RH SENSITIZATION DURING PREGNANCY

Overview and Facts

Rh sensitization during pregnancy happens when you are Rh-negative and pregnant with a growing fetus with Rh-positive blood. In most circumstances, your blood will not interact with your baby’s blood until birth. Because it requires time to produce antibodies that might harm the baby, it is unlikely to be harmed during your first pregnancy.

However, if you become pregnant again with an Rh-positive baby, the antibodies in your blood may assault the fetus’s red blood cells. This might result in jaundice, anemia, or other significant complications for the infant, which is known as Rh disease. 

Types and Symptoms

SYMPTOMS

You will not experience any odd symptoms whether you are currently Rh-sensitized or have developed Rh-sensitization during pregnancy. In addition, a baby with severe Rh illness may move less often than it did early in the pregnancy. 

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

During an initial prenatal checkup, all pregnant women will undergo a blood test. This test will determine whether you have Rh-negative blood and Rh-sensitized.

When you have Rh-negative blood but aren’t sensitized:

  • A blood testing that will be performed around weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy. 
  • At delivery, your baby will be given a blood test. If the infant has Rh-positive blood, antibody testing will be performed.

If you are Rh-sensitized, your physician will closely monitor your pregnancy. You might undergo:

  • Blood tests. This is performed regularly to determine the number of antibodies in your blood.
  • Doppler ultrasonography. It is used to examine blood circulation in the baby’s brain. This might reveal the severity of anemia.
  • Amniocentesis. This is performed following 15 weeks of delivery to assess the baby’s blood type and Rh factor and to search for any issues.

TREATMENT

You will be tested regularly to assess how your baby is doing when you are Rh-sensitive. You might also have to consult a specialist in high-risk pregnancy.

  • The fetus’s medication is determined by the severity of the red blood cell loss (anemia).
  • If the baby’s anemia is minor, you will just be subjected to additional monitoring than normal while pregnant. 
  • If the anemia worsens, it may be best to deliver the baby early since several babies require a blood transfusion or therapy for jaundice after birth.
  • A newborn may get a blood transfusion while still in the womb if they have serious anemia. This may help the baby stay healthy until they are ready to be born. 

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