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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Refusing Anti D

57 replies

Justus22 · 13/01/2019 01:25

Hi, I have been sent an appointment to go for my anti d injection and I'm seriously considering telling them I don't want it. I know they will try to convince me otherwise, they did in my last pregnancy. I didn't plan this baby and whilst I'm now happy about being blessed with a 4th child, we 100% know this is the last and my husband is going for a vasectomy as soon as possible. With that in mind, we have 3 soon to be 4 children, and I feel in the position to say I won't be getting pregnant again to have wished I'd had the anti d as the effects of not having it would only be a problem in future pregnancies (that will not happen.) I know some might wonder why I don't just have it to cover all bases and that is what they'll say to me if last time is anything to go by but I don't like the fact anti d is made using others blood and it just seems a waste of NHS money for something that I really hate the idea of and it actually stresses me out. Is there anyone who has refused it? Am I missing anything at all over it that might make me change my view. In my mind i must take it because if the baby's positive blood mixed with my o negative blood, my body would develop anti bodies that could fight future pregnancies. It's not for the safety of the baby I'm carrying now or my health at all. Sorry for rambling on I hope this makes some sense. Thanks in advance x

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Hedgehogblues · 13/01/2019 01:32

What is an anti d injection?

Owlettele · 13/01/2019 01:39

I don't think you're being unreasonable not go have it. As you say it's for future pregnancies and bloody hurts . So as you are happy you won't be getting pregnant again it's not needed. Enjoy your increased brood. 4 sounds crazy but in a good way! So much happiness 💐

highlandteajenny · 13/01/2019 01:51

I'm due to get my anti-d injection next week. I thought the info I was given said it can affect your current pregnancy if, for example, you have an accident which impacts your bump and causes any internal bleeding which then somehow mixes with your babies blood then the production of antibodies can cause your baby to become anaemic. I was given a card to carry so that in the event of an emergency I would get the jab straight away (needs to be within 72 hours I think). I could have misunderstood so please don't take that as absolute truth, just msybe something to look into while making your decision (although I do understand your reasoning and at the end of the day it's your body and your decision ).

TinyMarie · 13/01/2019 01:54

I seriously considered not having it and my midwife was very supportive in saying it was my choice and they don't force it. I had it in the end but don't think I would have been pressured to had I said no.

nocoolnamesleft · 13/01/2019 01:55

Anti D during pregnancy is primarily to protect the baby with which you are already pregnant. Anti D after delivery is to protect future babies of future pregnancies.

PutYourBackIntoit · 13/01/2019 01:56

Are you and your husband both rhesus regative??

Cariadxx · 13/01/2019 04:11

Highland is right..... you should have the anti d in case of any bumps in this pregnancy. It doesn't hurt that much at all.

madcatladyforever · 13/01/2019 04:21

My 2nd baby died because I didn't have it. It was a medical error. I would have had it if I'd known I had to. It isn't a memory I want to dwell on.

Justagirlwholovesaboy · 13/01/2019 04:24

This isn’t about future babies, this is about the safety of this one. If your blood mixes due to an accidental fall you are risking losing it.

Wallywobbles · 13/01/2019 04:31

I don't remember them hurting at all.

Essexgirlupnorth · 13/01/2019 05:01

I had to have anti-D yesterday because I miscarried my second pregnancy and we do want to try again.
Unless you partner is rhesus negative too I think you are being unreasonable not to have it.

Original poster

Justus22 · 13/01/2019 08:43

Hi all, thanks for your responses, I've always been told that the Anti D I have in pregnancy is for subsequent pregnancies and not this one but I will ask them again if that is the case as of course if it is I wouldn't hesitate to have it but I've just had a quick search and the end of this baby centre article states the same, the only instances you wouldn't want to have are if you aren't going to have more children www.babycentre.co.uk/x568944/why-do-i-need-anti-d-and-is-it-safe. I will check and double check this won't affect my baby though I promise. My husband isn't rh negative no, just me. Our 3 children have all been positive too so I've always had it with those, although I did fall down the stairs in my last pregnancy (top to bottom) at 31 weeks and the hospital didn't want me to go in when I phoned as I didn't hit my bump and then later my midwife was not happy they didn't give me the anti d, so my understanding was in the event of a fall or a knock you can have an anti d injection up to 72 hours after for that. I'm so sorry for your loss @essexgirlupnorth I promise you I wouldn't make this decision if it can in any way affect my baby, I simply won't be having any more that's the only reason I am thinking of declining. X

