hospital last time with my blood group and antibody(sp?) results on it.

PinkTulips · 04/06/2006 17:04

should have said i knew mine before though as both my parents are O+ so it would have been highly suspicious if i wasn't!

Lmccrean · 04/06/2006 17:04

Im Rhesus neg but cant remember my blood type. I was given a card to bring with me tho. Surely you only need anti d injections during 2nd pregnancy tho? I just remember lots of needles (which I hate and I get dizzy at thought of one piercing my skin) and not a clue what they were for!

Flip

1 2 3