rhesus negative when are blood tests taken

[gingerninja]

I'm currently 22 weeks prg with DC2 and am Rh neg and DH is RH Pos. I seem to remember having loads of blood test when pregnant the first time around but I haven't even seen my MW since I was 14 weeks and I'm not due to see her again until 28 weeks. Shouldn't I be having tests around this stage?

I think i only had bloods taken twice with dd2 (at the begginning and again around 25 weeks), have you had any anti-d injections? i think they offer them to you during pregnancy now (with dd1 you only got one if you bled).

Thanks Marne, so it sounds about right then. Had anti D after birth of DD so I'm guessing I should be fine. The level of care is very different this time around, I feel like I've hardly seen anyone.

Hi, I saw a consultant on Friday & was told bloods won't be checked again just for me being RH neg but that anti D injections will automatically given at my 28&34 week appointments. Hope this helps

MissyK im the same as - im having anti D at 28 weeks and 34 and then straight after babys born depending on babys blood group. Not looking forward to the injection but would rather have it than not. Im not very good with needles

Hi all, I'm Rh- and had the anti D injections at 28 and 35 weeks. They aren't too bad, but I said to the midwife "look at the SIZE of that needle" - she told me not to look at it then!

OP, as they already know your blood type from last time, maybe that's why they aren't testing just yet?

I actually got them to test DH as he didn't know his blood type and he's Rh+. I was considering not having the antiD until birth or if there was any trauma. It is not compulsory, don't forget. They can't force you to have anything, they can only recommend. Do a bit of research on it for yourself.
In the end, like Due1stMay09 I decided I'd rather have it than not. As I said, it's not too bad! Just think it can't be anywhere near as bad as the birth itself! You probably won't even notice the antiD with everything else that's going on at the time!

It seems to change every 6 months. DS1 I had anti-D at 14 and 28 weeks and again after he was born, DS2 I had none, and with this one I had it at 28 weeks, would have it if I banged my belly, or if I bled (but didn't get it when I bled earlier in the pregnancy) and I think I'll get it again when he is born.

Mmm, didn't know they were planning to actually give me the anti D while pregnant. Not sure about that. Will have to think about it. Thanks everyone

Hi Ginger,
I'm also RH- and DH is RH+, I'm pregnant with DC2. You will only get anti-D if your DC1 was RH+.
For what it's worth, my health authority don't give anti-D during pregnancy at all . However in reality, all it means is that I get my bloods checked every fortnight to ensure the levels of antibodies in my blood aren't building up - and they're not.

When I asked about getting DH tested, my midwife grinned and said "that's ok as long as you're sure MrPookamoo is the dad!"

For the record, yes, I am sure!

I got my blood tested (am expecting my 1st DC) at my 20 week appointment and very quickly afterwards I received an appointment to come in for anti-D at 28 weeks. I am RH- and my DH is RH+. I have been told the standard thing now is to give in at 28 weeks and birth in my area, though I assume that if the baby's also RH- they won't bother.

I would guess that there is no reason to do the bloods again this time as you're already known to be RH-. So the issue is really whether they have automatically put you down for anti-D or not.

I would be wary about refusing it with a second pregnancy as the info I had said it is more likely to be a problem second time around, because some antibodies will be released after your first labour so the 2nd DC is more likely then to provoke a reaction, IYSWIM. In your shoes I would ring them and ask if you need to be booked in for an anti-D appointment at 28 weeks - though it is your choice, of course. The needle is bigger than average but you can look away and it is done quickly. No big deal.

I think i had two lots of blood tests when i was preg with DS1. This time i've had blood tests at 16 weeks, 28 weeks and 36 weeks. In my maternity notes it says you should have them done at 34 weeks aswel, but midwife never sent me for them. I had anti-D at 28weeks aswel. Last pregnancy i didnt have anti-D til after the birth.