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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Really worried about being rhesus negative… am I overreacting?

46 replies

Elliott124 · 06/08/2021 12:13

Hi all,

I’m 17 weeks pregnant to my first baby. I found out I was blood type rhesus negative a few weeks ago and I have just received the letter to say that my baby is rhesus positive and they recommend that I have anti-D injections at 28 weeks. It’s sent me into a bit of downward spiral this morning as I’ve been looking at lots of stuff online and am really worried about how this could affect the baby and any future babies I might try to have (I’ve always hoped to have more than one).

I’ve already been very anxious since finding out I was pregnant and this just feels really scary. I know I’m probably overreacting but I was just looking for some reassurance? Is anyone else rhesus negative with more than one child?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Topofthepopicles · 06/08/2021 13:32

Untreated it’s hugely hugely dangerous. Treated it’s absolutely not a big deal. Think of it like if you got a cut on your leg and took some antibiotics. Back in the day it could have caused sepsis and you lost your leg or died! But with modern medicine, it’s just a cut and not an issue.

I had anti- d with both mine and it’s really fine. I promise.

Topofthepopicles · 06/08/2021 13:33

As for how op knows, the can test know easily by taking a small sample of mums blood (it’s done by looking at free foetal DNA, like the harmony test. Pretty cool and standard in some NHS trusts now).

Odile13 · 06/08/2021 13:40

I’m rhesus negative. I think it’s quite common. You can always read upsetting stories online about anything but the purpose of giving anti-D injections is to fix the problem. I wouldn’t worry, just take the injections as advised.

Peanutsandchilli · 06/08/2021 13:53

I believe something like 15 percent of the population are rhesus negative. The midwives are very, very used to dealing with women who are. Just follow their guidance and have the anti-d injections as they suggest, and ensure you get checked out if you have any incidences of bleeding, or a significant bump to your belly. You'll be fine.

Starjammer · 06/08/2021 13:55

It's hugely common. Everyone in my antenatal group was RH- weirdly. They just give you the jabs and that's it, really. Not something worth worrying about at all!

Ingloriousbasterd · 06/08/2021 13:58

I have the same blood type, had to have anti D at 28 weeks and again after that due to bleeding after sex. Then again after birth, it's no Biggie xx

Em8725 · 06/08/2021 13:58

@Topofthepopicles that’s really interesting! It’s not something my trust does I don’t think, it was never mentioned. I’d have loved to have known in advance - genetics fascinates me!

dontcallmelen · 06/08/2021 14:04

Please try not to worry OP, as pp said it’s pretty common Rh- had two healthy babies a very long time ago my dd the same had two healthy babies, have the injection & step away from Google.

pineapplecat21 · 06/08/2021 14:04

It's massively common. Nothing to worry about. I had two babies and I'm a R-.

sarah13xx · 06/08/2021 14:15

It’s totally fine! I thought the same but it’s no big deal at all. I also then looked into the anti-d injection and saw all these horror stories about how awful it was to have. Really built myself up for the appointment and it was absolutely nothing! It was less sore than the whooping cough vaccine so please don’t worry yourself reading those posts either, it’s fine!

TiredButDancing · 06/08/2021 14:19

In 2021, this doesn't even feature as any sort of meaningful risk for pregnant women (at least, not in first world countries). Plus, you can be monitored for antibodies (I know a woman who has them - they think she had an early miscarriage at some point without even realising she was pregnant or something similar). Have the injections and it's all fine. How do they know the baby is positive though? Both my DC are negative which meant I didn't have to have the post-birth injections, but I had to have them while pregnant in case as there was no way to know what the babies were.

Insert1x20p · 06/08/2021 14:20

I was just annoyed as DH asked his mum what blood group he was and she said A+ and then all the kids are -ve so I think she got it wrong and actually I could not have had the shots

ajja2021 · 06/08/2021 14:20

I'm rhesus neg, I've had one rhesus positive baby and I'm about to have another. As long as you receive anti d of you bleed and at 28 weeks and after labour/csection you will be fine

It's really scary because no one really explains anything about it, but please try not to worry

Topofthepopicles · 06/08/2021 14:22

[quote Em8725]@Topofthepopicles that’s really interesting! It’s not something my trust does I don’t think, it was never mentioned. I’d have loved to have known in advance - genetics fascinates me![/quote]
Yeah, it fascinated me! I was in a trial for my first child and then it was standard in our area for my second. But they were both positive so had to have the injection regardless. For some women it meant they didn’t need an anti d because both mum and baby were negative.

TiredButDancing · 06/08/2021 14:23

@Insert1x20p

I was just annoyed as DH asked his mum what blood group he was and she said A+ and then all the kids are -ve so I think she got it wrong and actually I could not have had the shots

You can have one negative parent and one positive parent and get two negative kids. That's what we have.

Topofthepopicles · 06/08/2021 14:24

Yep it’s a recessive gene like having blue eyes.

Ohthereyouarepeter · 06/08/2021 14:29

@Insert1x20p your MIL could be right as it is possible for your your DH to be Rh+ve and your DC Rh-ve.

positivebex · 06/08/2021 14:57

I’m negative and currently 30 weeks with my second pregnancy. Had my jabs in both pregnancies at 28 weeks, all fine xx

Chelyanne · 06/08/2021 15:43

It's not a big deal if you have your anti-D and prevent antibodies being made.

I'm rhesus negative and on baby 6. All our children are rhesus negative too (dad is too) but I have had anti-D in each of the 5 pregnancies at 28wk. They don't offer the new blood tests which check babys blood pre-birth in my area yet so recommend the jab "just in case".

Chelyanne · 06/08/2021 15:44

Oh both my parents are rhesus positive, I got both their recessive genes.

Bells3032 · 06/08/2021 15:50

like everyone said it's a very common thing as just involves an injection at 28 weeks and one after birth and nothing bad will happen. I am also Rh-Ve and I am 15 weeks - found out my baby is negative yesterday so don't need it. My sister is also negative and had two positive kids - she insisted i go with her to her antiD appt so i can see its no big deal.

Weirdly both our parents are positive and we both have negative blood. My grandmother had the same blood group as us and had three kids in the 40s and 50s before antiD was invented. Two of them are positive and all three are absolutely fine.

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