Anyone who is rhesus negative and knows anything about sweeps!

[mrsm22]

I have heard that sometimes if or when you have a sweep that you can bleed afterwards. I'm rhesus negative and 36 weeks pregnant, and I'm aware that if I have any bleeding during my pregnancy that I need to have anti D. So I'm just wondering that if I am offered a sweep and if it did cause bleeding, would I need to have anti D? If so, it puts me off the idea of having one. I'm just not sure at that late stage if you would need anti D or not.

As I understand it, you should be fine without it. You need the anti d when you fall or bump in case your baby bleeds a bit as then you may try to create antibodies to your babies blood type. You bleeding after a bump is a sign something may be going wrong due to creating antibodies. Bleeding your own blood isn't a problem. Someone who understands better should be along soon. I would raise it with your midwife if you are concerned. Good luck. I was rhesus neg and my son is a positive blood type and all is perfectly fine with us if it makes you feel better :)

Thank you ever so much, the rhesus thing has made me worry.

I'm rhesus negative and have had sweeps before (on 4th pregnancy now) no midwife had ever brought up any concers about this with me! You get your anti d jab at around 34 weeks which I understand is enough to cover you through the labour to!

Yes, same as Catflap1 - I am rhesus negative and I had two sweeps when I was pregnant with my first child - one at 41 weeks and one at 42 (the day before she was born, so it worked!) I had a bit of blood in my knickers and when wiping after both sweeps and nothing was ever mentioned about this being a risk.

I am rhesus neg and had an injection before I gave birth and afterwards too. I had a sweep (was horrible) but no one mentioned anything about being rhesus neg it was 12 years ago so my memory is hazy

I had a couple of sweeps when overdue with my DS. Bled a lot both times. I mentioned to the midwife about rhesus neg/anti D and she said I didn't need it as we knew the bleeding was caused by the sweep and not from the baby. It is only if it's the baby's blood that there's an issue and, in the event of having a sweep, you can be sure that the bleeding has just been caused by that.

I am rhesus negative and my hospital give anti-d at 28 weeks as standard. All the women on my antenatal thread had it then too and we're all in different parts of the country. I assumed that was the norm? I've been told I will have another injection should I have a bleed x

Thanks everyone. I had anti D at 28 weeks as standard. I just wasn't sure about having a sweep if I'm offered one in case of bleeding but it sounds like it should be ok. I'll mention to the midwife too. Thanks again to those who have responded. x

I had 11 extra injections of anti-d in my first pregnancy due to recurrent bleeding. 3 in my second, in a different hospital. I think they've changed the rules now thougj. I think the doses cover you. Hypothetically, I wouldn't let it stop the sweep.

Interesting fact, anti-d fans..........each injection costs about £120.