Injection if your blood type is negative?

[xreadytoglow]

Hi all,

Just a quick question. Is it normal procedure for everyone with a negative blood type (even O negative) to have an injection due to Rh incompatibility?

I haven't seen anyone mention this before on the forums.

I just found out because I went to EPU with bleeding during the night, which turns out to be just from cervical ectropion due to the progesterone pessaries I'm on. And they recommended they test my blood and if I'm any negative type it's incredibly important to have this injection?

Hi @xreadytoglow I'm O Negative blood group and had to have an anti D injection at 28 weeks pregnant and if I bled throughout.

I had one before baby was born, I am A negative blood group I was made aware of this prior. Incase baby is a positive blood group.

@Coxy88 @Funnybunnyfluff aw thank you. It just took me by surprise as hadn't heard of that before.
I'm almost 11 weeks, can it be done any time?

Its anti-D and given as standard if there's a chance you are carrying a rhesus positive baby. It is normally given in the 3rd trimester and then after birth if your baby is found to be rh+. Also given if you have bleeding or a fall that could cause blood to mix and cause a reaction.

I had to have Anti D during pregnancy with both children, and expect I will this time too, but haven't so far had to have one after as both children shared my blood type so no risk there

If you know for certain your partner is a neg blood group aswell then it's not necessary.

Yes, it's completely standard practice.

Yep that’s true! Any time you have a knock or bleed you will require an AntiD injection. You will also get an injection around 28 weeks pregnant 😊

I had two AntiD injections at 13 + 15 weeks for a Hematoma then the standard one at 28 weeks then another at 33 weeks due to a knock on bump (O-).

I had it as standard in 2 pregnancies and then after birth so my 2 kids must be rh+. I am B- and dh is A+

@Daphnedot

If you know for certain your partner is a neg blood group aswell then it's not necessary.

I asked about this when I was pregnant and I was told that they give it anyway, even if your partner is RH neg 'just in case' 😳.

I had to have it with both of my late miscarriages and then both of my children in the 3rd trimester and (as both of the little buggers took after their dad) after too.

If you have a fall or a bleed during pregnancy they'll give it you then too

Was going to say what @Daphnedot said.
If your partner (the father of the baby) is Rh neg (and you are too) then baby cannot be positive
There is a discussion of this on this episode of the podcast "The Midwives Cauldron"

pca.st/episode/da3cab74-7cc6-4d41-98f6-216f9d3ddcb0

If both parents are RHd neg, there is absolutely no way the baby can be a positive blood group.

The just in case the hospital is talking about is the hospital saying they don't know 100% who the father is.

Your midwife will probably discuss this with you at a later date, it’s one of the things they test your blood for. They test it even in subsequent pregnancies. I haven’t needed it but I understand they give an injection if you have a knock to the bump or a fall as well as routine injections if you are negative.

Aw thanks so much for all the info guys!

Hi OP in case you're interested in researching the details around this Dr Sara Wickham has some great blogs and resources on her to website about it.

You can now have a none invasive blood test about 16 weeks I think mine was and then if baby is positive you get one at 28 weeks and one after birth. They tell you to come in aswell for one if you have any bumps to your stomach after 28 weeks

Yip A- here, AntiD injections in my 1st pregnancy (didn't need 1 after as my son was negative too) and booked in for AntiD @ 28 weeks this pregnancy too x

Yeah you'll need the anti D if you're Rh-

If you know for a fact that dad is also Rh- then you can refuse. The hospital will put up a fight though because 'we can't believe you're telling the truth about parentage ' but apart from a bit of a snarl about it they can't force you.

With my first I had it at 28 weeks but she was Rh- so didn't need the 2nd injection. Pregnant with my second and they now have a blood test available that can determine if your baby is Rh +/-. This baby is Rh+ so booked in next week at 28 weeks for the first anti-d injection x

I had anti-D 3 times in my pregnancy due to various bleeds as well at the normal 28 weeks - it's especially important to go contact the hospital if you have any bleeds during pregnancy and are rhesus negative as they will want to give anti-D to you just in case
I actually found out my baby's blood type when they did the NIPT test at 16 weeks - she was positive so I definitely needed the anti-D!

Oh wow I'm glad nobody told me how big the injection is!!! Bloody hell 🙈🙈🙈

Got the call I'm A negative so went in to have it due to the bleeding from cervical erosion. Not looking forward to have that again! But at least I know baby is protected.

Just a bit more information, I think it's interesting

The anti-d will not protect your first Rh+ baby; that baby will be fine regardless. It will protect your second Rh+ baby in the event of your blood having been exposed to the first baby's Rh+ blood. This might lead (probably will lead) to your body creating antibodies which will then attack the subsequent Rh+ baby.

So anti D is the only medication given that does not benefit the recipient (mother) or even the current baby. It potentially protects the hypothetical second/subsequent Rh+ baby . So interesting

Hi OP, my blood type is negative and as PP has said, you might well be offered the non-invasive testing where they take your blood juat like any old blood test and magically find out the baby's blood type from it :) It's quite new tech and seems amazing to me!

Then if baby is also negative you don't need any more anti-D injections - both my babies were also negative but that's pretty unusual!

It's because DH is also negative BUT my midwives have always STAUNCHLY refused to take that as a reason not to test/inject... I must give off very "loose" vibes :) because I just always get the raised eyebrow and some stats about how many children fail paternity tests and that they're not taking my word for it that DH is in fact the dad...

Best of luck with the pregnancy and hope everything goes smoothly for you from here on.

Both DH and I have negative blood types and at the discussion around the anti-D jab DH piped up saying he was also negative. He produced his blood donation card which the midwife photocopied and stuck on my file. I was delighted to avoid a jab, but it didn't stop them bringing it up at all my appointments after. And I mean Every. Single. Appointment

I suppose there are some women who do need the opportunity to say "Eh yes I think I will take it after all", so I didn't get too annoyed about it.