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Original poster

O negative blood

27 replies

Marshmallow1992 · 22/07/2019 20:50

I’ve just read my maternity notes and realised my blood type is O- (never knew this before). Reading more about this alerted me to anti d injections and I’ve tried to read more about it but I don’t understand it.

Will I need the anti d injections for sure if I’m O-? If I do need the injections when would I get them? I haven’t heard anything from my midwife which makes me think I don’t need them? Really unsure about this but it’s worrying me what I’ve read about it.

Thanks in advance for responses.

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TheChineseChicken · 22/07/2019 20:55

They're now testing your baby's blood type using a blood sample from you before giving anti d objections. If the baby is also negative you don't need them. I just got a kit in the post (13 weeks) so you should get one as well I assume.

If you do need them you have them at 28 weeks and straight after birth. They're not pleasant but nothing to worry about.

melissa1215 · 22/07/2019 20:58

If your baby's dad is positive, then there's a chance baby will have a different blood to you. If the blood types mix they can cause some issues in following pregnancies.

If you have a bleed or fall or significant knock to bump then you need to go to the emergency room and ask for anti D

If you're lucky not to have any significant knocks or bleeds then you may not need an anti d injection until 28 weeks, following that (if baby does have a different blood type) then post labour.

I think there's a blood test they can do which will find out baby's blood type and whether or not you need anti d, I'm 29 weeks along and I wasnt offered it but it's worth asking your midwife

I only found out after a bleed at 17 weeks, I've had two injections of anti d since then. I don't know if my baby will be positive like his dad.. waiting game 😂

Flowers12345 · 22/07/2019 21:01

My little boy is 13 weeks old and is O+, I am O-. His blood type was determined at birth. I had a letter from the hospital when I was around 16 weeks to have the anti d injection at 28 weeks, i was then advised if I had any trauma to my stomach, or any bleeding to attend the hospital for a further anti d. It's my understanding that at 28 weeks you recive a low dose, then at birth once the blood type is determined you have the full dose if required. This may differ between hospital trusts though.

dementedpixie · 22/07/2019 21:02

Depends what blood group the father of the child is. Anti-d is required if he has a '+' blood group. How far along are you?

Original poster
Marshmallow1992 · 22/07/2019 21:04

Thanks so much for your helpful responses!

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Original poster
Marshmallow1992 · 22/07/2019 21:05

@dementedpixie I’m 13 weeks

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MeMeMeYou · 22/07/2019 21:20

I’m A neg and had the injections. My husband doesn’t know his blood group and I understand that even if they do, it’s hard to persuade Hosp that you don’t need it (I guess in case of mistake). It was quite a sore injection!

mrsed1987 · 22/07/2019 21:23

I didnt get anything in the post but was informed at a midwife appointment that id need anti d at 28 weeks. I then had an injection in my thigh as soon as i gave birth (warning it was bloody painful) but was then told i didnt need any more

Original poster
Marshmallow1992 · 22/07/2019 21:28

Thanks for the replies, I’m just going with it that I’ll need the injections. As long as the baby is safe that’s my main priority so an injection doesn’t bother me (even though I have a massive needle phobia lol).

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TheChineseChicken · 23/07/2019 06:32

Maybe baby blood type testing hasn't been rolled out nationally then

edgeofheaven · 23/07/2019 06:36

As long as the baby is safe that’s my main priority so an injection doesn’t bother me (even though I have a massive needle phobia lol).

It's actually not this baby but future pregnancies that will be at risk if you don't have the injections and the baby is rhesus positive. Definitely safest to get it unless your partner is 100% sure he is also rhesus negative.

Erismorn · 23/07/2019 07:40

Rhesus blood testing hasn't been rolled out nationally yet. I'm A- but am not having the anti-d, and didn't with my first DD either. DH is O- and as they could see from his medical records, the midwives are happy for me not to have it.

BigRedBoat · 23/07/2019 08:55

O negative blood donors are always in need because it can be given to anyone, obviously not at the moment but once you're 6 months post partum it might be worth thinking about? Hope everything goes well with your pregnancy.

Original poster
Marshmallow1992 · 23/07/2019 11:38

Thanks for your replies. I’ll definitely be getting the injections as do not know DH blood type so it’s the safest, sensible thing to do.

