Rhesus Negative Injections

[guyshahar]

Hi

My wife is rhesus negative, and this is her first pregnancy.

The midwife told us that there was an option to have an injection to prevent any reaction in the case of a mixing of blood between the fetus and my wife, and that this would also help be beneficial if there is a second pregnancy at a later date.

The midwife told us that there were 2 options : to have the injection pre-emptively, or to have it if and when a mix of blood occurs. However, she was unable to explain the advantages of each approach, saying only that in the past most people had the injection if a mix occurred, and now most people have it pre-emptively.

Could anyone explain to us what the consequences of each option would be?

Thank you.

Not getting anti-D will not have been a problem as you did not develop antibodies. Babies get jaundiced for other reasons too, so don't worry.

Here the midwife offered to check DPs blood group as I'm -ve. He is +ve but after discussions with the midwive I decided not to have the injection until after birth if the baby was +ve or if I had any trauma. They were quite happy and supportive of that.

That's good leftangle - that is the way it should be. Where abouts in the country are you?

When I was having my dd2, who has just turned 5, these guidelines had just come out. When I went along to the hospital I told them that my dh was RH- but they said I would have to have the injections anyway. I asked them if they would test him to prove it and they wouldn't as he might not be the father of my child!
In the end he went to the nurse at our local surgery and asked for a blood test, explained what it was for and they were fine with it. It came back O- same as me.
So I had it written in my notes that I didn't need any anti-d and nobody mentioned it again.

I think it's worth your while getting a blood test, even privately, if you don't know your blood type just to check that way your wife can avoid any unecessary injections. It doesn't matter if your wives DR thinks this is wrong, your wife is the patient and the NICE guidelines do state that if the Father's blood type is known to be negative Anti-d is not needed. Your wife may not need to have these injections.

I am RH neg and DH is pos. I get the injections at 28 weeks and after birth. HOWEVER... I also have gotten the injection whenever I have spotted and when I had my amnio (in any incidences when your blood can mix with babys'). The injections are good for approx 15 weeks.

here is the NICE guidelines on routine prophylaxis for Rh negative women.

www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/TA156Guidance.pdf

Guyshahar - I would DEMAND a blood test, go to a different GP in the practice, take it up with the practice manager, anything...you have every right to know so that you and your wife can make an informed choice.

guyshahar: Just saw this, it might be of some help to you if you haven't got anything sorted yet.

www.valuemed.co.uk/acatalog/Blood_Group_Test_.html