Refusing Anti D

[Justus22]

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

I'm thinking I might just take the one during pregnancy now @jellycatelfie and decline the one after birth. Just to be sure. X

Oh no worries! I’m a bit confused about why/how it happened myself - saw consultant who said that might have had a knock earlier on in the pregnancy and then the birth itself was just about long enough (blood is quick) for me to pass antibodies across. I have a card to carry now in case I need a transfusion in the future. Ds absolutely fine. Didn’t really show symptoms for the first couple of weeks and then all hell broke out, called into hospital urgently because the national blood service told the hospital that there was an issue (from samples sent off after the birth - which I think happens to all rh - mothers).

All absolutely fine though.

@nixen no not selfish, if you read my responses and initial post I'm just trying to clarify how necessary it is as my understanding was that it isn't if you are having no more children. I wouldn't risk my baby and the mice, informative people here have helped me. I hope your manners, kindness and social skills improve for when you come to raise your baby. Happy Sunday to you.

@janleverton oh gosh I'm so sorry. I'll keep the appointment, thanks for sharing I honestly always thought the advice was intended for the benefit of future pregnancies. I didn't think this baby would be impacted at all. I was offered with ds2 to be part of a study to check his blood group before the anti d, (just an extra blood test) which I did but he turned out to be positive and I needed it anyway. I wish they offered that now but as they don't I'll have the anti d. X

Op, I refused to have the anti-D injection with my last baby.

Pregnant women are tested for antibodies at 10 and 24 weeks anyway and it doesn’t happen in one day, it’s a gradual build up if your blood is producing antibodies, not enough to harm the first exposed baby. Of course if you’ve had a fall they’ll give you the injection and you should accept because the chances of blood mixing increases significantly.

My gp ordered me another antibodies test along with the usual FBC at 32 weeks aswell and everything was fine. My dd is 5 now and was born a healthy baby.

I can't really understand why you take that risk with your baby.

I was a first born I 1950s and my mum was rh negative. My brother had to have a blood transfusion when he was born in 1960s. There was no anti d back then as they were still researching how to combat this . When my mum was pregnant with my unborn sister they did the first ever intrauterine blood transfusion on her. The procedure itself worked but it was too late to save her. My mum lost all subsequent babies.

She was so strong and brave still continuing to give blood frequently to help develop what is now available so that fewer babies died.

I wish you well but cannot understand why.... well I do maybe .. it's a bit like all theoretical risks, if you have never experienced it or know anyone it's happened to then you don't see the preventative action as being needed.
Good luck

The anti d is to protect your baby in this pregnancy.If the baby has positive blood and it mixes with your negative blood due to a knock or trauma the baby could die.Its not worth the risk for the sake of an injection.I have rhesus negative blood too and needed the anti d several times during pregnancy.

@newsername that's interesting, I'm confident of the info I've read and been given in previous pregnancies but that said having read some stories like janlevertons I know ill worry now if I don't have the 28 week injection. I will refuse the one administered after birth though as I 100% know this to be my last.

So sorry to read that @tazzle22, what a brave mum. From her story it was the subsequent pregnancies that were affected them, or are you rh negative? I absolutely wouldn't risk anything, I only raised this as I am 100% this baby, being our 4th, is our last and I was sure the info was that anti d is to protect future babies not the one you are carrying. I've had the anti d with all of my other children. All that said having read others experiences and the contradicting advice I now have doubts and so will take the anti d at my 28 week appointment and just decline it after birth.

Its not just if your bump gets knocked, transfer and sensitisation can happen for other reasons too including if you have a mc ...one if that's a missed one you might not. Babies dying because of rhesus disease by about 3/ 4 since the have started and into not as in the forefront now as much as genetic disorders testing.... but it's still an identifiable and preventable reason some babies die.

X posted with you justis... glad you will take it up. I didn't see you had had the jab this the others which explains why your other babes ok.

I am rh positive as were all my mums other babies. I therefore sensitizsed my mum and her body attacked them..

I know its a sensitive to me topic but i was old enough to be well aware and understand when my sister was stillborn and that several times other babies died in utero.

Keep well

.My mother was indeed a very special woman in this respect.... despite her devastation...or maybe because of it.. she wanted to help the medical profession get to know this condition better and help find a way to stop it.

It is her legacy that she... and other women.... helped in this way and made it possible for the next generations of parents have babies when they might otherwise lose them

I think getting the 28 week one is very wise - at the very least, it should mean your bub requires fewer blood tests. With the post birth one, is there any scenario at all in which you could see yourself having another baby? When is the vasectomy booked? I've known people to get pregnant while awaiting vasectomy!

