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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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Skiptonlass · 10/04/2015 14:45

Personally I'd take it. I've given blood several times and been told that I am o neg, then two years later told I was o pos. I have absolutely no idea if it was a mix up in results or if I have some sort of weird chimerism... But errors do happen.

Skiptonlass · 10/04/2015 14:49

Op- google "du variant" ;)

I also want to say that there are no downsides or risks if you have an unnecessary jab, but there are risks if you need it and don't have it. That, basically, is why they are covering their butts. :)

LittleBairn · 10/04/2015 14:54

I very much doubt they will blood type your DH for this reason. We asked repeatedly during both my late term MC when I was getting anti-D almost daily they still refused.

HarvestMoon9 · 10/04/2015 19:20

I'm 28 weeks with my third child and had Anti D in both previous pregnancies (I'm Rh- and my DH is Rh+ so there was no question really) but I'm curious - what are the risks associated with it? Is it because it is made from donor blood?

MincePieDiet · 10/04/2015 19:43

I looked into the risks in quite a lot of detail but it was around ten years ago so not sure if any of what I found out is still correct. The main risk is that it is made of blood from a number of donors. At the time it was bought in from the USA mainly donated blood from male prisoners who would receive a nominal fee for donating. The blood is washed and screened etc but there is always a theoretical risk of transmission of HIV or hepatitis B or C(this did happen somewhere like Ireland). or CJD. There is also the possibility of transmission of a blood borne virus that has not yet been discovered so therefore can't be screened for yet. I also found reports that one of the additives used was thiomersal which is a form of mercury but I think that it is not added any more. However having said all that it is still more beneficial to receive it if you need it due to its effects on future pregnancies.

HarvestMoon9 · 10/04/2015 19:46

Thanks MincePie, interesting stuff. In my case, I would still go for it because of the difference between my and DH's blood types, but I'd never really thought about the risks before. Everything has its risks, I guess!

Skiptonlass · 10/04/2015 20:09

There are theoretical but small risks - as with any biological product, there's a tiny chance you could be allergic to it. But... That's a very, very, very tiny chance.

It's made from the plasma of rhesus negative people who have anti d antibodies. The process is extremely tightly controlled and donors are screened very stringently. There is a dire need for new donors as well !

The risk to the foetus of NOT having it is much higher. Haemolytic disease of the newborn is not a nice thing.

Primaryteach87 · 10/04/2015 20:16

Yes you do! My nan lost 6 babies to this before it was understood.

Primaryteach87 · 10/04/2015 20:18

If you are really worried and don't want it unnecessarily you can get free fetal DNA testing done. Then you know if bany is positive or neg. if neg you don't need it

madreloco · 10/04/2015 20:39

If you are really worried and don't want it unnecessarily you can get free fetal DNA testing done. Then you know if bany is positive or neg. if neg you don't need it

Free foetal dna test? On the NHS? Good luck with that! not a chance

Beesandbutterflies · 10/04/2015 21:33

I share your concerns re anti d especially as it's a blood product too my gp gave us a blood form so dh could be tested, he is rh+ so I had it, my dc is too. In your position I would definitely decline

Beesandbutterflies · 10/04/2015 21:37

There is this book about it
www.amazon.co.uk/Anti-D-Midwifery-Panacea-Paradox-2e/dp/0750652322

Scotinoz · 10/04/2015 22:40

I'm Rh- and my husband is Rh+, and I haven't had the Anti D injections during pregnancy.

I had after my first child was born, and they'll do the routine testing after my second arrived and likewise have the injection if required.

My OB was a bit 'meh' about the whole thing. He was of the opinion that I had healthy pregnancies, would be treated medically if I took a knock to the belly, and since there wasn't actually that much Anti D on the go it wasn't really necessary.

I'm not in the UK but I doubt the RANZCOG are giving duff recommendations.

Roseybee10 · 11/04/2015 00:20

I'm A- and my hubby is O- so I never had the anti d in either pregnancy. My mw kicked up a massive stink over it but in the end she had to respect my wishes.

TheGirlAtTheRockShow · 11/04/2015 00:41

I refused anti-d in pregnancy. I'm rh- as is DH. I had to provide evidence of his blood group (easy as he his military) and was advised several times to have it. One doctor was quite stroppy about it as she couldn't guarantee paternity. I told her my DH was definitely the father, unless it was an immaculate conception.
When DD was born they tested her blood group as I hadn't had the anti-d. Surprise, surprise - she is rh-!
I declined it as I didn't see the point in having unneccessary injections, and saves the NHS a bit of money. I wouldn't have it next time, unless I had a child with a rh+ father or unsure of rhesus status. But unlikely as don't intend to have children with any other man!
Getting blood group wrong is very rare, but a lot of people don't know their blood group if they aren't blood donors.

LucyBabs · 11/04/2015 00:51

op What are the risks of having the anti d?

Beesandbutterflies · 11/04/2015 06:46

Anaphylaxis which can be fatal. Also a blood product so blood borne infections possible, those that are known and tested for and those yet to be discovered (this is what happened with hep c)

CorBlimeyTrousers · 11/04/2015 08:59

I declined anti D in my first pregnancy as I am rhesus negative and so is my husband. Every time I had an appointment the midwife / doctors raised it and seed annoyed with me. But I knew who the father was and declined as I just couldn't see the point in an unnecessary intervention. Our son is rhesus negative too.

I am pregnant again and we used an egg donor who is rhesus positive so I will be having the anti D injections this time. If I have understood the balance of risks correctly then the risk of the injection is tiny against the risk to future babies. And even though we plan for this to be our last child it's not a risk I'd take.

Original poster

dottiemad · 13/04/2015 10:09

It turns out the DP has had his blood typed twice in his life so it's a definite rh- so I am going to decline the Anti D injections

OP posts:

newbian · 13/04/2015 10:21

I'm Rh- but DH doesn't know his blood type and neither do his parents! I am amazed by this to be honest. His mom and dad are both Rh+ and he thinks he is too. He needs a blood test ASAP!

I was planning just to get the injection anyway but I'm surprised now to see there are risks associated with it.

Naty1 · 13/04/2015 14:43

Madreloco- actually they are doing the free fetal dna on nhs (trialling some areas) i had blood taken for it. Though they havent bothered telling me the results (from about 10w ago) so im assuming dc is rh +

Beesandbutterflies · 13/04/2015 15:27

Naty1 that's interesting, where about are you? Is it just a blood test?

Naty1 · 13/04/2015 16:10

Yes just blood test.
Tbh seem a waste of time/money id rather they do harmony for trisomies instead as that causes so much stress and nt needs to be done at such specific time.
But mw seemed to think they do some sort of matching to get you the right antiD and that is expensive.
Bristol/n somerset area

madreloco · 13/04/2015 17:35

sounds like a stupid waste of money in a system that cant remotely afford it, esp as its entirely unnecessary.

Beesandbutterflies · 13/04/2015 17:59

Thanks naty I'm going to ask my mw about it x

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