Pregnancy and Maternal Health Care
RH negative factor in pregnancy
Author: Ann Brown
During childbirth, or during an abortion, the passage of a baby whose blood is Rh positive factor to an Rh negative mother makes it generate antibodies against Rh positive blood, the same way that occurs, for example, antibodies against certain viruses.
In a subsequent pregnancy if the baby is positive again, the antibodies produced previously and circulating in maternal blood, attack the baby’s red blood cells, destroying them and producing a syndrome that can be severe and even determining death in utero.
To prevent these disadvantages there is a vaccine. This is a specific hyperimmune gamma globulin, of which there are several brands on the market. They can only be used under prescription and medical indication.
Generally apply two doses of hyperimmune gamma globulin. The first, during the 28th week of pregnancy, although at that stage of gestation is not known if the baby is positive or negative factor, and the second dose within 72 hours after birth, in case the baby is RH positive. This avoids the generation of antibodies to RH by the mother. Therefore, if a future pregnancy, the baby is RH positive, it will affect you. Currently, some obstetricians choose to apply a single dose parto.El after blood contact can also occur via a drive puncture (amniocentesis), and / or during an ectopic pregnancy, so the obstetrician will assess the need for the vaccine in these situations.
In the case of a baby born with a negative RH factor need not apply the vaccine and that the mother will produce antibodies to have the same blood factor your child.
During pregnancy, women are subjected to RH negative blood a study called direct Coombs test which serves to detect antibodies that attack the red blood cells in circulation.
In which case where both parents have Rh negative, the baby will inherit the same factor to them.
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