Rhesus Negative

I am rhesus negative too, all I had to have was the injection after birth (anti D) plus I had a couple during my pregnancy , one due to bleeding and the other after my CVS. I knew I was RH neg already so I informed my doctor then my OB.

And no, I wasn't aware of any changes!

I'm rh- and DH is rh+

I had to have anti d when daniel was born because he is rh+ and I had to have it again for my 2 miscarriages as they didn't know what bubs blood type would have been of course.

The reason I asked is that last night my midwife rang me to say that because I am rh neg I would need to make a decision about an anti d injection when I saw her today. Now this was the first I knew about my blood type being rh neg and during the conversation I had no idea what she was talking about, especially when she started saying that the protocol had changed and I was her first rh neg patient since. Well after a sleepless night this is what I understood from my visit today... (Was extremely pi**ed off last night that she hadn't told me earlier)

That midwives are now being encouraged to give all rh neg women anti d at both 28 and 36 weeks as a precaution even if bloods show they have not produced any antibodies. The impression I got is that generally midwives believe this is not necessary. She has to inform us of this but the decision is ours.

Hope that makes sense as this is all new to me. 24 hours ago I hadn't even heard of rh neg!

I am Rh- , with baby #1 - I didn't have an anti D as he was RH- too, then #2 she was Rh- too but with #3 I had it twice - 1 when I had an ecv (to turn baby who was breeched - didn't work but just incase some blood from baby did happen and if he was Rh+ they gave me an Anti d) then #3 born and he was Rh+ so I had to have an anti d as well.

reason for anti d is if you are - and baby is + and any + blood got left inside - your next pregnancy your body might think the baby is a foriegn thing and start attacking it - ending in MC.... (I think that makes sense) hence for the anti d.

Note: anti d is a blood product so thats why you have to think about it and give writen permission (signing a form)

Personal choice for me is I wouldn't have the 28 and 36 week cause I have had 3 kids without having it and they were all fine - even having a + baby - and I have never had a MC (and hope never to)

Im Rh- and had a bleed when i was about 30weeks. never got an injection though, i also had a fall a couple weeks before then and still no injection.

I think however my MW said i would just get an injection after baby is born and to be a little more cautious about bumping my tummy throughout my pregnancy.

I didnt know the anti-d thing was a blood product .

You had it in the bum? Ouch! I had mine in the thigh.

Yup, it's a blood product. Made from the plasma. It's all screened and tested, so the plasma is "clean".

From what I've since read, it seems that 28 and 34 week injections is common practice overseas.

We've got an article on the Rhesus factor here. It hasn't been updated yet to reflect the new protocols, but as MamaPickles said it is common practise in many overseas countries for women to be given the anti D as a precautionary measure and certain stages during their pregnancy.

It is a decision you have to make carefully, and being well-informed can help you make that decision. Anti D is a blood product made from plasma so you need to weigh up the risks and benefits associated with that. Your midwife should be able to give you a leaflet from NZ Blood giving you the facts about anti D to help you make that decision.

im terrified of needles!!i dnt know what to do i would rather be safe but im so scared!i almost cried when i had my blook test

I just thought I'd update with this from our OHbaby! obstetrician, Dr Anil Sharma:

What I do is discuss with Rh - women at 28 and 32-34 weeks offer them anti-d injections as a routine, even if they have not had any bleeding or sensitisation events. The intramuscular injection reduces the likelihood of 'silent' sensitisation from 1/100 to 1/300.

Hope this helps.