Rh Incompatibility
Rh incompatibility occurs during pregnancy when an Rh-negative mother carries an Rh-positive fetus, potentially leading to an immune response that requires medical management.
Understanding Rh Factor
Blood types are categorized by substances on blood cells and an Rh factor protein. If you have the protein, you are Rh-positive; if you do not, you are Rh-negative. While being Rh-negative does not affect your personal health, it can impact a fetus during pregnancy.
What is Rh Incompatibility?
Rh incompatibility occurs when an Rh-negative mother is pregnant with an Rh-positive fetus. If fetal blood enters the mother's bloodstream—often during childbirth—the mother's body may create antibodies to attack the fetus's red blood cells as foreign substances.
These antibodies usually do not affect a first pregnancy but can cross the placenta in subsequent pregnancies, potentially causing Rh disease, a condition that can lead to severe anemia.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Providers typically order blood tests during the first trimester to check for Rh factor and the presence of antibodies.
- During pregnancy: Injections of Rh immune globulin can prevent the mother's body from creating Rh antibodies.
- After delivery: If the baby is Rh-positive, the mother receives another injection of Rh immune globulin. No treatment is needed if the baby is Rh-negative.
- For the baby: If treatment is required, it may include phototherapy for jaundice, supplements to aid red blood cell production, or, in severe cases, a blood transfusion.
Prevention
Early prenatal care and timely medical intervention are the most effective ways to prevent complications associated with Rh incompatibility.