Rhesus negative and 2nd pregnancy

[mrsm22]

Hi all ,
I would be very grateful for any advice that anyone is able to give as not a lot of people seem to be very knowledgable about rhesus negative in pregnancy. I have one DS who will be 2 at the end of December and came off the pill early September to try for number 2. I only did a pregnancy test yesterday and again today and I got a BFP. The digital test I did today days I am 3 plus weeks so I am thrilled . About two weeks ago I had some light bleeding which may have just been an implantation bleed but it was after intercourse. I've seen the doctor this morning just to tell her I am pregnant and she thinks I could be 6 weeks therefore had the bleed at 4 weeks. Unfortunately I can't see the midwife for my first appointment until 6th November and the doctor admitted she's not very up on rhesus neg blood type. I thought that at under 12 weeks a bleed didn't matter and that it's only after 12 weeks that you must have anti d for any bleed. Does anyone know if this is correct? I am worried now about the light bleed I had two weeks ago. Can anyone help please ?

I'm not rhesus- but my friend is and she had to have anti d at 10 weeks due to bleeding then had it repeated at 12. I'm not clued up on it either but they do give it before 12 weeks.

When my daughter miscarried she didn't get an antid at the hospital because they said it wasn't necessary under 12 weeks.

Sorry not much help.. can you ring the hospital? It might have been an implantation bleed so not necessary perhaps?

Thanks ladies, that is very helpful. It could well have been an implantation bleed but you just never know.
Gamerchick - I'm very sorry that your daughter miscarried and I hope she is ok now. Was she rhesus negative?

Different hospitals have different policies on this, so some will give under 12 weeks and others won't.

I know this doesn't really help! FWIW it sounds to me like an implantation bleed. If it was a true bleed, there'll be such a minuscule amount of fetal blood at 4 weeks(if the dating is even right) as to be absolutely negligible so I don't think you need to worry.

mrs22 I wouldn't say it's urgent. I was RH- during my first pregancy, lost DS late in Pregancy and had 5 lots of AntiD.
During this pregancy I've had two very large bleeds at 8 weeks. I believe I will be having the Anti D at my 16 week appointment.

I am on my third pregnancy (16weeks) and am rh-. I have been told that if I bleed after 12 weeks to phone the midwifes and then go straight in. I am due my anti d injections at 28weeks as per usual.

The antibodies can cross the placenta, which is why people may say its not required until week 12 and the placenta is there and takes over. If you are worried then I would see if you can phone and speak to the midwife.

It's not necessary before 12 weeks as blood can only mix across the placenta. However, I've miscarried 4 times before 12 weeks and I was given the jab 3 times out of the 4 just for precaution.

This is my third pregnancy and I've opted not to have the anti d this time unless my baby is rhesus positive at the end.

I had lots of bleeds from 5-32 weeks and only got anti d following bleeds after 12 weeks, but I did get it after every bleed no matter how big or small after that point.

You can have a blood test which will show if you have anti bodies. I was one of the unlucky ones who did. You can pm me if you like. It is very rare to develop antibodies so try not to worry and enjoy your pregnancy . Do make sure that at every appointment that you remind them you are rh -ve.

I think it was probably implantation bleed . I'm rh- and I've never been told to come in before 12 weeks if I've had a bleed . Actually my last pg they didn't take my bloods until I was 10 weeks . and also the due date I was given there's no way I could have conceived on the date they said as I had af at the time . So sometimes their dates can be a bit off . I wouldn't worry about it but if you are there's no reason you couldn't give your triage a wee phone just for the advice ? They will probably tell you what the protocol for an early bleed with rh- is . And congratulations

Thanks everyone. The problem is that I haven't seen the midwife yet as I only found out I was pregnant yesterday. My appointment is with the midwife on weds 6th November , which is a couple of weeks away. Unfortunately the doctor I saw today said she would have to research it and give me a call as she wasn't clued up on rhesus negative blood type. I'm hoping as I'm only very early on that u should be ok.

I've just re read your OP and I think you have absolutely nothing to be worried about.

I had an implantation bleed with this pregnancy. The baby at that stage is just a mass of cells and does not have its own blood circulation system. The blood lost during an implantation bleed is your own as the baby burrows in. There is no mixing of blood products at that stage.

I'm also rh - and had a bleed at 5 weeks, you only need injection after 13 weeks. Then routinely at 28 and after delivery

Thanks so much ladies. That is good advice, you can't help but feel nervous x

I am RH - but afraid I don't know anything about bleeds, so won't be of much help. Interested to read that you need anti d for bleeds after 12 weeks - I didn't know that. Didn't have any bleeds with first preg or current pre so far though.

I know you get anti d anyway at some stage in any pregnancy - I think it is at whatever the next midwife appt is after 20 weeks scan.

I think RH - is a fairly routine issue in pregnancy nowadays, so I'm sure you will be fine.