A rhesus negative - anti-D worries - can anyone help?

[darkbuthappyplace]

At my 16 week check up with the midwife I was told that I'm A Rhesus Negative which means i'll need to have anti-D injection at about 28 weeks.

That all sounded fine and wasn't worried until I read up on it and been on some forums. This is my first pregnancy, however, I did have a miscarriage previously. Is there any way this could mean i have already built up antibodies from the miscarried pregnancy?

Has this ever happened to anyone else?

I'm worrying now, waiting to hear back from my midwife. xx

[Star241]

hey that is a good question. I am also rhesus negative, however apparently if you get the NIPT test you can see if you actually need it. I think from what i read it is generally from any trauma to the body that may cause antibodies to be produced xx

[darkbuthappyplace in reply to Star241]

Thanks for the quick reply. I did get the NIPT test but the report has no detail on it. Can they tell the baby's blood type from the NIPT test? Or if you has the antibodies? xx

[Star241 in reply to darkbuthappyplace]

oh really I thought that it did or that’s what the midwife said to me so that’s surprising

[DreamingOfTwo79]

Hello, I am sorry you went through the pain of losing a baby, and many congratulations on your pregnancy! I am also rh negative and I am currently pregnant for the 6th time (1 living child, 4 miscarriages since having my rh positive son). When I was pregnant with my son, at 16w they did the Fetal DNA test (they just take some blood from you) to determine whether my son was rh positive (very likely as everyone on Dad's side is rh positive). The results came back as likely so they offered me Anti-D at 28 weeks, this protection against your body starting to produce antibodies in the event of some of the baby's blood having entered your blood stream and you becoming sensitised will last for about 12 weeks and should see you through to the end of your pregnancy. They tend to give you the first Anti-D injection only at 28 weeks as it is more likely you might experience knocks to the bump once you show more. If, however, you experience any bleeding from your vagina earlier than 28 weeks you should immediately report to your nearest A&E or MDAU (if over 18 weeks) so they can give you the Anti-D injection. Any bleeding is considered a potentially sensitising event. After delivery they tend to test a sample from the placenta to determine baby's blood group and rh factor and if baby is indeed rh positive you will be given another Anti-D injection.

For subsequent pregnancies and I'm pretty sure even with your first ongoing one they tend to include an antibodies test as part of your 10 week bloods or earlier depending when your booking appointment is. This will tell them if you have become sensitised at any point in your life. You could also have become sensitised if you've had a blood transfusion at any point in your life (it is assumed that antibodies will remain in your system indefinitely).

I sadly miscarried four times prior to this current pregnancy but I was only offered Anti-D at my last one because I needed a D&C to remove some remaining placental tissue. I did ask for Anti-D at the EPU with my previous miscarriages as well, however as my body had expelled the pregnancy completely and I was earlier than 12 weeks they didn't feel this was necessary. The risk of baby's blood entering your blood stream via the placenta is much increased after 12 weeks when the placenta is fully developed.

I would ask your midwife to confirm the results of the antibodies test to you. If you have Badger Notes you may also be able to see the results on the app seeing you're now 16 weeks along. If for whatever reason no antibodies test had been done yet, I would request one for peace of mind. The midwife may say to wait until they have an indication of whether baby is rh positive once the FDNA results are back but if you are worried it is really worth pushing for the antibodies test. All the best to you X

[Weareback2]

I am Rheus negative... same as what dreamingofnumbet2 said. YOu get a jag at 28 weeks. A wee tip.... wiggle your toes. It takes the distraction away from the sting. I am pregnant with number 2 (had miscarriage so 3 pregnancy 1 child andcurrently and pregnant) again with second baby jag at 28 weeks. Can't remember if there is one after or not. All the best z

[Hidden]

Hey, I had the same worry after miscarriage but all was fine. Got anti D at the usual intervals and no problem. All the best going forward.x

[Jumpppy]

As others mention - the issue is if you are RH negative and fetuses are RH positive. Do you know what your OH is? May allay concerns...My friend who is RH negative received RhoGAM injection after each miscarriage to prevent future issues - if they didn't do this for you, you may want to mention it? They can always give you the jab earlier (i.e. now) and at 28wks - to be safe.

Good luck!