RH Factor-Cause Miscarriages? Should we check?

[shuga1109]

Can anyone give me information on RH factor?  I tried reading on it, but its a bit confusing.  My blood type is O+, but I don't know my fiance's.  He doesn't know himself.  We miscarried in March, but I was told to check our RH Factors.  We have been trying since and we are having trouble.  Anyone have any info on this?  Is this something we need to check on?  

[pgplanner]

Another scenario to be aware of is if you (Mom to be) are RH negative and using a donor egg...then you need to know the blood type of the egg donor.   I am RH negative...the egg donor is RH positive.    After my first IVF, I had a miscarriage.  After the miscarriage, the clinic gave me a shot of Rhogam to prevent any problems for any future pregnancies.   I guess I will have to get the Rhogam shot sometime during this pregnancy and after delivery, which should clear up any problems.  

[shuga1109]

This is why I love you guys!  Thank you so much.  I now have a better understanding. I guess this is something I really don't have to worry about then.  Thank goodness.  I have enough on my plate with having trouble conceiving.  Thanks again.

[Whereto]

Totally agree with the last 2 posts. I am O-Neg and my understanding is it is only a concern if you have a neg blood group. Everytime I have given bith or had an amnio or CVS where it is poss the two blood groups may interact I have had to have an "AntiD" shot. You start to feel like a bit of a pin cushion after a while!

[KarenDiane]

Yep, what they said. I'm RH- and I had to get a shot of rhogam to insure that if the baby was RH+, my body wouldn't make antibodies to attack the baby if our blood mingled. My hubby is also RH- but they made me get the shot anyway. I guess too many women have lied about paternity :(  Since you are RH+. this should not be an issue for you.

[chinesebones]

If you are O+, you don't need to worry about RH factor no matter what your fiance's blood type is.  (The "+" means RH positive.)  Like adgal said, the only problem is when the mother is RH negative and the father is RH positive.  If the baby inherits the RH positive gene from the father, and the mother is exposed to fetal blood during miscarriage/ a bleeding episode/ delivery, her body can develop antibodies to the RH positive factor that can attack the blood of future RH positive babies.  If, like you, the mother is already positive, it is not a concern.

[adgal]

My info may not be entirely correct, but I will do the best I can.  Most people are RH positive I believe.  If the mother is RH negative, and the baby RH positive, the mother's body can sort of treat the baby like an infection.  I am not certain how your fiance factors into it..sorry.  I do know though that testing mothers RH is pretty typical in early pregnancy, and there is a shot they can give you to help prevent the rejection.  

Someone please correct me if I do not have all my facts straight...it has been a very long time since this was explained to me.  

I am sorry for your loss, and wish you well.