Rh Incompatibility: Prevention
Rh incompatibility is a condition that occurs during pregnancy if a woman has Rh-negative blood and her baby has Rh-positive blood. “Rh-negative” and “Rh-positive” refer to whether your blood has Rh factor. Rh factor is a protein on red blood cells.
Part of: Rh Incompatibility
About Rh Incompatibility Prevention
Rh incompatibility can be prevented with Rh immune globulin, as long as the medicine is given at the correct times. Once you have formed Rh antibodies, the medicine will no longer help.
Thus, a woman who has Rh-negative blood must be treated with Rh immune globulin during and after each pregnancy or after any other event that allows her blood to mix with Rh-positive blood.
Early prenatal care also can help prevent some of the problems linked to Rh incompatibility. For example, your doctor can find out early whether you’re at risk for the condition.
If you’re at risk, your doctor can closely monitor your pregnancy. He or she will watch for signs of hemolytic anemia in your baby and provided treatment as needed.
Living With Rh Incompatibility
If you have Rh-negative blood, injections of Rh immune globulin can reduce your risk of Rh incompatibility in future pregnancies. It’s important to get… Read more about Rh Incompatibility: Prevention