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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

rhesus negative

45 replies

Lolalu09 · 20/08/2022 11:21

Hi guys,

I hope there is someone who can help me out.

I have recently found out I am Rhesus negative. I found out when I was around 17 weeks. Only a week ago.

I have had two knocks (very small) to my belly. Called midwife and was told to go straight to the hospital even if it is a small light knock. Any knock or fall I have to go right in.

I was wondering if there is anyone on here with the same condition? I have recently told my work I am pregnant but now have to tell them about this condition and what tops it off is that I am a teacher and I am always being knocked or hugged by a child. Kneeling down etc. Has anyone experienced this before?

Thank you.

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Passthetena · 20/08/2022 11:24

It's just your blood type rather than a co dictionary, definitely no need to inform your work but if you get a knock you'll just need a quick jab to help stop production of antibodies. They can also test baby to see if they're positive or negative (if they're also negative then no need for any jabs) but not all trusts offer it yet. I'm negative and full term with my second now so please don't worry about it too much. Congratulations!

dementedpixie · 20/08/2022 11:24

Its major bumps or falls that could cause issues. You will get anti-d injections later on in pregnancy too. I am also rh- and got an extra injection after a fall outside.

CassandraBarrett · 20/08/2022 11:25

Is your partner/baby's father also rhesus negative? If so, baby will also be Rh- so no prob.
Read up on this on the internet, it's not a condition where googling is scary, don't worry!
The "danger" is that a knock could lead to a bleed. This blood could mix with the baby's blood and your body would make antigens against Rhesus positive blood.
This will not affect your current baby but might possibly affect a future Rh+ baby.
The midwife was being over cautious by telling you to go to hospital.
Hugging/bump from a child will not harm you or the baby or cause a bleed

CassandraBarrett · 20/08/2022 11:25

Is your partner/baby's father also rhesus negative? If so, baby will also be Rh- so no prob.
Read up on this on the internet, it's not a condition where googling is scary, don't worry!
The "danger" is that a knock could lead to a bleed. This blood could mix with the baby's blood and your body would make antigens against Rhesus positive blood.
This will not affect your current baby but might possibly affect a future Rh+ baby.
The midwife was being over cautious by telling you to go to hospital.
Hugging/bump from a child will not harm you or the baby or cause a bleed

Weefreetiffany · 20/08/2022 11:25

It’s only an issue if your partner is rhesus positive

CassandraBarrett · 20/08/2022 11:26

Sorry for the double post 🙈

liveforsummer · 20/08/2022 11:28

It's not a condition it's just your blood type. I'm negative and exp positive but we didn't know that at the time, only once dc were born as their blood type is positive . I was working with horses during my pregnancy and forever getting bumped and knocked. No one ever told me it was a problem and it wasn't. At some stage I had an anti d injection

Marvellousmadness · 20/08/2022 11:30

Its not a "condition " op.
Its just a blood type
And the knocks is not like anything tiny. Just a good bump or a knee to the belly or something.

blibbyblobb · 20/08/2022 11:31

Thanks for asking this question OP, im a bit confused about this and i am O-, in my first pregnancy and this one ive realised they never asked my husbands blood group.. He is A+... I also was not aware about reporting any bumps/falls (thankfully not had any yet).. I think i need to mention it at my 16 week appt

Hugasauras · 20/08/2022 11:34

Yes it's just blood type and totally normal! I'm RH-. I've never knocked my bump hard enough to need to go in during either pregnancy - it would have to be a fair old whack I imagine not just a little bump against something.

dementedpixie · 20/08/2022 11:34

@blibbyblobb it will get picked up that you are rh- and you will likely be offered anti-d injections as standard later in pregnancy. Not everyone knows their blood group so it might not be a question they ask about the father.

Hugasauras · 20/08/2022 11:36

And yes kneeling down and being hugged are absolutely not a risk! It means big knocks that would cause some bleeding inside, not just bumping against stuff. You'll never be out of there otherwise!

GiltEdges · 20/08/2022 11:36

blibbyblobb · 20/08/2022 11:31

Thanks for asking this question OP, im a bit confused about this and i am O-, in my first pregnancy and this one ive realised they never asked my husbands blood group.. He is A+... I also was not aware about reporting any bumps/falls (thankfully not had any yet).. I think i need to mention it at my 16 week appt

Your husbands blood type isn’t directly relevant, you would still be offered exactly the same treatment based on your own blood type. Though in reality, you wouldn’t need anti D if your DH was also Rh-.

