The Rh factor is a special antigen found in the blood. If an Rh-negative woman becomes pregnant by an Rh-positive man, she may have some problems. Your immune system makes antibodies against certain foreign substances (called antigens) that would normally be harmful to your body. An Rh-negative mother who becomes pregnant with an Rh-positive baby produces antibodies against her baby’s Rh-positive cells. In the next pregnancy, these antibodies can destroy your baby’s red blood cells and cause serious problems for your baby.To reduce this risk, a drug called RhoGAM should be given to Rh-negative pregnant women at 28 weeks of pregnancy and immediately after birth. This medicine prevents the mother’s body from recognizing Rh-positive cells in the Rh-positive baby. These injections make Rh-positive pregnancies safe for Rh-negative women. If you have Rh-negative blood, it is very important to tell your doctor about any bleeding during your pregnancy, while reminding him or her that you are Rh-negative. Depending on your situation, RhoGAM injections may be recommended if necessary.
