The rhesus condition of pregnant women can actually affect the condition of pregnancy and even the safety of the fetus. Especially if you and your partner have different types of rhesus. You need to be aware of this to prevent things that can harm the fetus.
Rhesus or rhesus factor is the level of a special protein or D antigen on the surface of red blood cells. However, not everyone has this protein on the surface of their red blood cells.
A person who has the D antigen on red blood cells, means he is declared to have positive rhesus (Rh +). Meanwhile, if a person does not have this protein, it means he is declared to have a negative rhesus (Rh-).
Rhesus positive is considered more common, because the owner of this condition is more than the owner of rhesus negative. However, if you are rhesus negative, it doesn't mean it can have a negative impact on your health and body condition.
Are there any special conditions to watch out for?
In pregnancy, one of the things that need to be considered is the type of rhesus you and your partner have. Rhesus examination can usually be known through a blood test called the Coombs test.
If the results of the examination show that you and your partner's rhesus are different, this has the potential to have an impact on the health of the fetus. Here is the explanation:
- Mother is rhesus positive and father is rhesus positive, the condition of the fetus must be rhesus positive no problem
- Mother is rhesus negative and father is rhesus negative, the condition of the fetus must be rhesus negative no problem
- Mother is rhesus positive and father is rhesus negative, the condition of the fetus can be rhesus positive or negative no problem
- Mother is rhesus negative and father is rhesus positive, the condition of the fetus can be rhesus positive or negative there may be problems
What Are the Problems of Rhesus Differences in Pregnancy?
Rhesus differences between pregnant women and fetuses can cause a reaction called rhesus incompatibility. This condition can occur if the pregnant mother is rhesus negative and the fetus is rhesus positive.
The rhesus difference can cause the pregnant woman's body to produce antibodies that can damage the fetus' red blood cells and endanger her health. Fortunately, the formation of these antibodies usually does not occur much in the first pregnancy. However, the case is different when you are pregnant with your second child and so on.
At that time, antibodies have started to form and can attack the red blood cells of the fetus with a different rhesus. In some cases, babies born with rhesus incompatibility conditions can experience various health problems, such as jaundice and anemia.
Rhesus differences between mother and fetus are also often difficult to detect because they are asymptomatic. Therefore, the best way to find out if your rhesus is compatible with the fetus is to do a blood test as early as possible to the doctor.
If there is a rhesus difference, your condition and that of your fetus should always be monitored by a doctor. Treatment steps will also be given since the beginning of the pregnancy.
What if the Body Already Forms Antibodies?
To prevent the formation of an incompatibility reaction between the mother's rhesus and the fetus, it is necessary to treat it in the form of anti-D injections or immunoglobulin injections.
It should be noted that the antibodies that have already formed and attack the red blood cells of the fetus can pose a risk of ectopic pregnancy or even miscarriage.
Anti-D injection is only to prevent the formation of antibodies and protect fetal red blood cells, not to eliminate these antibodies. These antibodies will remain for the rest of your life.
Furthermore, the doctor will continue to monitor the development of the fetus with the aim of anticipating the occurrence of blood disorders due to rhesus incompatibility. If a blood disorder is detected, such as anemia, the fetus needs to be given a blood transfusion.
Alternatively, the fetus should receive immediate care shortly after birth. In this condition, the birth of the baby must be accelerated by Caesarean section.
Therefore, it is recommended that you consult a doctor first to find out the rhesus status of you and your partner, especially before planning a pregnancy. Especially if you and your partner are from different races. This is done to monitor the health of you and your child in the future.