OP posts:
Marty93 · 23/07/2019 11:58

I am B neg.

I received a letter from my midwife once my blood results came back with a special card attached which said I should carry it with me at all times to show I am pregnant and rhesus negative.

The letter also stated from 28 weeks I can have anti-d treatment. I'm surprised you weren't sent correspondence about it.

Anti-D isn't compulsory you can opt not to have the treatment, but I would have thought they would have alerted you so you could make an informed decision :)

Original poster
Marshmallow1992 · 23/07/2019 19:05

@Marty93 nope I’ve not been contacted about it at all which is quite worrying! I’ll mention it to my midwife at my next appointment. Thank you.

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HJWT · 23/07/2019 20:22

@Marshmallow1992 Ask your midwife when you next see her! They can take your blood and test to see what baby is, they call it Rhesus Negative blood type! My baby is positive, I walked into the bannister with a hard box the other week so I rang triage and had 72 hours to go in for my anti D! Also if you have any bleeding ring Triage for anti D!!

Don't just go in because they have to order it for you and can take a couple of hours to come!!

The needle is quite big but takes 5 seconds and your done ☺️ didn't cause me any pain x

Original poster
Marshmallow1992 · 23/07/2019 20:31

@HJWT thank you I’ll have my 16 week appointment soon so will ask her about it then!

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Thefirstlaw · 24/07/2019 07:44

Hi,

If you are O neg (or A, B or AB neg) you will be given anti-d. This is because if your baby is for example A pos, and there is a bleed between baby and you (don't panic, you won't even know it's happened and baby is fine), your immune system can see the baby's blood as a foreign object as the blood cells are not like yours. You will get anti-D at 28 weeks and at delivery. If you do have any abdominal trauma, a fall or any visible bleeding, you will get given a dose of anti-D. The anti-D works to remove the babies red cells from your circulation (it doesn't affect baby), and therefore stops your immune system from identifying the foreign cells. It's purpose is to stop you raising antibodies to the 'positive' cells. It won't cause you problems this pregnancy but if you were to go on and have another baby and they were positive, your immune system could attack the 'foreign' cells. So all in all anti-D injections protect this and all subsequent pregnancies.

Waffle12 · 24/07/2019 08:52

Where we are you get anti-d at 28 weeks regardless of whether they know father is - as well. Then at any other point you have a knock or bleed. They then test babies blood at birth. If they are + then mum gets another shot.

Did you have your blood taken at booking in appointment? If so then they will have seen blood group and should have mentioned anti-d, even if they didnt book you in for the jab till nearer 28 weeks.

In the meantime just make sure that you call them up if you have any knocks or bleeding as they will probably want to get you in for an injection.

Myshoesarenew · 24/07/2019 09:08

Most people don’t really know how important anti D injections are because they work so well at doing what they are designed to do (protect baby from mum’s immune system). If the mother’s body detects baby as a foreign object it might start attacking it, causing baby’s red blood cells to be killed in large numbers. It can be quite serious, but usually affects future pregnancies.

The injection itself is unpleasant but not terrible. If you have the option to take someone with you to that appointment then do because some people have a little reaction to the injection. I’m generally ok with needles but this one makes me feel all funny and I have ended up taking the rest of the day off afterwards in the past.

Fortheloveofscience · 24/07/2019 09:27

I’m A- and had anti-D at 28 weeks. They’d only give beforehand if you had a bleed or a fall.

They gave to me despite us knowing that DH is O- so there’s no way baby is positive.

FWIW, I found the actual injection a lot less painful than whooping cough which gave me a properly dead arm for 24 hours!

Comps83 · 24/07/2019 10:20

I was only told about it at 16 wk appt so midwife will discuss it with you then and will take a blood test

Whisky2014 · 24/07/2019 10:34

They're now testing your baby's blood type using a blood sample from you before giving anti d objections

Not true.

I was told I am A- and was told I'd be given anti d at 26 weeks...and that's what happened.
It was fine

Comps83 · 24/07/2019 12:04

I’m no expert but I was also told whether I needed the injection or not would be determined by a blood test
In fact I’ve just been this morning for a retest after the one taken at 16 wk appt was rejected