Anti D Needle

I am due for my Anti D needle in two weeks, and then another one at 32 weeks, does anyone know exactly how this needle works?

I am 0-, so that is the reason I need it.

Is anyone else having it?

[JoyLynn]

Never heard of it. What is it?


Joy [welcomewave]

You have it if you are rhesus negative because apparently if the mothers blood crosses with the baby's and the baby's blood is positive the mothers antibodies will kill the baby. It's quite common, however I would love to know how the needle actually fixes the problem.

[JoyLynn]

Ohhhhh... now I know what you're talking about. I bet Leslie would know. She was a RN for babies, I think.


Joy [welcomewave]

[AmyB]

If we are thinking of the same test, it is called an Rh test here in the states. When I've had mine, they've just drawn blood and sent it off to the lab.

[meg]

I'm rh neg. too, and dh is rh positive. We're both O's. Both boys are 0 positive.

From memory, I had an injection after my first pregnancy, and then just a check with the others, to make sure I wasn't developing the antibodies.

Sorry, but I can't really remember much more about it. I just remember that the tests came back fine, I wasn't developing the antibodies.

Maybe one of our resident nurses will know more :D

[AmyB]

Oops, I thought you were just getting tested for it. I've never been treated for it, so I haven't a clue.

Yeah I am not quite sure why I am been given it again, I stated in my initial notes to my Obst that I had had an anti d needle with the twins and I did assume this would be the last, I guess he feels differently on the issue, or the hospital has a different policy.

My big sis had the same needle after having her baby too.

mmmm LESLIE - are you out there? A little help LOL!!!

[NZMummy]

Yes, this is to do with the Rh-factor. I am Rh-negative, so I have read up a bit on it. If a Rh-negative mother carries a Rh-positive child (the father would have to be Rh-positive for this to happen) there is a risk that the mother can start to form Rh-antibodies. This is more likely during birth, but occasionally happens in late pregnancy. It can cause anaemia, and sometimes death, for a Rh-positive baby in a subsequent pregnancy. In NZ they give the anti-D injection after the birth of the Rh-positive baby (within 48 hours I think), but giving anti-D during pregnancy is another method that can be used. The injection gets rid of any Rh-antibodies that may have formed - so that the mothers antibodies do not attack a subsequent Rh-positive fetus. This injection would be necessary after every Rh-positive baby.

I was never given an Anti D jab. So I must be Rh positive...
Abby was given the Vitamin K jab and that's all.

Sorry I don't know anything about it...