Rhesus Negative blood test

[Hall84]

I've been told that I need an extra blood test to confirm whether the baby has positive/negative blood. I was expecting this but apparently should have received a letter by now. The midwife said that there's a drop in clinic but couldn't give me any of the details. We're away next week so I wouldn't then be able to get to the drop in clinic until I'd be 18 weeks and after my next midwife appointment.
Does anyone know if you need to have the blood test at a certain time? I haven't been too concerned up to now as my husband is also Rhesus negative but the midwife did seem to be suggesting I had to go this week. I contacted the hospital but they couldn't get through to check clinic times. Thanks in advance

It's to determine whether you need antibD. You need an anti D injection if you have any bleeding or at 28 weeks and after delivery. So just make sure you have it done before 28 weeks

You can also need anti D earlier if you have a significant knock to the bump and there is a risk of bleeding in the womb (like in a car accident or fall down stairs, not someone elbows you). Or if you have a non small vaginal bleed.

However - In the olden days (about 5 years ago when I was last pregnant ) they couldn’t test the baby’s blood in vitro so they gave anti D to all rh -ve mothers. It clearly isn’t harmful even if your baby is -ve too. So if you were to need anti d before the test, they’d just give it anyway in case.

If your husband is rhesus -ive too I don't get why they need to test the babies group?

Can only develop rhesus disease where a neg mum carries a positive baby. And that can't happen if you're bith negatives.

Thank you! I did wonder with us both being negative but assume it's just a standard test when Mum is -ve @Mogtheanxiouscat as I have mentioned it.

It seems to be standard practice is to only test the mother not the father. Then to check for anti-D. I guess it avoids asking the mother about the father in case they are absent etc.

In my area babies blood isn't tested, I'll be given anti-d at my next app as I have a negative blood group.

My DD is Rhes- and my DGS was Rhes+ and she is currently expecting again. Her MW said that they can do the blood test to check babies blood group at 16 weeks. I dont know if this is a specific week it needs to be tested though, as it was her first appt and we are going to be discussing things more indepth when she sees a consultant.

If your husband is rhesus -ive too I don't get why they need to test the babies group?

Because they don’t trust that the man a woman claims is the father always is. Safer to test baby if possible or just give antiD to all Rhesus negative mothers.