OP posts:

Original poster

Justus22 · 13/01/2019 08:47

@highlandteajenny thanks for the info I'll definitely ask them to go through it as my understanding might be wrong that's why I wanted to check. X

OP posts:

PutYourBackIntoit · 13/01/2019 08:57

Then you should definitely have it.

My DH and I are both A- which means so are all our kids. Anti D pointless for me but you do need it.

Jellybean100 · 13/01/2019 09:00

Anti D protects this baby from getting haemolytic disease of the newborn. Google HDN. Anti D is definitely for both the safety of this pregnancy and the safety of subsequent pregnancies.

dementedpixie · 13/01/2019 09:08

I had to have it after a fall in one of my pregnancies. It is not just for subsequent pregnancies but is for the current one too

highlandteajenny · 13/01/2019 09:10

No problem justus22! Congratulations on your pregnancy! Great idea to check again with the midwife. Think I might be driving mine crazy with all my questions (anxious first time mum!). I asked a LOT of questions about whether I should get the whooping cough vaccine as my DH had a nearly fatal reaction to it as a baby and I couldn't figure out if it might be a hereditary thing. In end I had it but it was a nightmare trawling through all the info online when figuring it out.

Makeroomforthemushrooms · 13/01/2019 09:13

If you have already had 3 children who are rhesus positive then you need to have the anti D for this pregnancy in case you have developed antibodies.

Janleverton · 13/01/2019 09:14

I think it’s also for current pregnancy if there is a cross bleed. I had anti d with all of mine, but something (maybe just very precipitous birth) during or near labour with my last meant that my blood developed antibodies and transferred, attacking his red blood cells. Meant he needed a transfusion as a newborn. It seems that the last anti d was not effective or just too far away from the birth.

Janleverton · 13/01/2019 09:15

And both my older dc were positive too

Original poster

Justus22 · 13/01/2019 09:18

Thank you for the responses, I've searched hdn and again it explains the condition but isn't clear on if the sensitisation occurs in previous pregnancies, I don't see why the baby centre article that I posted further up explains HDN and then ends the article with

"The only circumstances in which you may not need the anti-D injection during pregnancy are if you choose to be sterilised after having your baby, or you are certain that you won’t have any more children. But if there’s any possibility that you may become pregnant again, it’s best to have the anti-D injection in each pregnancy."

I'm not saying you are wrong I'm going to check the info with my midwife and consultant as I'll see him before, it's just because the hospital have only ever advised me based on subsequent pregnancies. I promise I will be thoroughly checking this out as no way would I risk my baby.x

OP posts:

JellycatElfie · 13/01/2019 09:22

Id just have it. The nhs aren’t in the way of offering things unless they’re really needed as they’re already short of cash. If you have a bump or a bleed they’ll offer it again. Put simply if you bump your tummy and bleed internally you could produce antibodies during pregnancy which will affect this baby if they are positive blood group. So you do need it.

JellycatElfie · 13/01/2019 09:24

This is off the nhs website.

If sensitisation occurs, the next time the woman is exposed to RhD positive blood her body will produce antibodies immediately.
If she's pregnant with an RhD positive baby, the antibodies can lead to rhesus disease when they cross the placenta and start attacking the baby's red blood cells.

Original poster

Justus22 · 13/01/2019 09:25

Sorry @janleverton I read yours after I posted, that sounds awful I'm so sorry you went through that.x

OP posts:

Nixen · 13/01/2019 09:28

A very selfish decision! Yes you need to have it, can’t believe you can give birth 4 times but not have a wee injection, and yes I am rhesus negative and had the injections during my own pregnancy just last year.

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