Re: RH Negative blood type (edited)

Rh negative blood is less common than Rh positive blood. It is independent of A, B, or O type.

When a woman is Rh negative, there is always chance that she could become "sensitized" during pregnancy if the father of that pregnancy is Rh positive. Following exposure to the "positive" factor in the fetal blood supply, (inherited from the father), the woman's immune system may respond by producing antibodies to the positive blood factor. Exposure can occur with both full-term pregnancy or pregnancy loss (miscarriage). There are usually no significant clinical symptoms during the pregnancy in which the woman becomes sensitized. The problems may arise during subsequent pregnancy. Some women become sensitized easily, some have multiple pregnancies were the possibility of sensitization exists, but it never happens. It is not possible to predict who will become sensitized and with which pregnancy.

In decades gone by, Rh sensitization was a significant cause of pregnancy loss, illness in infants, and even infant death. Rh positive children born to Rh sensitized mothers can have very serious jaundice and sometimes required full blood volume transfusions shortly after birth. Rh sensitization in women of childbearing age is very rare today, due to Rhogam, (ie "the shot"). This is concentrated immunoglobulin that "fools" the mother's immune system so that it does not produce antibodies to the Rh positive factor. Rhogam is needed following miscarriage, after invasive procedures such as amniocentesis, at around 28 weeks of pregnancy, and again following the birth (if baby is Rh positive).

That said, the current program of routine administration of Rhogam to *all* Rh negative women *all* the time is not without problems. Misinformation such as the original poster described, that she would die if she did not accept the shot abounds. Health care providers who do not understand the purpose of the shot or who do not want to take the time to explain why the treatment is needed are certainly not providing good care. Some women who need the shot following miscarriage are missed. Women who have only ever been pregnant by a male who is also Rh negative would not need the shot (there is no positive blood factor in the mix for the fetus to inherit), but are often given the shot anyway. Providers will often cite the possibility of non-paternity to give the shot in this case. (Rather insulting to quite a few women, IMHO) If the infant is Rh negative, there is no reason for the shot to be given following the birth, but it often is. Multiple pharmaceutical companies produce the shot. The thimerasol content varies widely. There is anecdotal evidence that children of Rh negative moms are more likely to have autism spectrum disorders.

In summary, the shot is important to get if you need it (i.e. you are pregnant by an Rh positive male). There may be some wiggle room if you are pregnant by an Rh negative male. Understand, the provider is going to want documentation of the partner's blood type to forgo the shot. Military "dog" tags are notoriously wrong. Red Cross blood donor cards are better. Babies are not routinely typed at birth, it is easier for the medical team to just give the mom the shot, (which the hospital then charges the insurance company for at a mark-up plus fee for the injection). Since getting the shot is usually something you can plan ahead, it is important to discuss the necessity of the treatment with your provider (and the curezone forum if you feel you are not getting accurate information from your provider).

Best of luck!!
Genie