Don't worry about the Rh Factor during pregnancy! Let's find out exactly what it is (Rh Factor)

Among the many blood tests you get when you first become pregnant, you may have come across the term 'Rh factor'. But many people don't have a clear idea of ​​what it really is and why it's so important. It's especially important to be aware of this if your blood type is ' Rh negative '. So today, let's talk about it simply and clearly, without any fear or doubt.

Let's first see, what is this Rh Factor?

Simply put, the Rh factor is a special protein that may or may not be present on the surface of our red blood cells. Think of our red blood cells as little balls. Some people have this protein stuck to their balls. Others don't.

If you have this protein in your blood, you are Rh positive . The majority of the world's population, about 85%, is Rh positive. If you don't have this protein in your blood, you are Rh negative . This is not a disease or a defect. It is just something we inherit from our parents.

Why is this test important during pregnancy?

When you find out you're pregnant, one of the first tests your doctor will do is an Rh factor test. This is just a routine blood test, so it won't harm you or your baby. The results of this test will determine what to do next.

Let's look at this table to understand this clearly.

The problem that arises when an Rh negative mother has an Rh positive baby (Rh Incompatibility)

Here's what really happens. If you are Rh negative, but your husband is Rh positive, there is a chance that the baby you are going to have will be Rh positive. This is when we talk about a condition called 'Rh Incompatibility'.

Simply put, when an Rh negative mother has an Rh positive baby in her womb, if the mother's and the baby's blood mix in any way, the mother's body recognizes the baby's red blood cells as an 'enemy'. It then starts making antibodies to fight against that 'enemy'. This is what we call 'Rh sensitization' .

But don't be afraid here. Usually, this won't cause much harm to the first baby. Because the mother's and baby's blood is most likely to mix during childbirth. That means antibodies start to form after the baby is born.

But, the problem arises during the next pregnancy. Once your body has developed these antibodies, they are there forever. The next time you carry an Rh positive baby in your womb, those previously developed antibodies start attacking the new baby's red blood cells in the womb. This can cause the baby to develop a condition called 'Rh disease' . In this condition, the baby's red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can make them. This is also called hemolytic anemia . This can be very dangerous for the baby, and can even be life-threatening.

What are the chances that the mother's and baby's blood can mix?

This often happens during childbirth, but it can also happen at other times.

• When performing tests such as amniocentesis (a test in which a small amount of the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby in the womb is taken with a syringe) or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) (a test in which a small piece of the placenta is taken).
• If you experience vaginal bleeding during pregnancy.
• If you have an accident or a severe blow to the stomach during pregnancy.
• When the baby is in a breech position , the doctor grabs the baby's abdomen and tries to turn the baby.
• If a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy , or abortion occurs.

Don't worry, there is a very effective solution to this!

You may be scared when you hear these things. But there is really no reason to be afraid. Because with the advancement of medical science, there is now a very simple and effective solution to this.

If your doctor determines that you are Rh negative and your baby is Rh positive, he or she will give you a shot called Rh Immunoglobulin (RhIG) around 28 weeks of your pregnancy. This shot completely prevents your body from making those dangerous antibodies.

Even after the baby is born, if the baby's blood type is Rh positive, you will be given another shot within 72 hours. If you become pregnant again, you should get this shot at that time as well. This is a very safe and very effective method.

What if you have already developed antibodies?

Very rarely, perhaps because you didn't get the RhIG vaccine in a previous pregnancy, your body may already have Rh antibodies. If that's the case, the RhIG vaccine won't help. But don't worry. If that's the case, your doctor will be monitoring you and your baby closely. Some babies need a blood transfusion after birth. Very rarely, blood is given while you're still in the womb.

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