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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

negative blood type mums - advice pls

25 replies

SquintySquirrel · 13/06/2017 21:00

Hi - I'm newly pregnant and doing lots of reading on MN! Have read about extra shots Rhesus negative mums receive - I know that I'm (-) blood type and my DH is (+) so this will apply to me but I'm a little worried as when I was much younger I had a termination at about 9 weeks (not the surgical kind, the one with the pills) and so this is my second pregnancy and I'm reading that it's the second pregnancy that's at risk for Rhesus complications.

I have an appt with my GP next week which is my first since getting BFP but I'm worried as I've never told anyone about the termination and I'm afraid it'll be put in my notes and discussed at routine appts when DH is present.

Does anyone know anything about when I should get the shots since I didn't have any in first pregnancy and also if it's likely this topic will be discussed in front of DH? TIA

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Redhead79 · 13/06/2017 21:21

I think you should be OK as you only need anti d after 12 weeks...I know your situation is a bit different but I had a bleed at 12weeks and a couple of days with my first pregnancy and needed it then and a bleed at 7 weeks this time which did I did not.

Neverknowing · 13/06/2017 21:24

Honestly yes but go to the first appointment and tell them you'd rather it not discussed im sure they won't.
Most of the time doctors would ask me if it was my first pregnancy, If you don't want DH to know then maybe say yes and then say separately after?

FavouriteWasteofSlime · 13/06/2017 21:27

Your DH won't need to go to all appointments. Most of them not much happens!

arbrighton · 13/06/2017 21:30

You will be asked if it is your first pregnancy at booking in.

They give Anti D even for first pregnancy though to try and prevent the complications

arbrighton · 13/06/2017 21:31

And the routine time to give it is 28 weeks

But they test blood for antibodies at that point too just in case

Sittinginthesun · 13/06/2017 21:33

They gave me the anti D injections in my first pregnancy as routine - they have no idea whether you have had an early miscarriage at some point.

Can you explain to your GP in confidence, and ask that it isn't included on your notes?

Lindorballs · 13/06/2017 21:39

You can have a blood test now at around 16 weeks called the "free fetal DNA" test which checks the babies blood group. If the baby is also negative you don't need anti D injections. I had this with my first pregnancy and my DD was also negative so I didn't need any. I've just had the blood test this time round and waiting for results. You will be asked at booking in whether it's your first pregnancy not just because of rhesus status but to understand all sorts of aspects of managing your pregnancy. Maybe just don't take your DH with you? It's a fairly dull appointment

Oddsocksforeveryone · 13/06/2017 21:41

I had a miscarriage at 10 weeks the year before my first pregnancy and I had similar worries but was fine.
I am currently 20 weeks pregnant with my 4th (plus two miscarriages).
Anti D is usually given around 28 weeks.
Last pregnancy I had an extra dose after having a fall, second pregnancy I had one after slipping down the stairs just in case.
I was surprised to find out that my last miscarriage years ago was in my notes already. I didn't go to Dr's I was only early weeks but I called 111 when I miscarried to ask about something, and it must have been put into the system.
Congratulations :)

Original poster

SquintySquirrel · 13/06/2017 22:44

Thanks all for the replies.

I've read that if you have a miscarriage before 12 weeks then the anti d is not given but should always be given after a termination. There is a chance they did give me this shot but I'll need to ask GP.

If I am asked if it's my first pregnancy in front of DH then I'll say yes and hope that if it's in my notes about my termination that they'll be smart enough to know I clearly don't want to mention it

I'm really worried that I'll have whatever complication with rhesus neg and something happens to my baby - hoping the GP can run an early blood test to detect if I have whatever it is that might cause a problem with a (+) baby.

So worried now - I'm only about 4 weeks so still v early

OP posts:

Ohyesiam · 13/06/2017 22:55

Either don't go with your oh, or book another appointment son after and put record straight. This is a relativity common situation ( I used to be a nurse, and prior want all sorts of situations kept private) . it will be put in your notes, with an additional note to say it can only be mentioned in situations where only you are present.
If you are a real worrier, and fear things getting overlooked, could you tell your partner you think you had a miscarriage in the past? At the same number of weeks you terminated.

SasBel · 13/06/2017 23:01

Booking appointment is done on your own, just in case there is anything sensitive to discuss away from your partner.
I am - dh is + I had anti D at 28 weeks with each pregnancy (in a glute muscle)! no follow up shot as all 3 kids are - too.

