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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Anti D injections - Do I really need them?!

57 replies

dottiemad · 10/04/2015 11:53

Hi all,

After a recent chat with my midwife I am left with questions about whether or not I need the Anti D jabs....

I am Brh- my DP is Orh- therefore I shouldnt need the jabs? I have had bloods taken to test for +ve antibodies in my blood so if this is negative then I will not need the injections surely??

Its almost like they want you to have them 'just in case' but just in case what? It seems impossible that my baby will be rh+.

Thanks

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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dementedpixie · 10/04/2015 11:55

I think it's a 'just in case your dh is not the father!'. If both of you are Rh- then you wouldn't really need anti-d.

Original poster

dottiemad · 10/04/2015 12:06

Ok then thats my mind made up!

OP posts:

GraysAnalogy · 10/04/2015 12:06

If (god forbid) you and DP split up and you get a new partner and want a child with him, you could potentially face problems then.

I know no-one really thinks that will happen but it's always worth it

Original poster

dottiemad · 10/04/2015 12:08

How though? If the 'new' partner is rh- I will not need them also and if he is rh+ will have the anti D injections that pregnancy?

OP posts:

GraysAnalogy · 10/04/2015 12:09

Ignore me I've read it wrong

Original poster

dottiemad · 10/04/2015 12:15

No probs, just thought I was missing something :-)

OP posts:

comeagainforbigfudge · 10/04/2015 12:18

My mw took bloods to check antibodies even though I'm rh+ .

She was just crossing t's and dotting i's (her words)

I got the impression that they do this these test for everyone to rule everything out. If you don't need the injection you won't get it but they have to at least advise you of the possibility.

HazelShade · 10/04/2015 12:37

If your DP is RHneg and you're certain he is the father (sorry...) then you don't need anti-D. The reason the NHS recommend the injection anyway is simply that they cannot guarantee that the baby's father is who you say it is.

gamerchick · 10/04/2015 12:40

I'm negative and so is my ex so I tefused them. Man the hospital didn't half get stroppy with me. They said they can't take my word for it that he was the dad right to ill have to provide proof he was negative.

I didn't and still refused to have them. They can't stick you with needles if you refuse.

Maki79 · 10/04/2015 12:44

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the posters request.

alteredimages · 10/04/2015 12:49

Yes, definitely they are covering their arses in case your DP is not the father and you are unable or unwilling to tell them or DP has got his blood group wrong. All MILs documents state she is O+, but she isn't, she is AB+ as proven by blood tests. She still isn't convinced though.

Also, this is getting a bit far-fetched, I know, but if your DP was a chimera wouldn't that mean that there would be a chance of DCs being rh+?

It is blanket policy to give anti D to rh- mothers. You are right that you almost certainly don't need it, but there are a number of reasons a baby could unexpectedly turn out to be rh+ and they have to be cautious.

MoominKoalaAndMiniMoom · 10/04/2015 12:50

I had it as we knew DP was O+ and I am O-. But if DP was also negative, I wouldn't have had it. (In the end DD came out also O-, taking after me )

DrLego · 10/04/2015 12:53

You never have to have any treatment, legally, unless you lack capacity to make that decision. Anti-D is really important in most cases, but if you're sure you won't be affected then you are well within your legal rights to refuse.

Original poster

dottiemad · 10/04/2015 12:59

Don;t get me wrong I would not risk my baby's health or mine during pregnancy but I just don't see how/why they may be needed if we are both rh-

OP posts:

DrLego · 10/04/2015 13:01

Risk is if the fetus is +, which I believe can be detected from maternal peripheral blood plasma. there could be a very small chance of a D- baby if DH is heterozygous, I think. If baby is negative, then definitely no need for Anti-D.

DrLego · 10/04/2015 13:04

^sorry meant small chance of D+ baby depending on DH inheritance of Rh-
but no, I wouldn't have the Anti-D prophylaxis if it were definitely unnecessary.

Original poster

dottiemad · 10/04/2015 13:10

Surely if someone is heterozygous then their phenotype would be rh+ as dominant over the rh-?

OP posts:

DrLego · 10/04/2015 13:11

If you are certain that DH is negative then no, I would not have Anti-D,, but please be certain. In some countries, not sure about UK, they will test fetal DNA in maternal blood to check. I'd think DH being tested is easier, but if you are SURE he is negative no need for Anti-D. Ignore earlier posts, am lacking coffee...

DrLego · 10/04/2015 13:13

dottie you're right, I meant the problem is sometimes the testing doesn't show that someone is actually Rh+ not -. If DH is (-)(+) he should be + but occasionally this isn't picked up. If he's (-)(-) and you are (-)(-) then your child will be (-)(-)

Original poster

dottiemad · 10/04/2015 13:18

Yes, that is my only half worry. He is orh- according to the national blood service and donor card. Suppose he could go for a check at Drs?

OP posts:

DrLego · 10/04/2015 13:31

if they will do it, yes I'd say double check - but you're right to question blanket policy when you know it doesn't apply to you.

sianihedgehog · 10/04/2015 14:10

Is there a risk from the anti D injections? I mean, obviously you are within your rights to refuse them if you are sure they aren't needed, but there have been a few good points raised here about how it's really impossible to be certain of that because of the possibility of stuff like undetected chimeras, and because the test is not 100% accurate. Why not just get the injection? The medical community seems to all be in full agreement that the risks justify having it even if your OH is also rh-...

MincePieDiet · 10/04/2015 14:25

If you're absolutely certain that firstly your dh is rh negative and secondly he is the father then you can decline. The injections are offered and not compulsory but it makes sense that women who are not sure of the above two factors do receive it. The risks are very small and for most women the benefit of receiving the injection far outweighs the fact it is a blood product and carries all the risks associated with receiving a blood transfusion such as very small risk of infection or reaction.

Original poster

dottiemad · 10/04/2015 14:37

Well I am certain that my DP is the father....and his blood group as assessed by the Blood Service.

I just don't like things injected into me (and more importantly my developing baby).

How do we know it is safe? It doesn't seem to cause miscarriage but what about later in life? Are there connections to conditions discovered later in a child's life? Not just Anti D but other drugs pumped into a developing feotus. I'm not completely anti-vaccination and will be following the vaccination program with DC is born . I just don't like 'new' vaccinations or treatments when they are simply not required.

OP posts:

DrLego · 10/04/2015 14:37

there are some risks, but nothing like risk of missing administration when it should have been had. I would also note that if you've ever had a previous pregnancy, miscarriage, or termination and even perhaps an early miscarriage earlier on it's necessary.
For the minority who can say with certainty that these things are impossible and that OH is definitely (-) then there is no reason to administer it. But the policy has to be blanket and protect the broad population and all the ways that they may have slight uncertainties.

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