Rh Sensitization During Pregnancy - Prevention
SYMPTOMS & TREATMENTS
If you are Rh-negative and pregnant
If you are an Rh-negative woman and you have conceived with an Rh-negative partner, you are not at risk of Rh sensitization during pregnancy. (Most health professionals treat all Rh-negative pregnant women as though the father might be Rh-positive.)
If you are already sensitized to the Rh factor, your pregnancy will need to be closely monitored to prevent fetal harm. For more information on fetal and newborn treatment, see the Treatment Overview section of this topic.
If you are unsensitized Rh-negative, treatment focuses on preventing Rh sensitization during pregnancy and childbirth. Rh immune globulin (such as RhoGAM) is a highly effective treatment for preventing sensitization.
- To prevent sensitization from occurring latein the pregnancy or during delivery, you must have a shot of Rh immune globulinaround week 28 of your pregnancy. This treatment prevents your immune systemfrom makingantibodies against your fetus's Rh-positive red bloodcells.
- Rh immune globulin injection is also necessary if you havehad any vaginal bleeding or an obstetric procedure such asamniocentesis orexternal cephalic version.
- If your newbornis Rh-positive, you are given Rh immune globulin again within 72 hours ofdelivery. By preventing Rh sensitization from delivery, you are protecting yournext Rh-positive fetus.
- If your newborn is Rh-negative, sensitization cannot happen,and no treatment is necessary.
Rh immune globulin is also necessary after a miscarriage, partial molar pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, or abortion.
| Author: | Sandy Jocoy, RN | Last Updated: October 22, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine William Gilbert, MD - Perinatology | |
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