FavouriteWasteofSlime · 13/06/2017 23:07

My DH only came to my booking in appointment and scans. He had to work and to be honest at the other appointments all they do is test your urine and take your BP. With my second pregnancy he didn't come to the booking appointment as there was no need.

At your booking in appointment they will ask you on your own if there is any domestic violence so that may be a good opportunity to talk to the midwife.

Original poster

SquintySquirrel · 13/06/2017 23:11

Thanks for the advice. I'm hoping I can keep this info to myself but I'm really more worried about health of the baby - I had my termination at 9 weeks about 16 years ago and don't recall any shot or discussing of anti d which I have now read is a must for rhesus neg women following termination. How early can I be tested to see if I have been sensitised in first pregnancy?

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Original poster

SquintySquirrel · 14/06/2017 07:24

Just bumping to see if any other negative mums have experience where they didn't receive the anti d shot in these or other circumstances in their first pregnancy to see what the process is in second pregnancy? Feeling v worried

OP posts:

arbrighton · 14/06/2017 07:36

They will test your blood for anti bodies at the relevant time anyway given the blood types

But if you are concerned, you're going to have to mention it and ask them about testing

Original poster

SquintySquirrel · 14/06/2017 08:18

I will definitely be mentioning it and the health of the baby comes before me keeping this 'secret' but there's not much information on what happens if it turns out I am sensitised and what the course of action is for this pregnancy if that's the case.

I just hope and pray I have a healthy baby

OP posts:

arbrighton · 14/06/2017 08:48

If you are sensitised, there are a number of different courses, depending on how sensitive.

I looked it up after I had my anti-D jab as they were a little vague on why they might be ringing me with results from the bloods. And I'd prefer to know the possibilities and understand than be oblivious

www.nhs.uk/conditions/rhesus-disease/pages/introduction.aspx

Gothbaby · 14/06/2017 10:04

I'm negative and my husband is positive so I've had to have this jab this month! I also pass a medical people in my family so I was casually asking them about having it late or having during the second pregnancy. I think it's more of a worry if you had had the baby full term for the first pregnancy. But either way as long as you have it you should be ok :-) and it's damn early for you to be worrying about! Just get it ASAP and I'm sure you'll be fine, xxx

Original poster

SquintySquirrel · 14/06/2017 10:48

Thanks - I'm trying to be relaxed but I'm so nervous and anxious about this baby! Still so early on so I just need to relax and try to enjoy it but I was concerned I'd be at increased risk of early miscarriage if the baby was a (+) blood type and I have been sensitised.

Thanks all so much for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it

OP posts:

fuckoffdailysnail · 14/06/2017 11:06

I had to have the rhesus injection with both my pregnancies, they were both fine. Can you raise your concerns with your midwife?

CatchingBabies · 14/06/2017 12:47

You will have your bloods done at booking which alongside other things will check your blood group and any antibodies in your blood. I would suggest going to the booking appointment alone so you can tell the truth and ask them to record it as confidential which means it won't appear in your notes or be mentioned.

LilithTheKitty · 14/06/2017 12:54

I had an abortion between my second and third children at 9 weeks and I am rhesus negative. As far as I can remember I was not given the anti-d injection then. My third child was fine. You will definitely be alone with the midwife for part of the booking in appointment so raise it then. Congratulations on your pregnancy and I hope everything goes well for you.

newbian · 14/06/2017 13:00

I'm Rh negative and on my second pregnancy. DH and DD are Rh positive. I'm 16 weeks and have not been given Anti-D in this pregnancy yet.

MrsJayy · 14/06/2017 13:00

Go to your booking in appointment yourself your dh doesn't need to go even though he is excited and wants to support you anyway ask your questions without him there i got antid first pregnancy no questions asked it was 24 years ago so maybe procedure has changed.

CatsCantFlyFast · 14/06/2017 13:04

I'm negative and my second pregnancy was affected. How you are treated won't change whether you tell them about the termination or not. They're going to check your blood for antibodies at booking and if they are present they will monitor you throughout the pregnancy via blood tests and scans.
It's a generalisation that the first pregnancy isn't affected and subsequent pregnancies are - it depends on many factors, so the health care providers not knowing about your termination won't change anything at all

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