Question about Rh factor

[spargel]

The first time I saw the OB, she asked me what my blood type was. When I told her O+, she said I didn't have to worry about Rh factor issues. Is it really that simple - it's just based on your blood type? Everything I see online talks about getting an Rh factor test but nothing to indicate that it's nothing more than a regular bloodtype test.

[Earthy Mama]

You only need to worry about it if you are -. And then, there is nothing to worry about really. I'm A- and am cooking my third.

[MaerynPearl]

As was just explained its the fact that you are + that you do not have to worry about.

Though being - is a bit of a risk, it is only a risk if something were to happen such as a placental abruption where baby's blood starts to mix with yours.

And it does not matter what blood type baby has, just what blood type you have.

[Twinklefae]

It matters what blood type you have, if you are - there is the potential for problems. But it also matters what blood type your baby's father is, as if he is - there is no problem.

I am O- and my DH is O-. No problem. Though some places will not take your word for it, or will not believe that you know who the father is.

[2goingon2]

Originally Posted by Twinklefae

It matters what blood type you have, if you are - there is the potential for problems. But it also matters what blood type your baby's father is, as if he is - there is no problem.

I am O- and my DH is O-. No problem. Though some places will not take your word for it, or will not believe that you know who the father is.

Very true. I am A- as is my ex husband so I was okay. My husband is O+ so I have had to have the Rhogam shots.

[soso-lynn]

Originally Posted by spargel

Everything I see online talks about getting an Rh factor test but nothing to indicate that it's nothing more than a regular bloodtype test.

The + or - at the end of your blood type is your RH factor.

[MacKinnon]

Just a blood test! Although sometimes things can get more complicated. I test A+, so with my DD I did not have Rhogham, but then I donated a kidney to my Dad and upon further analysis, it turns out I am so weakly A+ that I should be considered A-, essentially I'm A neutral. This can occur because RH factors are on a scale, or gradiant, so some people are "more" negative or positive than others. So, I explain all this and ended up getting Rhogham with my DS. Then, this pregnancy they tested me again and at some point I was exposed to negative blood and developed an antigen called the Duffy Factor, so I'm now A+ with the Duffy Factor and no longer need to worry about this "weakly positive" thing.

So, yeah, for most people it's just a blood type screen

[spargel]

thanks for putting my mind at ease - looks like I'm good to go!

[Kelly1101]

Yep, you're fine.

I'm B-, and my husband has a + and my first daughter has a +, so I got the Rhogam with her and I'm doing Rhogam again with this one.

[hollytheteacher]

Originally Posted by Kelly1101

Yep, you're fine.

I'm B-, and my husband has a + and my first daughter has a +, so I got the Rhogam with her and I'm doing Rhogam again with this one.

Me too (except I have a ds) I'm B- and DH is A+ so i had to get it.

[Bethusila]

I guess this is more common than I thought. I'm A- and DH is B+ so I will be getting the Rhogam shots as well. I had no clue what the Rh factor actually was (even though I'd heard of it) and I didn't realize having a negative blood type was an uncommon as it is.

[WifeofAnt]

I'm A+ and hubby is O-. Our child could be type A or O, positive or negative. Since I'm positive though I won't have any Rh incompatibility problems.

This might help explain it: http://mistupid.com/health/bloodinherit.htm
Only couples who are both negative are guaranteed to have a child who is also negative. If a negative mother and positive father have a child the child can still be negative but its easier to assume the baby is positive and give the Rhogam shot.

If you are negative and you have a baby who is positive he/she *may* be fine if you don't have any bleeding but its riskier to second and subsequent children because you can develop an intolerance to their Rh factor.



ADD: Retraction... see post below for correction on ABO incompatibility and jaundice.

[Family4Christ]

Seriously?? So, I've gotten 3 rhogam shots for nothing? GRRRRR. My hubby and I are both negative, but no one has ever asked his type; they just said since I'm negative, I had to have rhogam. DH is O- and I think I'm AB-.

So, do docs/MWs not know about this or what is the deal? My lay midwife told me I needed it and never questioned DH's BT.

[jeminijad]

Originally Posted by Family4Christ

Seriously?? So, I've gotten 3 rhogam shots for nothing? GRRRRR. My hubby and I are both negative, but no one has ever asked his type; they just said since I'm negative, I had to have rhogam. DH is O- and I think I'm AB-.

So, do docs/MWs not know about this or what is the deal? My lay midwife told me I needed it and never questioned DH's BT.

That seems to be standard practice- not to trust that you know the father's blood type reliably, or that he is for certain the father, and to give the shot to all Rh- women.

[moonjunio]

I had the doc test my husband to make sure I needed the shot. As far as whether he's the father, there is no way they can force you to accept a shot that you know you don't need :-)

With this peg, my blood was tested again for antibodies to make sure my first peg and birth didn't create any problems. (yes I did get rhogam shots periodically with #1). I tested O--, the second neg is for antibodies. negative for antibodies is good for the fetus, and means I can wait till the normal 24 weeks to get my first shot.

Can someone explain the jaundice risk further? I am O- and my daughter is B+, she did get jaundice. Is this because she was high-risk, or "just because"? What does the O have to do with it?

[moonjunio]

Oh one more thing. It does matter what blood type baby has. If they are negative, then there's no way you'll be exposed to positive blood and develop antibodies. The antibodies are the dangerous thing, they can attack the fetus. However, you can't test baby's blood type as far as I know, so you won't know whether the shots were "necessary" until after they are born.

Therefore Rhogam is a vital precaution if you are neg and baby's father is pos. You'll also need a shot within a certain time frame after delivery (or any preg outcome) in order to protect any future fetuses.

A recent Rhogam shot can give you a false positive for antibodies in a blood test, FYI. This happened on my blood panels after getting preg shortly after a miscarriage. It took months to disappear from my results.

[blizzard_babe]

Originally Posted by jeminijad

That seems to be standard practice- not to trust that you know the father's blood type reliably, or that he is for certain the father, and to give the shot to all Rh- women.

Yup, our OB (who is kinda funny and a pretty honest guy) said that in many places, hospital policy is to offer/give it to ALL Rh- women because, "the lawyers won't let us trust you to tell the truth about who the baby's REAL father is. Heck, they probably don't trust you to KNOW who the father is."

[moonjunio]

Doesn't it just drive you crazy when you find out about these sweeping policies that result in unnecessary procedures, because they think patients aren't smart enough to make a good decision?

Like Hep B shots for newborns because they are accessible rather than because they all need it, or Vitamin K shots because they think moms won't follow through on oral supplements... I suppose thoughtful, informed care would be too much of a hassle!

[WifeofAnt]

Originally Posted by moonjunio

Can someone explain the jaundice risk further? I am O- and my daughter is B+, she did get jaundice. Is this because she was high-risk, or "just because"? What does the O have to do with it?

The main one to worry about (I had it backwards in my last post ) is when the mother is type O. People less than type AB will eventually develop antibodies to A and/or B. Since type O women don't have either antigen they can develop antibodies to both A and B.

1/5th of all pregnancies will have an ABO incompatibility, when the baby has an antigen the mother doesn't have. Antibodies to these antigens are usually too 'big' to make their way through the placenta (type IgM). Occasionally women will also develop A and B antibodies in the IgG form which can and do cross the placenta. Fortunately less than 5% of pregnancies with ABO incompatibility develop complications (jaundice or anemia) because of it and most of them happen at birth when they're already under close supervision.

[shoefairy3]

I'm O- and I've alway gotten the Rhogam, except after baby #3 b/c she is also -