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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Rhesus negative and injections

20 replies

Leither1982 · 25/07/2017 11:35

Hi there
I'm 18 weeks pregnant and have just been told by midwife that I'm rhesus negative. Having read up on it, it all seems reasonably ok and manageable but the only thing I'm confused about is why I'm not being offered an injection at 28/34 weeks as it describes on many NHS websites. I've just been told that I'll only need one if I'm bleeding/have a fall and hit abdomen/have a rhesus positive baby etc. I don't know if it's because I live in Scotland and they have different regional approaches. Anyone know about this? And anyone experienced this where they don't offer you an injection at all?
Thanks

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angelopal · 25/07/2017 11:39

You should get an anti D shot at 28 weeks. They will then check the blood type of the baby when born. If positive you will get another one. I am in Scotland and have had one at 28 weeks in all 3 pregnancies. The last one being only a few weeks ago.

pacempercutiens · 25/07/2017 12:38

I had the same confusion! I was told the same at my 16 week appointment, then by or at my next appointment (25 weeks) I got the date of my first Anti-D injection

triplesalco · 25/07/2017 12:48

I'm A-, I didn't have anti D because exP was also A-.

Could this be the case with you?

MrsBosh · 25/07/2017 12:51

Have you heard what the baby's blood type is? I'm rhesus negative. I had bloods taken at 12 week scan which showed baby is also negative, I therefore won't need the anti-D.

Bluerose27 · 25/07/2017 12:54

Yes, find out your partner's blood type - if he's not sure he could donate blood assuming he meets the criteria and they'll tell him. Plus it's an extra unit of blood donated so it's a win all round!
I was told to take anti D but signed a waiver as my DH is also Rh-. However, they took a sample of blood (at 27weeks) to double check there are no antibodies (that's my understanding anyway) . If there's none then fine, if there are I'll be given the injection. I've had it before, it's not a big deal, just I've shot

Bluerose27 · 25/07/2017 12:55

Just *one shot

Original poster

Leither1982 · 25/07/2017 13:02

Wow thanks a lot for all this info. I have an appointment again in a few weeks with the obstetrician and for my 20 week scan so will raise all this then. I've had a few other health issues so I don't know if they were just drip feeding me info gradually so I don't get unnecessarily worried or perhaps I missed that bit of info. Either way I will follow up and check on the areas you all mentioned. It was just mentioned very casually to me and I was given a card for my wallet and told not to worry, only something to consider if I had a fall/bleed etc. But I suppose if I'd known more beforehand I would have thought to ask more questions..it's a vicious cycle..

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Original poster

Leither1982 · 25/07/2017 13:04

And yes I'm A negative but don't know my partners blood type (but pretty sure it isn't A-) and they haven't asked about that either. But that would make sense! Think I need to do a bit more reading..

OP posts:

DandySeaLioness · 25/07/2017 13:08

I am type O-. With my first I had a shot at 28 weeks but I didn't get one when DD was born - the midwife later told me that means DD is rhesus negative too.
Same with my second pregnancy, a letter from the hospital arrived quite quickly after my 12 wk scan scheduling an anti D jab for when I got to 28 weeks.

Original poster

Leither1982 · 25/07/2017 13:14

Also, angelopal which part of Scotland do you live in? I'm in Edinburgh but assume it shouldn't make much difference, it's probably other factor I imagine.

OP posts:

unevenpeppermintfootspray · 25/07/2017 13:16

I'm o- and because they don't know my husbands blood type I was given Anti-D (single dose) at 28 weeks alongside my glucose tolerance test.

Bluerose27 · 25/07/2017 16:14

Your husband's blood type doesn't need to be exactly the same as yours - he just needs to be rhesus negative. If you are both Rh neg the baby cannot be Rh positive.
If he is rhesus positive the baby might also be Rh positive and your body might manufacture antibodies as it will recognise the Rh+ proteins as foreign. But it doesn't generally affect the first baby, it's in case you have a second baby which is Rh+ and your antibodies would be ready to go.

Receiving the injection of anti D unnecessarily - if you, your partner and baby are all Rh negative is no big deal according to my hospital, it apparently has no side effects. I personally prefer the lowest level of intervention possible so knowing my DH blood type I refused. There's a random link below I've copied in if you want to find out more but it's really nothing to worry about

m.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/The-Rh-Factor-How-It-Can-Affect-Your-Pregnancy?IsMobileSet=true

angelopal · 25/07/2017 16:56

I am in the north east.

squadronleader87 · 25/07/2017 18:28

I'm also in Scotland (Tayside health board) and have an appointment for 28weeks.

Did you receive a leaflet about the various tests they do in pregnancy? It has a section about rhesus negative blood and I'm sure it says in there that you should be offered the injection - take that with you to your next appointment and ask the midwife.

Usernamegone · 25/07/2017 20:36

When tested your blood group did they see if your baby was Rh negative as well. I've just had my bloods back and both baby and I are Rh - so I don't need anti-d injections according to my results, but I think they are going to do some more bloods at 28 weeks to double check

Jedbartletforpresident · 25/07/2017 21:02

I'm NE Scotland and had anti-d in all my pregnancies.

I am o- and DH is b+. I was informed about it when pregnant with my first dc in a very offhand manner, but unlike you it seems, I was told I would get anti-d regardless of what dh's blood type was. (The mw's reasoning being they couldn't always be sure about who the father was!)

We didn't know DH's type as he has never given blood due to various health issues so we paid to have a test to find out - like the PP I was reluctant to have injections I didn't need!

Once we found out he was rh+ we obviously went ahead with them.

I received the post-birth one after dc1, but not after dc2 - I was never told their blood groups, just whether I needed the anti-d or not. I can't remember whether I received it or not after DTs birth - it was all such a blur so I have no idea what they are!

Jedbartletforpresident · 25/07/2017 21:03

I was never offered a blood test for baby in utero but that is maybe a newer thing?

dazzlingdeborahrose · 25/07/2017 21:08

Rh- here. No anti-d with my first pregnancy as it rarely causes issues in the first pregnancy. Was given anti-d with my second pregnancy as there was a higher risk of issues.

Bluerose27 · 26/07/2017 12:47

jedbartlet yes, a friend of mine is a doctor and says they're always reluctant to trust that the dad is definitely who the mum says he is! Not sure if that's funny or outrageous One for the feminist corner maybe.... I can understand it from a practical point of view but it seems very patronising.

But I had to sign a disclaimer saying that I had refused anti D against medical advice. And another statement to say that Mr Blue rose is the father of my baby. I know who the dad is though!!!

Jedbartletforpresident · 26/07/2017 14:21

Indeed bluerose - I had to tell myself rather sternly not to be offended at the insinuation that I didn't know who the father of my child was, or that I was lying that it was my DH to save face - I had to remind myself that it's their job and the mw was merely following protocol! It gave me pause for thought however!

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