RH incapatibility

I haven't seen this topic covered and have a question so opened a forum.  My guy friend's wife is pregnant w/no insurance.  I've been encouraging her to go to the health dept. but she is just planning to not go to the doctor's at all.  I really think she should but I can't make her so I try to give her all the advice I can.  I know his blood type is Positive and her's is negative.  I believe that is what causes RH Incapatibility.  Does any one know the symptoms, treatment, or result's if untreated?

[cmn]

I have the RH incapatibily, i was told that i need to get a shot before the baby is born and after birth. The reason for this is so you don't get antiboties to possitive blood, otherwise when you go to have another child and you haven't gotten the shot your blood fights the possitive blood. Your blood thinks that the possitive blood is a forigne object, therefore fighting it off and killing the embryo that is trying to be conceived. I believe that's how it works, hope this helps. You can also go to google and type in RH blood

[baby mac]

The blood type is an issue but That is not the RH factor. The Rh factor is carried on your RBC's and you have it or you don't.

It usually doesn't afffect the 1st child unless there is placenta previa/abruptio or mixing of the blood. The second child is affected because if the mom is RH negative- her body builds antibodies. The condition is erythroblastosis fetalis. The babies body and blood is attacked and destroyed. They can give Rhogam for this and it is best given before childbirth. The health department will supply this.

Hope this help.

Baby mac

[qw]

I posted to you on Saturday's open forum , but didn't know if you seen it because it was late.

[Niki73]

If this is her first pregnancy she will not need a shot of rhogam until after the baby is delivered- I think it's within 48 hours of delivery. If this is not her first pregnancy and that counts miscarriages and abortions then she needs a shot of rhogam at 28weeks and then again after the baby is delivered. They say the chances are slim but there is always a chance of the baby's blood mixing with the mom's and the mom's will attack the baby thinking it's something foreign in her body. I am Rh- and my husband is Rh+ so I have to have the shots....I hope this helps...I actually go in next week for my shot!

[Angel4JohnnyB]

Okay, all.....I am sooooooo not understanding this one.

I am A+ and dh is A-

We are fine right????
Like I said, I'm not understanding the whole Rh factor........Is the Rh what makes you + or -???

Geezzzzz......and I'm a phlebotomist.......LOL
But all I was trained to do was draw and transport the blood!!!!

I did go to google but still didn't understand what they were talking about.......does someone have a link that will explain?????
Thanks,
Vikki

[sm8]

This is her second child that I know of.  She has a 2 yr old living but is by a different father.  She absolutely refuses to go to a doctor or the health dept.  She doesn't wan't to be pregnant right now and I gues in her head if she doesn't do anything that makes it real it won't be.

[Niki73]

First to answer Angel4JohnnyB question - yes the Rh facter is the + or - sign. Yes you should be fine because you the mother is + now if you were the one that was - then you would need the shot. sm8 she is going to need to see a docter it's not safe for her or the baby not too. This being her second child she will need the rhogam shot twice once at 28weeks and then again after she delivers. I told you 48 hours after delivery but it is 72hours sorry. I do think though if the baby's factor turns out to be negative just like hers she may not need the shot after delivery....depending on the babies factor but she will need one at 28weeks...I do hope she decides to see a doctor.....

[sm8]

If i can't convince her to see a doctor do you know what the side effects could be for the baby.  I know this sounds bad but I don't care what happens to her it's her stupidity for not going to the doctor's.  I have a emmotional connection to the father which makes me so worried about the baby.  We've been good friends for 9 years.

[Niki73]

I understand...the statics say that if the mother is rh negative and the father is rh positive that the chances of the baby being positive is 70% which means it's a good chance. The blood shouldn't mix with the babies until delivery unless she has complications during the pregnancy...What I think will happen as long as she has a normal pregnancy no complications is that the baby she is carrying right now should be okay it's the next baby she becomes pregnant with that may have problems because her body has built up antibodies to fight the babies red blood cells. Which can cause severe jandice, brain damage, miscarriage or still birth. They say if the blood passes the placenta during delivery the baby should be fine. So I think the only thing you need to worry about is something going wrong with her pregnancy where her blood mixes with the babies...car accident, tear in the placenta but in all of those cases she would have to be admitted to a hospital anyway and they will test her! But make sure your guy friend knows if she doesn't get this shot and he has another baby with her there's a good chance of problems but then again if she delivers in a hospital they will give her the shot!She's taking a big chance on everything going normal which is sad because the baby doesn't deserve this or your friend. Maybe by the time she gets to 28weeks she will change her mind? I hope this helped...

[Angel4JohnnyB]

Thank you, your answer for my question was just great......I actually understand now!!!!!! LOL

[Niki73]

I know it's confussing and if it wasn't for me having to have the shots I wouldn't even know that much about it! But I worry about the pregnancy so much that of course I read up on it. Glad I could help....Now see if my husband was negative like yours we wouldn't have to worry about it!!!

[cmn]

This is my first pregnancy, and my Dr is still giving me the rhogam shot. I did read that you need it in your second and not first pregnancies, but i'm glad that she's taking precautions and giving it to me now.