Any experiences with D negative blood type?

[Mlove12]

I’ve recently got my blood results back from first midwife apt (I’m 10 weeks +2 now) and have received a letter saying I need extra tests and that I might need a transfusion/ injection if my baby is D positive as my blood will be attacking my baby’s red blood cells!

Of course that’s not a nice thought at all and it’s made me anxious, especially since we took so long to conceive.

Has anyone had any experiences currently or historically they could share?

Hope your all well x

[JustJane1234]

Hey! I'm also rhesus negative and will need anti D injections at some point as my partner is rhesus positive. It's super common and the anti D injections are all you need to protect the baby (and any future babies). So nothing to worry about - they probably just make it sound scary in the letter because otherwise some women might think it's not a big deal and not bother with the injections xx

[Mlove12 in reply to JustJane1234]

Oh that’s so much for reassuring me! I got myself in a right state earlier, they deffo make it sound worse than what it actually is. Hope your well and everything is ok x

[Seb9]

Hi I'm ‐0 blood type and had my anti D injection with my first baby, they give you an injection of anti D at 28 weeks, just after birth and if you have any bleeds during the pregnancy. This was before they also tested babies blood.

Anti D stops rhesus disease from being a problem. It's been round for years and mum had it with me over 40 years ago, so it's a really routine part of pregnancy now.

With my second they had started typing baby too to see if you'd need the anti D injection. My second baby is -0 like me so we never needed the injections. Hopefully if you and baby match blood you won't need the injection.

[Mlove12 in reply to Seb9]

Thank you for sharing your experience, im so pleased I’ve received a couple of replies to put my mind at ease as I was super worried! Glad everything is good with you x

[Winterbaby23]

Congratulations on baby!

I’m also rh negative and have had the initial anxiety and panic over what it means. I’m 15+6 and I have a blood test next week to determine babies blood type. All it means, if this is your first pregnancy , you’ll be offered anti D injections at 28 weeks (possible 34 aswell) and at birth to stop your blood making the antibodies that attack the baby’s. You’ll have a blood test at around 16 weeks to determine baby’s blood type. If baby is negative too you won’t need any injections, if baby is positive then you will. If this is your second + pregnancy then that’s when the possibility of transfusions come into play but it’s not usually needed.

Main advice I’ve been given is to be careful of any knocks like falling over or falling down stairs, and watch for any bleeding as that’s a sign that you might become sensitised to baby’s blood, the you’ll have to go get the anti D injection just to make sure.

Try not to worry too much, this forum helped put my mind at ease a lot reading how other people have had the same experience and gone on to have healthy babies.

Hope that helps

[Mlove12 in reply to Winterbaby23]

Definitely helps thank you so much for sharing your experience! I was in thag anxiety bubble yesterday but feel so much better after having replies to this post. Glad your all well x

[DreamingOfTwo79]

Hello Mlove12, just like the other ladies said, it is not usually something to worry about as the Anti-D injections should protect you from becoming sensitised in case your baby is rhesus positive. I am rhesus negative and have a rhesus positive son, where I was given injections at 28 weeks and after delivery. I have since fallen pregnant four times where the pregnancies sadly ended in miscarriages. For my last one I was offered an Anti-D injection as I needed a D&C to remove placental tissue that had remained in my uterus. The midwives will test in any subsequent pregnancies if you have become sensitised and there would be extra monitoring for you and baby in that case and a specific care plan but this is very rare these days. I am currently 10w+3 with my fifth pregnancy since having my son and am awaiting my booking appointment with the midwives where they should check my status, I can relate to feeling a little nervous! Wishing you all the best for a smooth pregnancy! X