I didn't plan this baby
I really would have it. Vasectomies take a while to have and for you to get the all clear. I know several couples who have had a last accidental child "just before" he was going to get a vasectomy. Why has he not already had one during this pregnancy if you are so sure?
For the sake of a couple of injections it really is worth it (and I am someone who is totally against unnecessary medical interventions)

And I meant there may be another unplanned baby!

I know where you are coming from @loopyloopy @mrbob this baby is my unplanned before vasectomy baby, we haven't a date but in but I'm 15 weeks and we're hoping he'll have Procedure during this pregnancy. I wouldn't let my baby have extra injections/blood tests to get me out of having the anti d either so if thats the case I will have it. I just didn't want an injection containing others blood products if its just incase I get pregnant again because I will do whatever it takes to prevent that.x

I'm going to have the during pregnancy anti d, I'm not on the fence now over that x

It’s not just a few “injections” though is it? It’s not like a vaccine. These are donated blood products and as far as I’m aware with my first pregnancy the anti D was being imported from the US which I had to think through carefully before accepting, due to my own family member being a victim of the blood scandals in the 70’s/80’s. Everyone has the right to think through whether they accept blood products or not.

I made my decision with my last baby, and it was right for me. I’ve had over 7 anti D injections in my pregnancy life time. Some for recurrent miscarriages. If the OP feels she doesn’t want one for a baby that will be her last, then she shouldn’t be told scare stories that (and I am sorry for those who’ve suffered) are very rare.

@newsername I understand your feelings as I too have had someone close contract a serious and life threatening illness from blood given via transfusion, it makes me wary of receiving blood products and this was my main reason for wanting to clarify the necessity of having the anti d during my last pregnancy. I know it's unlikely and I believe they screen the blood used to create the anti d twice for things such as HIV but it's not impossible that they miss things, especially as HIV for instance takes months from the time it's contracted to be detectable in the blood, I had this confirmed by a nurse who previously administered my anti d. I get it anyway, and I do see it as a risk however small because of the case I mentioned above I think I think about this a little more. X

Yes justus22 that’s true, and it’s not just HIV or hepatitis, we don’t know every single blood borne virus that exists. A virus can sometimes take decades to manifest itself, so how do we not know we may potentially be carriers of an unknown virus that is yet to manifest itself?

When it’s a life/death and a medical need situation it’s different. But when you actively make a decision to take blood products to prevent something that may or may not happen, it’s ok to have a think about what’s best for you in the situation you’re in and not what others tell you. And it definitely does not make you selfish, it’s just you’re looking at the wider picture.

My friend is rhesus negative and her husband is positive. Baby is positive. Her first baby.

She almost died because she'd had a rupture which released some of baby's blood in to her bloodstream and her body reacted terribly to it. Her body also began to attack the foetus and she was at risk of miscarrying. She was in hospital for a long time. This was just before 28 weeks when she was due to have the anti d injection.

It's not just about future pregnancies. There's a risk to this baby, too.

Sorry about your friend @tokenginger, that's very scary, I'm aware that in the event of my blood mixing with a lot of rh+ blood in pregnancy, an accident or otherwise it could make me very ill but routine anti d at 28 weeks surely couldn't prevent this? In your friend's case she could've done nothing more as this happened before her shot was due and a rupture wouldn't be something she could've foreseen or protected herself against. If you have your shot at 28 weeks it still doesn't protect you against subsequent knocks, falls, or I imagine an unexpected rupture, you'd need another shot after these occurances it is my understanding? Do the doctors believe the outcome would've been different had this happened post 28 weeks? I'm not disputing it's necessary if you plan on having further children, I hate the idea of taking blood products but I always have for I wouldn't risk my baby, the advice on here has made me feel the 28 week is worth taking but there is still so much conflicting advice re the value of it in a last pregnancy upon reading other threads and articles as well, I'm going to ask my consultant for the full info and get my questions answered anyway as I do feel misinformed or if I'm not others are but I'd like to know. X

Glad you've decided to go for it OP. I feel having it during pregnancy is a real no-brainer to prevent potential intrauterine death. I got plenty of tiny bumps or knocks, esp when the bump was quite large. You just don't know if any of the tiny bumps would cause any blood mixing.

As an aside, if this is definitely your last one - after the vasectomy your DP may still be fertile for 6m or so (he will have to do samples to confirm) - get some good contraception going to prevent any further pregnancies!

(Doctor)

Dear Lord, you need to have it. It is an injection in your arse, two seconds and doesn't hurt at all.

Of COURSE you need to have it.

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."

This is true for your first pregnancy because you won’t have been sensitised. However you have had three previous Rh positive pregnancies so there is a good chance you will have produced antibodies which could affect your current pregnancy. This is why you would be advised to have anti D now.