Rhesus Negative Blood Group And Pregnancy

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Matron Ben
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Rhesus Negative Blood Group And Pregnancy

Unread post by Matron Ben »

l want to use this medium to briefly enlighten us about the so call "Negative Blood group" and the fears expressed by most ladies about pregnancy.

"Negative blood group" is also known as Rhesus Negative blood group. It is a type of blood grouping system based on the presence or otherwise of a factor in blood known as RHESUS FACTOR. Those who have this factor present in their blood are said to be RHESUS POSITIVE while those people without it are said to be RHESUS NEGATIVE.

Another type of blood grouping system is the ABO system where someone could have blood group A, B, AB or O. (note that these are the common types). So if one has this factor in their blood then the blood group is A, B, AB or O rhesus postive and if absent it becomes A, B, AB or O negative.


Many people believe that having rhesus negative blood group signifies a bad omen especially when it comes to pregnancy and delivery... this is NOT true as it is as normal a blood group as other blood groups. People with rhesus negative blood, especially ladies are NOT advised to receive positive blood for transfusion. This is because the positive blood they received will cause their blood to produce what we call ANTIBODIES against the rhesus factor. These antibodies will not harm the receiver (receipient) at this first time but will cause a serious reaction when the person is exposed to a positive blood another time.

Similar thing happens in pregnancy. If a lady with a negative blood group marries a man with a positive blood group, the chances are that any of their children could have a positive blood group inherited from the father. If the first baby in the womb has a positive blood group, there could be some mixing of small amount of blood between the negative mother and the positive baby. This baby's blood(which contains the rhesus factor) which has crossed into the mother's blood will cause the mother's system to recognise these factors as foreign bodies and then produce antibodies to destroy them. But before these antibodies are fully active to work the baby would have been delivered without any problem. However, if the second baby happens to have positive blood again like the first one, the antibodies already produced and waiting in the mother will then cross through the placenta (the organ that connects the baby and mother) and start attacking the baby's blood destroying them leading to so many problems like: jaundice in the baby in the womb, blood shortage (anaemia) in the baby, heart failure in the baby, body swelling (known as hydrops fetalis) and even death.

DO NOT BE AFRAID as this is no longer the case as science has developed an antedote to this. To avoid this,
1. Know your husband's blood group (if he is negative no problem).
2.If he is positive then start antenatal clinic on time so that your doctor will do some tests looking for those antibodies.
3.Make plans with your husband to buy this antedote known as rhesus isoimmunogpobulin (Rhogam) because it is relatively expensive.
4.Your pregnancy does not carry any extra risk because you will be treated like every other pregnant mother unless if there is any problem detected along the line which may not be related to your blood group.
5.Also be informed that your baby's blood will be collected at delivery for some tests which will include the blood group, blood level, presence or otherwise of jaundice, and presence or otherwise of these antibodies.

By and large "negative blood group" is not a crime neither is it a punishment from any diety, it is just one of those types of blood group. Fear NOT for with RHOGAM you can conquer your fears...Shalom!
Stellaadigan
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Re: Rhesus Negative Blood Group And Pregnancy

Unread post by Stellaadigan »

Up vehicles have been created for the comfort of the people. Likewise, all the in information has been suggested for the use
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Kunle Emmanuel
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Re: Rhesus Negative Blood Group And Pregnancy

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

Blood group awareness

If a woman is Rhesus negative-her blood group has a negative sign, O- and she gets pregnant for a man who is Rh positive O+

It could mean problems for future pregnancies
If a woman is Rh-negative and her baby is Rh-positive, the woman’s body and cells will approach the Rh-positive protein as foreign

This means that if blood cells from your baby cross your bloodstream, which can happen during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, or during an abortion.

Your immune system will make antibodies against your baby’s blood cells, your antibodies protect you from foreign bodies including infections

Once you have made these antibodies we say you are "sensitized"

Your body might send these antibodies to attack your baby's blood cells.

When your antibodies attack your baby’s red blood cells, it destroys them, leading to hemolysis

When your baby’s healthy red blood cells are destroyed, bilirubin will build up in their bloodstream

Bilirubin in excess is harmful to the baby especially the brain
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Kunle Emmanuel
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Re: Rhesus Negative Blood Group And Pregnancy

Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »

The baby who is affected by this, would usually have:

Jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes
May be limp: because of the low muscle tone
May not suckle well
Blood levels will be low
The baby could die shortly after birth, if the effects are massive

Who does this concern the most?

It concerns any woman who is Rh-negative and is having a child with someone who is Rh-positive or unknown

So she may have been pregnant in the past, but seeing these symptoms when she's having children now

It takes time for your body to develop antibodies, so firstborn children usually aren’t affected.

However, if a mother became sensitized because of a miscarriage or abortion in the past,
Her first live birth may be affected by this Rhesus incompatibility.

This condition can be prevented. If you think you may be pregnant and have an Rh-negative blood type, you should Talk with your doctor to determine the best plan.

Or you have been pregnant before with someone's whose blood group you're not sure of, speak to your doctor

You'll be given preventive immune globulins that will mop up your antibodies, this ensures that your unborn babies are not affected by this condition.

Always know your blood group!
Always know your partners blood group.

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