1. Prevent Rh Incompatibility With a RhoGAM Shot
Women who have the Rh-negative blood type must be aware of the possibility of Rh incompatibility in pregnancy. Rh incompatibility occurs when a pregnant woman with the Rh-negative blood type has a fetus with Rh-positive blood. If any blood cells from the fetus migrate into the blood stream of the mother, the mother's body can produce antibodies that can then attack the fetus's blood. This can cause severe anemia and other complications in the newborn baby, known as Rh disease or hemolytic disease.
In the United States, doctors try to prevent the occurrence of complications due to a possible Rh incompatibility by administering a RhoGAM shot to all Rh-negative mothers during week 28 of pregnancy. The RhoGAM shot, containing Rh-immune globulin, prevents the mother from making Rh antibodies that can harm her fetus by eliminating the fetus's blood cells from her blood stream. A pregnant woman with Rh-negative blood may also receive the RhoGAM shot at other points during her pregnancy, depending on the specific situation.
2. Protect Future Babies With RhoGAM After Delivery
After an Rh-negative mother gives birth, doctors will determine the blood type and Rh factor of her newborn baby. If the newborn has Rh-positive blood, the mother will then usually receive another RhoGAM injection within the first 72 hours after delivery. This injection will help destroy any of the baby's Rh-positive blood cells that entered the mother's bloodstream during delivery and stop the mother from making any Rh antibodies. This injection is very important, because if the mother wishes to have any subsequent children, it will help protect those future children from Rh disease due to a possible Rh incompatibility.
3. Monitor Mommy for Rh Antibodies
If during the course of an Rh-negative woman's pregnancy, her doctor discovers through routine blood tests that she has already developed Rh antibodies, the course of treatment and plan of attack will differ. In these instances, doctors will monitor the pregnant woman's blood carefully throughout her pregnancy to monitor the development of Rh antibodies. The doctor will also look at the fetus using ultrasound for any signs of anemia or Rh disease. If the baby's blood appears compromised, the doctor may give the fetus a blood transfusion (called an exchange transfusion) of Rh-negative blood. This will help prevent any subsequent destruction of the fetus's red blood cells and limit further complications in the fetus.
