How does blood type impact pregnancy? What if I have an abortion or miscarriage? Why would I need to know my blood type?
Whether you carry the pregnancy to term, decide to have an abortion, or experience a miscarriage for any reason, your blood type – specifically whether it is positive or negative – can have a serious impact on future pregnancy.
You need to know whether you are Rh positive or Rh negative.
What is the Rh Factor?
The Rh Factor is a protein found on the surface of red blood cells. If your blood cells have the protein, you are Rh positive. If they do not, you are Rh negative. It is not something you can control, it’s something you inherit from your biological parents.
A mother and baby can have different blood types because they have completely separate circulatory systems. Some of the most common blood types are:
- A positive
- A negative
- B positive
- B negative
- O positive
- O negative
It’s important to know your Rh Factor if you become pregnant. If the mother’s blood type is negative and the baby’s blood type is positive, this is referred to as Rh incompatibility. If untreated, this condition can lead to complications, especially for future pregnancies.
Is Rh incompatibility dangerous?
During pregnancy, the mother’s blood does not normally mix with the baby’s until delivery. When the blood of an Rh positive fetus gets into the bloodstream of an Rh negative mother, the mother’s body recognizes that the Rh positive blood is not hers. Her body will try to destroy it by making anti-Rh antibodies.
These antibodies can cross the placenta and attack the baby’s blood cells. This can lead to serious health problems, even death, for a fetus or newborn baby.
The Rh factor is not normally a problem during first pregnancies because the mother’s body hasn’t had time to build up antibodies. But if a woman doesn’t get preventative treatment, her future pregnancy(s) could be at risk.
Can blood type impact pregnancy if I have an abortion or miscarriage?
Yes. If a woman is Rh negative, her body will also make antibodies after a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or abortion. If she becomes pregnant in the future and has not received treatment, a future fetus could be at risk of problems. This is one way an abortion can affect future pregnancies.
How can I prevent Rh Factor complications?
If you become pregnant, your doctor will test you to find out whether you are Rh negative. If you are Rh positive, nothing needs to be done.
Pregnant patients who are Rh negative are given a medication called Rh immunoglobulin (RhIg) to prevent antibodies from developing. The medicine works by blocking the mother’s immune response and preventing her body from making harmful antibodies.
Why should I visit Jewel Women’s Center?
Jewel Women’s Center is designed to help women facing an unplanned pregnancy. We offer no-cost pregnancy options consultations and a variety of other services. Our medical team can give you information about the Rh Factor and help connect you with a doctor as well as other resources. Contact us today to schedule a visit.