Anti-D injections are given to the mother with the aim of preventing that from happening. But in later pregnancies, these antibodies can negatively affect the development of a baby that is Rh positive. It can also happen during pregnancy, either without any outside influence or as a result of testing such as an amniotic fluid test (amniocentesis).Īnti-D antibodies don’t usually harm the baby if it is the woman’s first pregnancy. That can happen if some of the baby's blood mixes with the mother’s blood – for instance, following minor injuries to the placenta or umbilical cord during birth. That shouldn’t be a problem because their blood will be compatible.īut if a woman who is Rh negative is expecting a baby who is Rh positive, the mother’s blood might produce anti-D antibodies against the baby’s rhesus factor. If a pregnant woman is Rh positive, that won't cause any health problems – regardless of whether the baby is Rh negative or Rh positive.Ībout half of all pregnant women who are Rh negative are expecting a baby who is also Rh negative. In Europe, this is roughly 15% of the population. Someone who lacks it is “Rh negative” (rhesus negative). Most people have it, and are then said to be “Rh positive” (rhesus positive). It is also referred to as the RhD antigen. The rhesus factor D (RhD), a protein found on the surface of the red blood cells, determines whether the mother’s blood and the baby’s blood will be compatible. If they have different blood group characteristics, it may cause problems. It indicates whether the blood of two different people is compatible when mixed – such as the blood of a mother and her baby at birth. The rhesus factor is an important characteristic of blood cells. This prenatal test is not expected to have any drawbacks. That can help to decide whether it makes sense to give Rh-negative women an anti-D injection. A new blood test can be used to determine the rhesus (Rh) factor of an unborn baby during pregnancy.
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