Tomatopasta · 20/08/2022 11:43

Hi,

I am rhesus negative, and have had two children.

I was also given the same advice regarding the knocks. I don’t think kneeling down or hugging children will a problem.

I’m not sure what area you’re in, but I was offered a blood test to find out the blood type of the baby? Your negative blood type will only be an issue if the baby’s blood type is positive but I believe they can check that now. Both my kids are positive.

startfresh · 20/08/2022 11:51

Didn't know about every knock, thought it was just if you bled! That's even more difficult.
As mentioned, it's not a condition, it's a blood type (and a super one, in terms of donation - not so much in pregnancy!!) have your got baby's blood type test back? Should have done it about 14-16weeks check up with midwife?
I was lucky that I both my babies came back negative, however I needed it with my MMC just in case as you don't want to develop the antibodies for future pregnancies.

TruffleShuffles · 20/08/2022 11:56

I don’t know if it’s just my trust that offer this but when I had the letter back from my booking bloods about being rhesus negative it said I could ask my midwife for a bloods form for my husband so he could find out his blood type. I already new he was rhesus negative but if it’s an option for you it might be worth finding out to stop you worrying about each knock.

TruffleShuffles · 20/08/2022 11:58

GiltEdges · 20/08/2022 11:36

Your husbands blood type isn’t directly relevant, you would still be offered exactly the same treatment based on your own blood type. Though in reality, you wouldn’t need anti D if your DH was also Rh-.

Show quote history

Not sure this is the case anymore as I was given the information that if my husband was rhesus negative I didn’t need any anti d injections. I did have to show written confirmation of his blood type though.

Terriblethirtytwos · 20/08/2022 12:01

In case you don’t know this OP you also need to go and get an injection if you have any vaginal bleeding during your pregnancy. Nothing to be scared about just usually a long wait at triage.

Livingmagicallyagain · 20/08/2022 12:04

It's not a problem or a condition. You'll simply be offered anti-d should you fall, and likely after the birth. I'm rhesus negative, four kids, never a bother. You certainly don't need to disclosed it to work. Especially as your antenatal appointments are an automatic right.

Which country are you in? Where I am they test fetal rhesus factor early on. But either was it's a non issue.

enjoy your pregnancy! This is no cause for concern!

Tomselleckhaskindeyes · 20/08/2022 12:04

It's ok if your baby is also negative it's just if your baby is positive. You need to have an injection to stop antibodies building up and once the baby is born to protect future babies (who might be positive) It's nothing to worry about if you get the correct treatment.

GiltEdges · 20/08/2022 12:15

TruffleShuffles · 20/08/2022 11:58

Not sure this is the case anymore as I was given the information that if my husband was rhesus negative I didn’t need any anti d injections. I did have to show written confirmation of his blood type though.

Show quote history

It may depend on the area. In this area, everyone is still offered anti D.

GiltEdges · 20/08/2022 12:15

**unless the blood type of the baby is definitely known.

BurnDownTheDiscoHangTheDJ · 20/08/2022 12:27

GiltEdges · 20/08/2022 12:15

**unless the blood type of the baby is definitely known.

In our area (a london trust) all Rh- are offered anti d because they used to go on what the mums said about the dad, but there were a not unsubstantial amount of cases where the mums swore their baby couldn't be positive as the dad was negative and then out popped a positive baby! So now they just do every negative mother for safety. Source: sister is a midwife and it came up in their training.

Weefreetiffany · 20/08/2022 18:01

@BurnDownTheDiscoHangTheDJ I heard this too. Always feels a bit insulting though, like women are either too daft or slaggy or duplicitous to know who the father really is. Doesn’t sit right with me! Especially as obstetrics seems to be so misogynistic already.

Jaaxe · 20/08/2022 18:47

I’m rhesus negative too, it’s just your blood group, nothing to worry about. It’s just if you experience a fall or have a substantial bump to you that could cause bleeding you need to go hospital to get an anti d injection. I’ve had 3 pregnancies and pregnant again, so far never caused me any issues you just need a jab at 28 weeks and another after birth if baby is also positive x