To all rhesus negative women – A Must Rea

Emmi_ wrote: Anti D doesnt last forever.. which is why you have two during pregnancy and another after birth (if baby is positive). As much as I hate needles, I would rather a healthy, term baby and take the small risk with getting a blood product than forming anti bodies. But it is a personal decision, and only you can make the right choice for you and your family.

Yip, it only lasts approx 6 weeks I think, which is why they were going to be offering it at 28 and 34 weeks.

I had a silent bleed, sometime between 28 & 36 weeks with #3....thats how I ended up with anti-D antibodies.

I am STILL battling to get some sort of help with the injections at 28 & 32 weeks.

My midwife asked me to get DH to check with his GP to see if they have his blood type on file, they don't. I told her this and said that she could just give him the form to get his blood type checked which she hasn't done. She said she will look into getting the injections done twice now (I saw her last week expecting answers). Grrr! She then went on to tell me about a lady that had just brown spotting and it was lucky she was on call to get the anti-d organised as this lady's actual midwife only did it for bright red blood (great!) - she had already started building up antibodies.... Ummm yeah so what happens if it is a silent bleed?!!!

I will keep on her toes!

Bumping

Back to the top we go

I got my anti-d at 28 weeks and have the next one at 34 weeks. I had to go see a specialist about my pelvis being fractured a few years ago so she told my mw to organise it... apparently it will be routine one day but she sends everyone for anti-d if they are negative - doesn't matter if your partner hasn't been tested it is more likely they are positive.

I am due on 21 December and have just had more blood tests at 38 weeks to check up on my antibody levels. My blood tests at 5 weeks pregnant in 2nd pregnancy (this one) indicated that I had developed the antibodies but only at a 1/1 titre. I had regular blood tests initially and the antibodies disappeared. But got a call today after my 38 week bloods to say that the antibodies have returned and are now at a titre of 1/16. I have been asked to return for more blood tests in 2 days and if levels have increased any I may be induced which doesn't seem too bad as I will be over 39 weeks by then anyway. Just nervous as to the affect these antibodies may be having on my unborn baby. Would rather get induced if the risk of any complications is lessened. By the way, I had Anti D injection after giving birth to my darling daughter but not during the pregnancy!!

bumping for the new year :)

bump

niquey wrote: I had the anti-d injection after having my first baby as she was rh positive (I wasn't aware that we could get them through the pregnancy). I've just found out that I'm pregnant with my 2nd, and assuming I still don't have the antibodies, does this mean I should get the shots through this pregnancy as well? Thanks, it's all a bit confusing (baby brain anyone?)

Congrats on being pregnant again!
As you are Rh- your MW should get your blood checked for antibodies.
Ask her about having the anti-D injections at 28 & 32 weeks as some DHB's aren't doing this as normal pregnancy care (it has been awhile since I was last pregnant so not sure on any progress in that regard)

You can opt not to have them, but as not all bleeds are visible (as in my case) it is best if you do....if the jabs had been offered at 28 & 32 wks when I was preg's with #3 I might not have the anti-bodies now as I had a silent bleed (not visible on the outside).

Thats so cool Sophie! When I was pregnant with my 2nd I couldnt get my mw to give it to me prophylacticlly, so thats really interesting! (and Im in Wellington)