This archive report was first published on 6 May 2020.
Rhesus Factor and Pregnancy: What You Need to Know ¶
When it comes to pregnancy, couples often face various problems, including fertility and pregnancy issues. However, one of the lesser-known complications that can arise during pregnancy is Rhesus incompatibility.
According to the NIH, Rhesus incompatibility occurs when a woman has Rh-negative blood and her baby has Rh-positive blood.
Dr. Daisy Aluso, a medical practitioner at Bungoma County Referral Hospital, explains that if a pregnant woman is RhD negative and her partner is RhD positive, there is a chance that the baby could be RhD positive. This can cause the mother's body to react to the baby's blood by creating antibodies against the baby's Rh-positive blood.
However, Dr. Aluso notes that the new antibodies formed by the mother do not normally result in complications during the very pregnancy as the baby is often born before many antibodies develop. However, they may cause problems in subsequent pregnancies with Rh-positive babies.
Dr. Aluso adds that if the woman has another pregnancy with an Rh-positive baby, her immune response will be greater and she may produce a lot more antibodies. These antibodies can cross the placenta and destroy the baby's blood cells leading to a condition called Rhesus disease or Hemolytic disease of the newborn.
Dr. Aluso emphasizes that it is essential for couples to test their compatibility before having children. She advises that all women are expected to be tested during their antenatal screening to determine whether their blood is Rh-negative or positive. However, for the fetus, to determine whether they are Rh-positive, they get tested after birth, or the umbilical blood is tested.
She further clarifies that anti-D shots do not help if the mother already developed anti-D antibodies from a sensitizing event in a previous pregnancy. The anti-D antibodies stay in the mother's system for life.
Dr. Aluso advises that Rh-negative mothers are given anti-D for all pregnancies and are advised to deliver in a health facility, preferably one with a newborn unit, so that the newborn can be monitored for any complications post-delivery.
Ultimately, Rhesus disease is preventable, and it is essential that all mothers attend antenatal clinic so that during screening they can be advised accordingly. Couples are advised to know their blood types before committing to having children.
